Coroner's inquest into Sault inmate's suicide death
A coroner's inquest into the 2021 suicide of a Sault Ste. Marie inmate began Monday morning and is expected to last five days.
Jordan Paim, 30, died in his cell at Algoma Treatment and Remand Centre on July 20, 2021.
"The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Paim’s death," the solicitor general said in a news release.
"The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths."
Eight witnesses will be called to testify, including health care workers at the institution and a local Indigenous provider.
The inquest will examine screening, assessment, treatment and management of people in custody who are at risk of suicide as well as review policies and training of medical staff.
Struggled with addiction and mental health
While the intent of the inquest is not to lay blame and doesn't include his criminal record or reasons he was in custody, Shruti Ramesh mentioned in her opening statement that Paim was brought to the hospital for an overdose Dec. 18, 2020, by police before taking him into custody.
During his intake, he detailed his medical history, including his treatment for ADHD, anxiety and a substance use disorder.
He had been regularly accessing methadone, which continued in custody before starting psychotherapy through Maamwesying.
Over several months, he indicated he wanted to get off the medication but reported hearing voices and having hallucinations.
He was put on suicide watch June 28-30 and was referred to a psychiatrist.
Overlooked and underestimated
Paim was characterized by his sister in a statement on behalf of his family as being overlooked and underestimated from a young age.
Sensitive and fiercely loyal, he turned to drugs to deal with his mental health struggles, her statement said.
The inquest is expected to continue until Friday and can be viewed by video conference.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Singh calls on Canada to stop critical minerals exports to U.S. amid Trump tariff threat
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says the only way to deal with 'bully' U.S. president-elect Donald Trump and his looming tariff threat is to make him feel the 'pain' of Canada's retaliatory measures.
Norovirus cases are rising in Canada. Here's advice from a doctor
Canadian health officials are reporting a rising number of cases of the highly contagious norovirus disease in Canada, warning that the elderly and young children are most at risk.
Four youths arrested after teenager stabbed during altercation inside Hillcrest High School
Two people were seriously injured during an altercation at an Ottawa high school on Monday morning. Ottawa police say four youths are in custody.
Alberta premier talks about 'tariff-free relationship' with the U.S.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her conversations with U.S. President Donald Trump went well, but the leader's tariff threat has not been averted.
Francois-Philippe Champagne to announce Tuesday if he's running for leader
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne plans to reveal Tuesday whether he will run in the upcoming party leadership race to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Canada and U.S. warships join forces in South China Sea through contested waters
The United States Navy's USS Higgins joined HMCS Ottawa in the South China Sea, near the contested Scarborough Shoal, on Thursday. The two warships travelled south together towards the Spratly Islands – a number of which China has militarized.
'You just don't roll over:' Doug Ford refuses to take energy threat off table as he pitches closer mineral relationship with U.S.
Premier Doug Ford is proposing a closer relationship with the U.S. when it comes to critical minerals while at the same time boasting that the province won’t 'roll over' should president-elect Donald Trump follow through on his threatened tariffs upon taking office next week.
Bishop's students allege teacher uses degrading terms, university doing nothing
Students at Bishop's University in Sherbrooke, Que., say they're shocked and appalled by the school's apparent lack of action over a teacher they allege has been using derogatory language in her classroom for years.
Canada Post stamps just got more expensive
Canada Post is raising the price of stamps, starting today. Stamps purchased in a booklet, coil or pane will cost 25 cents more at $1.24 per stamp. The price of a single domestic stamp is now $1.44, up from $1.15.