'Justice delayed is justice denied': Families, justice experts decry public fatality inquiry backlog
CTV
Public fatality inquiries are meant to help clarify the circumstances of certain deaths, with the goal of preventing similar deaths and protecting the public. But critics say the system is not working.
Alberta holds public fatality inquiries every year.
The inquiries are meant to help clarify the circumstances of certain deaths, with the goal of preventing similar deaths and protecting the public.
But critics say the system is not working, in part because of a major backlog including deaths from more than a decade ago.
"Justice delayed is justice denied and that's what's happening here," said Doug King, justice studies professor at Mount Royal University.
One hundred and one incidents fill Alberta's list of unscheduled fatality inquiries.
The oldest dates back to 2013.
There are also 34 more cases waiting for public fatality inquiries due to pending investigations and criminal matters.
