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VIA EMAIL
Ministry of the Solicitor General
25 Grosvenor Street, 18th floorToronto, OntarioM7A 1Y6
Subject: Request to hold an inquest into the Death of Nicholas Nembhard .
Dear Chief Coroner Dr. Huyer and Chief Forensic Pathologist Dr. Pollanen:
With a deep sense of urgency, we are writing to you on behalf of Disabled People across Ontario, who have been brought together in grief and outrage over the tragic death of Nicholas Nembhard and the 20 June 2024 SIU report clearing the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) of wrongdoing. We echo and amplify the call of local organizations in Waterloo Region and join their request that you consider opening an inquest into the circumstances of his death.
As others have noted, the circumstances surrounding Nicholas’ death are not only tragic but deeply troubling. Nicholas, a 31-year-old Black man experiencing a mental health crisis and in need of support, was tased twice by a WRPS officer using a Conducted Energy Weapon before being fatally shot twice by another WRPS officer using a firearm. We respectfully request that you open an inquest as we believe that Nicholas’ death was unjustifiable and an unreasonable use of force. The intersection of Blackness and disability is one we are well familiar with as a site of over-policing and death—we cannot allow Nicholas’ murder by police to go unchallenged or left without proper investigation.
As members of his community have said clearly: Nicholas was more than just a statistic or a victim of a tragic incident—he was a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, and a pillar of strength for his family, as well as a valued member of our Waterloo Region community. Known for his unwavering commitment to his family, he played an indispensable role in supporting his loved ones, both here in Canada and in Jamaica. His sudden and violent death has left an irreplaceable void in their lives, and has shattered their community. This deeply troubling and devastating act of state violence underscores serious systemic issues of police violence and brutality, anti-Black racism, white supremacy, colonial power, and ableism, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and transformative justice.
As concerned members of the community across Ontario, we are united in demanding transparency, accountability, and justice for Nicholas, his family, and for all racialized disabled people that share in the fear and threat created by WRPS’ actions. We implore you to take immediate action and commit to initiating a coroner's inquest to thoroughly and impartially investigate the events leading to Nicholas’ tragic death without delay, including the response of the WRPS and any factors contributing to the outcome.
We echo the local community and know that an inquiry is crucial not only for uncovering the truth but also for addressing systemic issues that contributed to this tragedy, and ensuring that similar tragedies are prevented in the future. This is not just a matter of procedural formality but a moral imperative. It is a critical step towards accountability and healing in the face of profound loss and injustice.
Thank you for your immediate attention to this urgent matter. We anticipate your swift response and unwavering commitment to pursuing justice for Nicholas and his grieving family.
In grief and solidarity,
Brad Evoy, Executive Director, Disability Justice Network of Ontario
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