Overview

• Judge Karim Zaher Jivraj’s fatality inquiry found agencies failed to fully share Brandon Newman’s violent history when he was transferred to Wood’s Homes in Calgary.
• The report urges amendments to Occupational Health and Safety legislation to require inter-agency disclosure on high-risk youth transfers and to compel employers to inform staff about potentially violent clients.
• On the night of the attack, Deborah Onwu was fatally stabbed 19 times; Newman later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a life sentence with no parole eligibility for 14 years.
• Inquiry testimony indicated Wood’s Homes received limited details about a prior serious assault by Newman at another facility and was not permitted to contact that site while the case was before the courts.
• CUPE endorsed the recommendations and emphasized staffing and disclosure as key protections, while the Ministry of Child and Family Services said involved ministries will review potential policy changes.