Sask. government gives Chief Coroner more discretion to forgo public inquests into deaths in custody

The provincial government has repealed a section of legislation that made it mandatory for the Chief Coronerto hold a public inquest into all deaths in custody, unless the death was from natural causes.

The change gives the Chief Coroner the option not to proceed with a full inquest in cases where the death was caused by self-harm, or other 'obvious' causes.

• Opposition vows to fight government on what it means to 'privatize'

The coroner could also choose not to call an inquest into deaths caused by a criminal offence. In that case, the Ministry of Justice said police would investigate the matter and proceed to a public trial.

The change gives the coroner the same discretion as if the death occurred outside of custody.

Justice Minister Gordon Wyant told reporters at the legislature on Thursdaythat all deaths in custody would still be investigated by the Chief Coroner.

"There's still all the over-riding protections in terms of calling an inquest," said Wyant.

"But if he thinks it's necessary to call a public inquest to further public discord, to look at issues with respect to custody that may give rise to some protocols to prevent further in-custody deaths, then that will be his discretion to call that."

The government said the changes to the Coroner's Act were about improving the efficacy and efficiency of the coroner's office, and they would prevent duplicate investigations.

But NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer said the mandatory requirement had allowed for a level of transparency and justice.

"And for us to take a look at what went wrong, or what happened, and make sure that we put measures in place to ensure that another inmate doesn't die in the future," she said.