Coroner ordered to investigate
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Feb 19/01) - Word that the chief coroner will investigate a tuberculosis death has been welcomed by MLAs and the woman's family.
Last week, Health Minister Jane Groenewegen ordered coroner Percy Kinney to find out what went wrong in the death of 52-year-old Effie Blake.
The Fort McPherson teacher died from TB last summer. Blake's youngest daughter, Maria Blake, had called for a public inquiry into the death because she believes her mother should still be alive.
"I'm shocked they approved," she said.
Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko raised the issue last Wednesday when the Legislative Assembly resumed sitting. His demand the Health Minister launch a public inquiry into Blake's death was met with a positive response.
Groenewegen said the Coroner's office was the best office for such an investigation.
"We looked at the Coroner's office and the work they do and the system is already in place (for this type of investigation)," said Groenewegen.
Krutko said he was pleased and surprised with Groenewegen's quick action.
"It's better than I expected," said Krutko.
Former Health Minister and Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland was also pleased.
"I think it's a proactive step to move in that direction," said Roland.
Kinney said that although the Blake case doesn't quite fit under the criteria of the territory's Coroner's Act, he's willing to undertake the investigation.
"It was not a reportable case, the only thing about it I know is in the newspaper," said Kinney.
Blake's death of TB is considered to be from natural causes and she died in Edmonton. Both fall outside Kinney's jurisdiction.
"This is the first time a government minister has called me to investigate a death," he said.
Kinney will gather all information surrounding the case and then decide to either hold a formal inquest or compile a coroner's report. Both will be public.
What makes Effie Blake's case unusual is the fact the TB went undiagnosed at Inuvik Regional Hospital and the Fort McPherson Health Centre for weeks.
