Peggy Sattler MPP, London West

The government of Ontario called the   Inquiry into the Safety and Security of Residents in the Long-Term Care Homes   System 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 Commissioner will report her   findings and make recommendations to the Government of Ontario, in the hope   of preventing future tragedies of this nature.

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   be an important perspective for all Inquiry team members to take throughout   the Inquiry process.

At the Community Meetings, members   of the communities most directly affected by these tragedies will have the   opportunity to learn more about the Inquiry. The Commissioner will introduce   the Inquiry team. She will explain the mandate of the Inquiry and discuss the   Inquiry’s process.

Individual residents will be given a   chance to come forward and speak about the impact these tragedies have had on   their lives. They can also ask questions about the Inquiry.

Time will be reserved at the end of   the Meetings for questions from the press.

There is no need to provide advance   notice that you plan to attend one of the meetings.

If you do know you would like to   speak at a Community Meeting, it would assist the committee in their planning   if you did pre-register.

If you would like to register to   speak at one of the Community Meetings, you can do so either by sending an   email to [email protected] or by calling the Inquiry’s   office at 1-844-280-9970. Please let the committee know the following: (1)   which meeting you plan to attend and (2) whether you would like to register   to speak at the meeting.

You are welcome to speak about how   these events have affected you (or your loved ones) and to ask questions   about the Inquiry mandate and process.

This is not, however, the   appropriate time to speak about the facts specific to the offences – or any   events related to the offences – that gave rise to the Inquiry.

The Community Meetings are not part   of the Inquiry’s formal “fact-finding” process. Fact-finding is an   investigative matter governed by rules and procedures to ensure the process   is thorough, accurate and fair. Fact-finding is not the goal of the Community   Meetings. Fact-finding will happen at a later stage in the Inquiry process.

These meetings are an opportunity   for the Commissioner to hear more about the impact of these offences,   particularly on those living in the communities most directly affected by   these events.

Yes, you are welcome to submit a   written statement explaining how you have been affected by these events. Your   statement will be reviewed by the Inquiry team. Written statements can be   sent by email to [email protected] or in writing to   the Inquiry’s Toronto office at 400 University Avenue, Suite 1800C, Toronto,   ON M7A 2R9.

There will be a moderator in place   at each of the Community Meetings. Some limits will be placed on those who   speak to ensure that all of those who wish to speak have an opportunity to do   so. Those who pre-register to speak will be given first priority in the   speaking order at the Community Meetings.

No. Participating in the Community   Meetings does not affect your ability to apply to participate in the more   formal Public Hearings.