British Columbia’s Chief Coroner Announces Retirement

British Columbia’s Chief Coroner is stepping down.

Lisa Lapointe announced her retirement yesterday, saying she will step down in February after the end of her third term as chief coroner.

The chief coroner is appointed by an order of the Lieutenant Governor after a merit-based process.

Lapointe says there is never a perfect time to leave and there are many significant challenges facing British Columbians and the Coroners Service ahead. She says the agency has been forever altered by the toxic-drug public health emergency, and she says she’s deeply saddened that they have been ‘’unable to influence the essential change necessary to reduce the tragic impacts of toxic drugs on so many thousands of our family members, friends, and colleagues across the province.’’.

Lapointe has served in the role for 13 years.

Her third term will officially end on February 18, 2024.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General will initiate a recruitment process to choose her successor.