The BC Coroners Service will hold a public inquest into the death of Florence Marie Girard in Burnaby, beginning Monday, Jan. 13, 2025.

The inquest will be held at the Burnaby Coroner’s Court (20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown, Burnaby), starting at 9:30 a.m.

The death of Girard, 54, was reported to the BC Coroners Service on Oct. 13, 2018, in Port Coquitlam.

The inquest was directed under Section 18(3)(a) of the Coroners Act, where the public has an interest in being informed of the circumstances surrounding the death and Section 18(3)(b) where the death was from a dangerous practice or circumstance, and similar deaths could be prevented through recommendations.

A coroner’s inquest is a non-fault-finding public inquiry that serves three primary functions:

• to determine the facts related to a death, including the identity of the deceased and how, when, where and by what means the individual came to their death, as well as a classification for the death;
• to make recommendations, where appropriate and supported by evidence, to prevent deaths in similar circumstances; and
• to ensure public confidence that the circumstances surrounding the death of an individual will not be overlooked, concealed or ignored.

Donita Kuzma, presiding coroner, and a jury will hear evidence from witnesses under oath to determine the facts surrounding this death. The jury will have the opportunity to make recommendations aimed at preventing deaths under similar circumstances. A jury must not make any finding of legal responsibility or express any conclusion of law.

Livestreaming allows the public and media to virtually attend an inquest. The same rules apply as for in-person attendance at an inquest. Reproduction, broadcasting and publishing of inquest proceedings are prohibited, including through social media. Supreme Court-accredited media are permitted to record the proceeding solely for the accuracy of their notes; the recording is not to be broadcast in any form. Accredited media members must provide proof to the sheriff and always visibly display their accreditation when they are recording or using electronic devices in court. Recording for any other purpose or by anyone without appropriate accreditation is strictly prohibited. 

Learn More:

For more information on inquests, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts

To access the livestream, visit:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/life-events/death/coroners-service/inquest-schedule-jury-findings-verdicts/inquestlivestream

BC Coroners Service: http://www.gov.bc.ca/coroners/