Inquest to be held into 2020 death of construction worker in Pickering

An inquest will be held in the 2020 death of a man crushed by a temporary barrier while pouring concrete at a future retirement home in Pickering.

Christopher Panepinto, 33, died on February 10, 2020, from injuries sustained while helping build the Amica retirement home on Pickering Parkway.

The construction company he worked for – Delgant Limited – was initially charged with a slew of health and safety violations in connection with his death but the charges were withdrawn in late 2022 after the Crown declared it couldn’t establish its case within the required timeline due to a lack of judicial resources.

Delgant Limited was also charged and fined $300,000 in 2005 after two workers fell to their deaths.

Amica retirement home in Pickering

Nineteen months after the charges against the company for Panepinto’s death were withdrawn his family, who hail from Cobourg, may finally see justice after Dr. Joel Kirsh, Regional Supervising Coroner (Central Region, Central East Office), announced that an inquest will be held into the worker’s death.

The inquest, a public hearing conducted by a coroner before a jury of five community members and called pursuant to Section 10 of the Coroner’s Act, will examine the circumstances surrounding Panepinto’s death. They are mandatory in certain circumstances, including deaths at construction sites.

Although the jury’s conclusions are not binding, it is hoped that any recommendations suggested will prevent further deaths.

Further details regarding the inquest, including the date and location, will be provided at a later date.

Christopher Panepinto