Haynes: Coroner Camel ready to find truth after latest Quebec tragedy

Previously warned as a risk to public safety Géhane Kamel, the coroner whose history of mental illness rocked Montreal residents in the chilling drama of being shot dead by police after randomly assassinating three strangers.

Quebec's chief medical examiner, her Pasacle Descary , tapped to preside over an inquest to unravel this tragic tragedy. It was this ruthless, stern and fearless Inquisitor who did. Kamel already understands some of Quebec's worst disasters.

Last fall, she delivered a shocking report about the death of Joyce Echaquan. Atikamekw, the mother of her seven children, live-streamed her own final moments of being abused in her words by staff while dying at a hospital in Joliet in 2020. This became the George of Quebec equivalent of her Floyd moment.

Camel's findings, particularly that Echaquan was a victim of systemic racism,suggest that while racism exists in Quebec, systemic racism It challenged Prime Minister François Legault's stubborn claim that it does not exist.

Camel also undertook the formidable task of revealing how a resident of a public long-term care facility in Quebec died alone and in filthy conditions early in the pandemic. accepted. Heron's private facility in Dorval. She pulled back the curtain of bureaucratic opacity, summoned ministers, summoned senior civil servants, and undermined their credibility.

Camel will have its hands full again. Her mission is not just to look at the gaping gaps in mental health care and how the justice system treats patients with psychiatric problems, but also the Montreal response to the rapidly progressing investigation. It is also possible to investigate the response of the police.

Lots of unpacking.

In her two days last week, three people were shot while doing business in Montreal and Laval. André Fernand Lemieux, father of boxer David Lemieux, was out for a walk. His Mohamed Salah Belhaj,a father of two children, made the fateful decision to take the bus to the hospital's night shift. Construction worker Alex Levy-Clevier was skateboarding.

If the chilling continuity of these killings wasn't immediately apparent in a city on the rise of sporadic gun violence, police would banish suspects in sketchy motels. Didn't associate death immediately before finding out. He died in an apparent confrontation with the police.

Another dimension comes as it is revealed that Abdullah Sheikh was not criminally responsible for a string of bizarre break-ins at Trudeau and Mirabel airports in 2018. added. Questions were quickly raised as to why he was released by the commission last spring, despite being described as a "serious risk" to public safety.

Trade unions representing health workers in the psychiatric department of Laval's Cité de la Santé subsequently told Paul Cherry of the Montreal Gazette thatSaid the Sheikh threatened his staff more than. More sinister than the usual kind of threats they receive from their patients. La Presse, meanwhile, revealed a severe shortage of staff inoutpatient psychiatric care

. Any follow-up (or lack thereof) received by the sheikh will be the basis for the coroner's inquest.

So did the police operation that led to Sheikh's death. The Montreal police were praised for their quick connection to the seemingly disjointed shooting and the identification of the suspect. But whenever a person dies while interacting with police, it is cause for concern.

The Independent Investigation Service is already investigating the matter in accordance with its mandate . But Kamel may have her own doubts in a city where police shootings of mentally afflicted people, especially those from minority groups, have often come under scrutiny.

Kamel's research promises sharp insight, the ability to put details into perspective, and sharp questions that get to the heart of the matter. But you can also expect compassion.

Her approach would once again put her at odds with Lego, who frowned on her for her insensitive remarks.

"I'm glad I kicked him out." 86},” said Leghort.

Lego said she didn't mean to sound like she was "joying" the death of someone with severe psychological problems, which she tried after protesting. However, the prime minister's inappropriate choice of words seemed to exacerbate the tragic situation, further blaming mental illness and justifying the police firing. If anyone can shed some needed light through the cracks in the system, it's Kamel.

ahanes@postmedia.com

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