Coroner's inquests now ban unauthorized photos, recordings and dissemination — with fines up to $25,000

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new section of the Coroners Act prohibits anyone from taking photos, audio or video recordings at a coroner's inquest, of people entering or leaving the inquest room, or of people in the building who appear to be attending the inquest. It is also prohibited to publish, broadcast or otherwise share any material taken in violation of these rules. Limited exceptions exist: unobtrusive note-taking and sketching are still allowed, and audio recordings for note-supplementing purposes are permitted for parties with standing and journalists if the presiding coroner authorizes it. The coroner can also authorize recordings for presenting evidence, with consent of all parties, or for ceremonial proceedings. Anyone who contravenes these rules faces a fine of up to $25,000, up to six months imprisonment, or both. Separately, the Chief Forensic Pathologist's training responsibilities have been reorganized to distinguish postgraduate training of new pathologists from continuing education programs for those already providing services.

Who this affects: journalists covering inquests · members of the public attending inquests · legal representatives and parties with standing at inquests · Ontario Forensic Pathology Service and forensic pathologists · coroners presiding at inquests