The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is asking B.C.’s Ombudsperson’s office to investigate the sudden resignation of the province’s Chief Coroner. The Association is concerned that political interference in the independent Coroner’s office may have led to the resignation.

“The Coroner has a critical role to play in our province, to investigate and report the unvarnished truth about sudden or unexpected deaths,” said Robert Homes, President of the BCCLA. “The sudden resignation of a well-regarded professional from this role is a red flag for us that the independence of this office may be under threat.”

Dr. Diane Rothon, who was appointed Chief Coroner just eight months ago, resigned her position on December 13, refusing to disclose the reasons for the resignation. The Provincial Government has not disclosed the reasons for the resignation, and the B.C. Coroners Service will not comment on the resignation.

“Reducing the independence of the Coroner makes British Columbians less safe, and reduces the already precarious oversight of our police and jail authorities,” said Holmes. “That’s why the law makes it illegal to interfere with our Chief Coroner and that’s why we’ve asked the Ombudsperson’s office to investigate.”

The B.C. Coroners Service holds a trial-like inquest for almost every police-involved death in the province and makes recommendations to prevent similar deaths.

Many recent Coroner’s Inquest and Inquiry recommendations have put political pressure on the provincial government to invest in drug treatment, mental health services and sobering centres. Media reports suggest the provincial government may have been responding by forcing the Chief Coroner to file reports on deaths with the Province’s public relations bureau before the reports were released to the public.

Read the BCCLA’s Ombudsperson complaint here

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Robert Holmes, President, 604-681-1310
David Eby, Executive Director, 604-630-9752