Friday, March 11, 2011

Ontario Court of Appeal Orders Judicial Inquiry into local jury rolls

The Ontario Appeal Court has ordered a judicial inquiry into whether the jury roll in northwestern Ontario represents the community.

The court decision comes from concerns about aboriginal representation on juries in two coroners' inquests.

The families of Jacy Pierre, who died of an overdose in jail, and Reggie Bushie, went to the court after they couldn't get answers from officials on the roll used for the inquest juries.

The juries are taken from a roll compiled by the sheriff from municipal assessment lists but aboriginals living on reserves are not on the list.

Terry Waboose, of the Nishnawbe Aski Nation, says the decision confirms the extent of stonewalling from government they have faced.