Iqaluit (June 09/03) - They see dead people.

But many of Canada's Chief coroners, who met at the Frobisher Inn for two days last week, often work in isolation and don't get to talk a lot about what they do.

So they jump at the chance to meet once a year, share ideas and compare notes.

"We're all doing the same thing," said Tim Neily, Nunavut's coroner.

This was the first time the conference was held in Iqaluit.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to look at common issues."

"I find it very, very helpful," said Percy Kinney, coroner for the NWT. "All of us seem to exist a little bit in a vacuum. We deal with our own issues, and our own resources. It's nice once a year to get together and share your concerns."

The 13 coroners from every province and territory discussed a wide scope of issues, many of which they had to remain tight-lipped about because the information comes directly from ongoing cases before the courts.

But Neily could say the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) gave them a presentation about different types of counterfeit drugs that can lead to death.

Organ and tissue donation was another hot topic.

"As chief coroners, we could have a direct impact in helping to provide suitable donors for tissue transplants," he said. "We get a lot of information provided to us to help us do our jobs."

Kinney said the challenges facing Nunavut, an area he once oversaw before the creation of Nunavut as a territory in 1999, are close to his heart. But, he added "it could be brutal at times."

Nunavut relies on Ottawa and Alberta for autopsies because the territory doesn't conduct their own. The NWT and Yukon also ship bodies down south for autopsies.

"It's eye opening for the people down south who are involved peripherally with our cases," Kinney said. "They get to understand a little bit of the remoteness, the transportation headaches we deal with on a regular basis."

According to Neily, about 14 autopsies are performed for Nunavut in the south each year.

"(In the North) you're dealing with two jurisdictions.

"If somebody is injured in Iqaluit, medevaced to Ottawa and dies there, it's actually an Ontario death. So you get this dual jurisdictional investigation going on."

The yearly meetings are meant to solidify those distant coroner relationships that are a fact of life.

"Without this dialogue, it would be very difficult," said Kinney.

Dr. Simon Avis from Newfoundland and Labrador hosted this conference last year. He said he can relate to the Northern feeling of being somewhat removed from the rest of Canada.

"Obviously being in relatively isolated communities, being allowed to discuss things with people who are a little bit further south is valuable.

"My province is very small. Essentially I'm on my own.

"The chance to discuss things with my colleagues who may have more experience is of great importance," he said.

Kinney said that while most people may not think so, coroners do have a well-developed sense of humour, often best appreciated at these yearly meetings.

"It is a tough job. And sometimes we laugh to keep from crying," he said.