The case of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, a 29-year-old Black woman who died in May 2020 during an encounter with Toronto police, has drawn significant public attention and sparked discussions around police conduct and systemic racism in Canada.
Here is a timeline of key events in the case:
2020
May 27, 2020: Regis Korchinski-Paquet is reported to have fallen from the balcony of her apartment while police were present. Emergency services are called, but she is pronounced dead at the scene.
May 28, 2020: The Special Investigations Unit (SIU), which investigates incidents involving police that result in death or serious injury, is called to investigate the circumstances surrounding Korchinski-Paquet’s death.
June 2020: Protests erupt across Toronto and other cities in Canada, calling for justice for Korchinski-Paquet and highlighting issues of police violence against Black individuals.
June 2020: The family of Korchinski-Paquet holds a press conference, demanding transparency in the investigation and accountability from the police.
2021
February 2021: The SIU announces that it will not lay charges against the officers involved in Korchinski-Paquet’s death, stating that there are no reasonable grounds to believe that the officers committed a criminal offense.
March 2021: The family of Korchinski-Paquet expresses disappointment in the SIU’s decision and continues to seek justice through civil avenues.
July 2021: The City of Toronto announces that it will conduct a review of its police policies and procedures in response to community concerns raised during the protests.
2022
January 2022: The Ontario Human Rights Commission releases a report on systemic racism in policing, which includes references to the Korchinski-Paquet case as part of a broader discussion on the treatment of Black individuals by law enforcement.
April 2022: The family files a civil lawsuit against the Toronto Police Service, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
2023
March 2023: The civil lawsuit progresses, with both sides exchanging evidence and preparing for potential court proceedings.
October 2023: Community groups continue to advocate for systemic changes in policing, using Korchinski-Paquet’s case as a focal point in their efforts to address racial disparities in law enforcement.
The Regis Korchinski-Paquet case remains a significant touchpoint in discussions about police accountability and systemic racism in Canada, with ongoing calls for reform and justice from her family and community advocates.