Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System to hold Community Meetings in Woodstock and London, Ont.

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Justice Eileen E. Gillese, Commissioner of the Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System, will hold community meetings in Woodstock and London, Ontario, on October 18 and 19, 2017.

Two meetings will be held in Woodstock at the Holiday Inn, 510 Norwich Avenue, from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 6 to 8 p.m. The meeting in London will be held at the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel, 300 King Street from 5 to 7 p.m.

The purpose of the community meetings is to give members of the communities most directly affected by these tragedies an opportunity to learn more about the Inquiry.  Individual residents will be given a chance to speak about the impact these tragedies have had on their lives and to ask questions about the Inquiry.

"It is important that the Inquiry hear from residents in the communities most directly affected by these tragedies. Understanding the human impact at the outset of the Inquiry will provide an important perspective," said Commissioner Gillese.

At the community meetings, the Commissioner will introduce the Inquiry's counsel who will assist her in her work. She will also explain the Inquiry's mandate and the process the Inquiry will follow.

Time will be reserved at the end of the meetings for questions from the media.

The government of Ontario established the Inquiry shortly after Elizabeth Wettlaufer was sentenced to life imprisonment following her guilty pleas to eight counts of first degree murder, four counts of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault. All of these offences were committed while she was working as a registered nurse in Southwestern Ontario.

The Inquiry will investigate the events which led to these offences, the circumstances and contributing factors allowing these events to occur, including the effect, if any, of policies, procedures, practices and oversight mechanisms. The Inquiry also has the ability to consider other relevant matters that the Commissioner considers necessary to avoid similar tragedies. The Inquiry is required to report by July 31, 2019.

The Inquiry's website is at www.longtermcareinquiry.ca

Order in Council http://www.longtermcareinquiry.ca/li/pdf/OIC.pdf

SOURCE The Public Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes System

Peter Rehak, [email protected], Telephone (cell) 437-776-4123