Killer former nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer could be called to testify at a public inquiry into the safety and security of residents at Ontario's long-term care homes.
Two members of Justice Eileen Gillese's four-person commission, tasked with examining the circumstances and contributing factors that allowed Wettlaufer to murder eight seniors in her care, were in London Thursday to outline the scope of the inquiry.
Inquiry lead counsel William McDowell and senior counsel Elizabeth Hewitt speak in London, August 3, 2017. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News.)
Lead counsel William McDowell and senior counsel Elizabeth Hewitt told reporters the inquiry's first priority will be to meet with the families of Wettlaufer's victims. But McDowell was quick to point out an inquiry is not a trial.
"At this point, no one else is facing criminal charges, nor do the commission proceedings have anything to do with any civil actions or regulatory proceedings which may be ongoing," said McDowell.
It's expected the inquiry will be divided into two broad areas; the factual circumstances surrounding the ex-nurse's crimes, and how existing legislative and regulatory framework might have contributed to allowing her offences to occur.
While admitting it is too early to comment on whether Wettlaufer will testify before the commission, McDowell said it's not something they're ruling out.
"The commissioner has the power to subpoena anyone she believes could give relevant evidence," said McDowell. "There is no reason to believe [Wettlaufer] would be excluded but it is a question, as with any witness, of assessing the costs and benefits of doing that."
Gillese, an Ontario Court of Appeal Justice, was appointed by the province as the commissioner of the inquiry on Tuesday. She and the rest of her commission began work immediately , holding a six-hour meeting later that day.
"This is a dreadful set of facts," said McDowell. "This one is really horrific at its core. We have to make sure that this never happens again."
Community meetings will be held in October, after the commission has met with the victims' families. Public evidentiary hearings would begin in May 2018. It's expected those hearings will be held in at a southwestern Ontario courthouse.
A final report with recommendations will be presented to the attorney general by July 31, 2019. The total cost of the inquiry is not yet known.
Susan Horvath, whose father Arpad Horvath Sr. was murdered by Wettlaufer at Meadow Park in August 2014, was present at Thursday's news conference. She expressed a need for victims' family members to be kept in the loop throughout the entire inquiry process.
"This is our flesh and blood that got murdered," said Horvath.
McDowell said victims' families can seek standing at the inquiry and suggest questions to commission counsel that they feel should be asked.
Wettlaufer pleaded guilty in June to eight counts of first degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and two counts of aggravated assault. The murders occurred between 2007 and 2014 in nursing homes in Woodstock and London. The 50-year-old former nurse, the worst health care serial killer in Canadian history, is now serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
