Some facts about the inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski

May 24th, 2009
THE CANADIAN PRESS

VANCOUVER, B.C. - Some facts about the Braidwood inquiry examining the death of Robert Dziekanski:

Commissioner: Retired B.C. Court of Appeal judge Thomas Braidwood.

Focus: To provide a complete public record of what happened to Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver's airport on Oct. 14, 2007, and to make recommendations to prevent a similar death in the future.

Length: Started on Jan. 19, 2009, and finishes hearing testimony this week.

Lawyers: 19 representing the inquiry, the government of Canada, the Polish government, the four RCMP officers, Dziekanski's mother and the airport, among others.

Number of witnesses so far: 81, with as many as three more expected to testify in the inquiry's final week.

What's next: Lawyers will make closing submissions in mid-June. Braidwood will then write his final report, which could be ready by the fall.

First phase: Braidwood oversaw another inquiry last year, a study commission broadly examining Taser use. A report from that phase is due by the end of June.

Quote: "As a parent, I can imagine nothing more terrible than losing a son or daughter. Please be assured that I ... will make every effort to provide you with a complete record of what happened that night in the hope that it will assist you in finding some closure and peace." - Retired judge Thomas Braidwood addressing Dziekanski's mother, Zofia Ciswoski, on the inquiry's opening day.