A Quebec coroner looking at the death of Raphaël “Napa” André, a homeless Innuy man whose body was found inside a portable toilet in Montreal in January 2021, during the Covid-19 pandemic, concluded that his death was preventable.
In a report made public on Thursday, the Forensic Stéphanie Gamache wrote that it was impossible for her to conclude that “that Mr. André was solely responsible for his destiny.”
The 51-year-old man of the Innu community of Matimekush-Lac John died due to hypothermia in a context of severe alcohol poisoning, but Gamache wrote that there were systemic failures that also contributed to his death.
“If a door had opened and if I had a place heated and sure to stay at night, it is clear to me … that I would not have died, even if it was very intoxicated due to alcohol,” he said.
His body was found by a shelter in Parc Avenue, which had been closed by public health officials due to plumbing problems and a COVID-19 outbreak.
Quebec had also imposed a nocturnal curfew touch to stop the spread of the virus.
In his 75 -page report, Gamache indicated several gaps or failures in terms of care and access to André’s services in the months prior to his death.
The 23 recommendations issued in their report aimed to prevent another death in similar circumstances.
These recommendations focused on five issues identified by Gamache as ways to strengthen the security network that says it is necessary to help people who experience the lack of housing to recover their legitimate place in our society.
First emphasized the importance of guaranteeing the centralized monitoring of the homeless population that consult various facilities within the health network.
He also focused on the need to develop facilities that can accommodate intoxicated customers and have acquired brain injuries.
Gamache also stressed the need to put cultural security in the heart of initiatives to help people experience the lack of housing.
The fourth topic deepens the particular context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gamache said that the specific needs of vulnerable populations, such as those who experience the lack of housing, should be considered and taken into account when making emergency decisions.
Finally, Gamache pointed out the need for permanent funds for resources that provide emergency refuge.
The Gamache report follows the public consultation audiences that were held between May 13 and June 10, 2024, and included the participation of 51 witnesses.
Among them were Réal McKenzie, head of the Innu community of Matimekush-Lac John, as well as the brother, sister-in-law and mother of André who, Gamache said, traveled from his community to testify.
Gamache expressed his gratitude for his testimony and extended his condolences to the family and the community.
This is a development story. More to come …
