Skip to content

Call goes out for coroners

It's not a part-time job for everyone, but a call has been issued for people interested in becoming community coroners in Hay River and area.

The call for interest – including an ad in The Hub – has come from Cathy Menard, the chief coroner of the NWT in Yellowknife.

Cathy Menard, the chief coroner of the NWT, would like to see a couple of more community coroners for Hay River and area. photo courtesy of Cathy Menard

"There is a real need right now in Hay River so I just decided to put something in the paper just to try to draw more attention," said Menard.

"There are two coroners there and have been for a number of years, but both of them are retired and they're travelling more and they have cabins and stuff," she noted. "So there have been a few times that they've both been out of town at the same time. It's important to try to have coverage in the community at all times."

Menard said the absence of a coroner in Hay River is an "occasional occurrence" that she would like to correct.

The goal is to get a couple of more coroners in addition to the current ones, she added. "It depends on the right candidates, but I would like to see at least two more come in."

When there is no coroner in Hay River and a call comes it, Menard or her deputy chief coroner take jurisdiction long distance on a case.

"But it's a bit easier if someone is there in the community, boots on the ground, doing the work in person," she said.

Depending on the case, Menard or the deputy chief coroner might also travel to Hay River.

Menard said coroners are mandated to provide independent investigations of all sudden, unexpected and unexplained deaths in the NWT.

"So the coroner is responsible for determining the identity of the deceased, and how, when and where, and by what means, the person came to their death," she said. "The coroner service is a fact-finding, not a fault-finding, agency that provides an independent service to the family, to the community, to government agencies and other organizations."

Community coroners attend the scenes of death, liaise with police and other emergency responders, conduct an examination, complete coroner documentation, provide information and guidance, and report to the chief coroner.

In their role, coroners can work with a number of organizations, including the RCMP, the Fire Marshal's Office, the Workers' Compensation Commission and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.

"What we're seeking is somebody who's a mature, compassionate, community individual to work as a coroner on an as-and-when basis," said Menard.

She admitted the role is not something everyone can do, noting it involves communicating with individuals in sensitive and emotional circumstances.

Menard described being a coroner as very important to communities.

"I'm a Northerner investigating Northern deaths, and I've always felt that I was in a helping role, and that's always been very important to me," she said. "And so for a lot of people that are Northerners like myself that are in these roles I think they find it very interesting and they find it challenging, and they enjoy being part of that team. It's innovative, inclusive and rewarding work to do."

Menard said community coroners come from all walks of life.

"They bring a variety of experience with them," she said, noting classroom and practical training is offered.

"A coroner in Hay River would be very fortunate because there are two senior coroners there who would take them under their wings on cases until they felt comfortable going on their own, which really is a blessing for that person to have that expertise every step of the way," she said.

The ideal candidates would be people who are going to be in the community for a while, Menard added. "Because it takes a lot of resources to get this person up so they're running on their own as a coroner. So it's better if it's somebody from the North who's interested in doing it."

Menard said the role of a community coroner would be suitable for someone who is currently working or a retiree.

"I'd like to see more young people in the coroner service," she said. "It can be difficult for young people who have that kind of flexibility with their full-time position, because this is not a full-time position. So it can be difficult, but there are different companies that are willing to be community minded too, and they would support a staff member who wanted to be a coroner or a volunteer firefighter on that kind of basis."

Coroners operate in the NWT under territorial legislation, and are part of the Department of Justice.