May 11, 1998
To:Corporate Services Committee
From:H.W.O. Doyle
Subject:Inquest into the Death of Kenneth Au-Yeung
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to advise that an Inquest into the death of Kenneth Au-Yeung is scheduled to commence on
June 17, 1998.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no municipal costs associated with this matter.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
(1)the City Solicitor be authorized to represent the City of Toronto at the Inquest into the death of Kenneth Au-Yeung; and
(2)this report be forwarded to the Urban Environment and Development Committee for its information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
A notice has been received regarding an Inquest into the death of Kenneth Au-Yeung which is scheduled to commence on
June 17, 1998. A pre-inquest meeting, at which the Inquest brief will be available to parties seeking standing, is scheduled
for May 15, 1998.
Mr. Au-Yeung was a 17 year old high school student who committed suicide by jumping from the Bloor Street Viaduct on
December 11, 1997.
One of the issues to be dealt with at the Inquest is the large number of suicides by people jumping from the viaduct and
what safety measures can be designed at the bridge to prevent suicides.
By the adoption at its meeting on April 16, 1998, of Clause No. 3 of Report No. 4 of the Urban Environment and
Development Committee, Council directed that staff meet with the Schizophrenia Society and the local Councillors, as well
as the Historical Board, to develop an options analysis with recommendations to be submitted to the Urban Environment
and Development Committee within ninety days.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
The issue of what safety measures can be designed at the bridge to prevent suicides will be dealt with at the Inquest and
the City should therefore have standing. The City=s solicitor can advise the jury of Council=s decision regarding the design
of safety measures at the bridge, assuming Council has received a report from the Urban Environment and Development
Committee prior to the completion of the Inquest.
If council does not deal with the design of safety measures at the bridge before the completion of the Inquest, counsel for
the City of Toronto can invite the jury to make recommendations which will be forwarded to Council.
Conclusions:
(1)It is recommended that the City Solicitor be authorized to represent the City of Toronto at the Inquest into the death of
Kenneth Au-Yeung; and
(2)It is recommended that this report be forwarded to the Urban Environment and Development Committee for its
information.
Contact Name:
Jane Egan
Phone:392-8703
Fax:392-3848
H.W.O. Doyle
City Solicitor
Legal Services
