The coroner's jury made two recommendations. (file photo)

By Susan McNeil

McDonald inquest

Jury makes two recommendations in McDonald inquest

Mar 7, 2025 | 12:00 PM

The six-member jury for the inquest into the death of Dillon McDonald made two recommendations after several days of testimony.

First, they recommended that the RCMP continue to enhance the number of Indigenous officers at all levels in line with recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Their second recommendation was to have the RCMP continue to provide training in First Nation cultural diversity and related areas.

The inquest began on Monday and concluded on Wednesday.

Juries are tasked with finalizing the manner, cause, time and details of a death and making recommendations for change.

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The recommendations are not binding and the inquest is not a criminal investigation. It has the purpose of trying to find out if something can be learned from a death (usually of a person in custody or involved with police) and then making whatever recommendations for change members feel is necessary.

The case of McDonald, who died after an interaction with RCMP officers in Montreal Lake in 2021, his death is considered a homicide because he was shot. No criminal charges were laid however as the officers were responding to the situation and McDonald was holding a gun at the time.

He had refused multiple orders to drop the weapon.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcnel.bksy.social