Quebec’s chief coroner is ordering a public inquiry into the deaths of residents at long-term care homes during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“This entirely public process will allow the Quebec population to be informed of the facts raised during the hearings and to follow reflection on this important social issue,” the coroner’s office said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Coroner Géhane Kamel will preside over the inquiry into deaths that occurred in long-term care homes, private seniors’ residences and other facilities. Kamel had been assigned to investigate the deaths at the private Residence Herron in Dorval, where dozens of deaths were first reported in April.
Dr. Jacques Ramsay, a coroner with medical training, has also been tapped to assist in the process.
The inquiry will specifically focus on deaths that occurred in those facilities from March 12 to May 1. They must also have been reported to the coroner’s office due to suspected circumstances surrounding the death, such as violence and negligence.
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The health crisis has forced the province’s elder care system under the microscope. Many of the deaths attributable COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, originated in Quebec’s embattled long-term care homes.
Seniors Minister Marguerite Blais said on Wednesday the provincial government will co-operate with the inquiry.
“We have a law about mistreatment and abuse of people who are living in CHSLDs and if I have to reopen this law to make it stronger, I will do it,” she said.
Quebec is the province hit hardest by the health crisis, and as of Wednesday, it saw another 29 deaths for a total of 5,298. The province also leads the country in caseload at 54,263 infections.
Last week, Premier François Legault said the numbers in Quebec are improving but that long-term care homes remain in a “difficult situation.” The government has also recruited 10,000 people to study and become orderlies starting in September.
Inquiry welcomed by families
The public inquiry is welcome news for the families of coronavirus victims who died in long-term care homes.
Clifford Albert’s grandfather was a resident at the Herron in Dorval. Sam Abracen died at the age of 102 during the pandemic, leaving his family with questions around the circumstances of his death.
Albert said he doesn’t know if his grandfather was alone when he passed away.
“Hopefully with this inquiry’s that going to go on, they are going to learn something and be better prepared if something like this happens again so families don’t have to go through this,” he said.
Keira Whitehead, whose father also died at the Herron, said nothing will bring loved ones back but she is pleased to know the circumstances surrounding their deaths will be investigated.
“I’m happy about that,” she said.
— With files from Global News’ Gloria Henriquez and the Canadian Press
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