The public inquiry into the actions of killer former nurse Elizabeth Wettlaufer will get underway in St. Thomas on Tuesday.
Led by Commissioner Eileen Gillese, an Ontario Court of Appeal Justice and a former Western University law dean, the inquiry will examine the circumstances and contributing factors that allowed Wettlaufer to murder eight seniors in her care.
The public hearings are being held at the Elgin County Courthouse in St. Thomas during the weeks of June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 16, 23, 30, August 6, and September 24.
Among those granted permission to participate in the hearings is Beverly Bertram, a surviving victim who Wettlaufer admitted to trying to murder in her home. Standing at the inquiry was also granted to Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the two nursing homes were Wettlaufer's crimes took place, and the College of Nurses of Ontario, which is responsible for regulating nurses in the province.
Wettlaufer pleaded guilty in June of last year to eight counts of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted murder, and two counts of aggravated assault. She told the court how she injected her victims with insulin and how, as she often worked nights, and had access to insulin supplies. Her confession spoke of a “red surge” that was the result of anger about her job and her life, which led to the urge to kill. The murders occurred between 2007 and 2014 in nursing homes in Woodstock and London. The ex-nurse is currently serving a life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Gillese was appointed in August by the province as the commissioner of the inquiry into the safety and security of residents at Ontario’s long-term care homes. She will present her final report with recommendations to the Attorney General by July 31, 2019.
The public hearings will run Monday to Thursday each week from 9:30am to 1pm. and 2pm to 4:30pm , with short morning and afternoon breaks.
