Kimberly Rogers Inquest Alerts

Kimberly Rogers Inquest - Fri., Nov. 8, 2002 - Day 19
Steering Committee on Social Assistance (SCSA)
Summary

The Administrator continued in cross-examination today. He told the inquest that in response to the zero tolerance laws imposed by the government, the City of Sudbury had concerns about the impact that the life time ban would have on families with children, but that this was not a concern prior to the life time ban. He told of the policies the City put in place for cases to be referred to the police for fraud investigation, and that those policies do not include taking into account the circumstances of a single person, only persons with children. Prior to the life time ban, he told the jury that the City did not have any concerns about imposing a 3 month suspension because he did not feel it to be unduly harsh. He talked of the ongoing 3 month sanctions for other non compliance issues that are currently imposed and of no cause for concern as it happens all the time.

The Administrator stated that the City has not yet given any consideration to providing assistance to those convicted of welfare fraud and facing the life time ban, as it has asked the Province to rescind the law, considering the effect it has on families with children. The Province has not responded to City's request and they are waiting for the Province to deal with the issue.

Also of significance is the Administrator's belief that he has little discretion in referring people for police investigation. He told the jury that the City did their job in creating policies around those cases which would be referred, and that his discretion was not unlimited. When asked to direct the jury to the legislation indicating he had little discretion over which cases would be sent for fraud prosecution, he agreed there was no such provision. He said he has a duty to follow the policies put in place by the City for fraud referrals.

The Administrator will continue cross-examination on November 18, 2002.

Special interest parties with standing submitted the names of proposed expert witnesses to the Coroner. The Coroner has allowed the following proposed expert witnesses (subject to qualifying) to give evidence within very specific scopes of interest:

OSSN/SCSA - Ian Morrison, Margaret Little, and Jacqueline Thompson
SSPC - Janet Gaspirini (SSPC) and Penny Sutcliff (Medical Officer of Health, City of Sudbury)
EFRY/LEAF/NAPO - Kim Pate and Bruce Porter

The parties must submit a more detailed "Will Say" along with any reports or research they will be relying on by November 13, 2002.

- Margo Ayers (SCSA)

---There will be a one week adjournment of the inquest ---