A Saskatchewan anti-racism organization is calling on Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale to investigate after an Indigenous man died at the Saskatoon Regional Psychiatric Centre last month.
The Saskatchewan Coalition Against Racism is alleging 32-year-old Benjamin Toutsaint hanged himself on May 18 after repeated calls for help were ignored.
SCAR spokesperson Bob Hughes says the information comes from a reliable source within the institution.
“The fellow had been asking for help and support daily is what he (source) told me and then there had been a feast, a sweat that had been held and he was not allowed to go to it,” he says.
SCAR says Toutsaint was also prohibited from having cultural items in his cell.
Hughes adds he finds it astonishing the man was allegedly unable to find mental health supports in an institution that is supposed to be equipped to provide them.
“It’s disturbing also to us in a facility that is specifically for psychiatry and mental health issues, that there would not be very regular monitoring, especially of someone that’s been asking for help.”
Correctional Services Canada says Toutsaint’s death is under review and declined further comment at this time.
He had been serving a two-year sentence for assault.
(PHOTO: Saskatoon Regional Psychiatric Centre. File photo.)