Ontario to do away with mandatory coroner’s inquests on construction site deaths

TORONTO — Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says the province intends to do away with mandatory coroner’s inquests for workers who died on constructions sites.

In its place, the province will conduct an annual review of construction site deaths in an effort to alleviate pressure on overloaded coroners.

The changes are part of a new omnibus bill the province is set to table today.

Attorney General Doug Downey says the government is also proposing legislation that would make it easier for victims of crimes to sue their offenders.

He says it would do this by not forcing victims of crime to prove their distress in the civil court system.

The bill would also allow firefighters to issue fines for certain violations, akin to parking tickets.