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Advocacy groups have standing at Rogers inquest

Several advocacy groups have been granted standing at the upcoming coroner?s inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers. Ontario Coroner Dr.
Sudbury.com Staff

Several advocacy groups have been granted standing at the upcoming coroner?s inquest into the death of Kimberly Rogers.

Ontario Coroner Dr. David Eden has granted standing to the Ontario Social Safety NetWork (OSSN) and the Ontario Legal Clinics? Steering Committee on Social Assistance. OSSN members include grassroots low-income organizations, social service agencies, faith groups and others who are concerned with social-assistance policy in Ontario.

Rogers, 40, died while under house arrest for welfare fraud in August 2001. One of the key issues to be probed at the inquest, which begins Oct. 15, is how welfare rules and policies are related to the circumstances surrounding her death.

The SCSA represents caseworkers from community legal aid clinics who advise and represent people having problems with Ontario Works and the Ontario Disability Support Program.

The coroner stated granting both these organizations standing would offer the inquest jury ?a valuable perspective that otherwise would not have come forward.?

Other public interest groups granted standing include the Sudbury Social Planning Council, the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies, the National Anti-Poverty Organization, the National Association of Women and Law and the Women?s Legal Education and Assistance Fund.