A judge has ruled he will not allow media outlets to televise the proceedings of the Brian Sinclair inquest.
Sinclair was the wheelchair bound man who died after waiting 34 hours in the Health Sciences Emergency Room in September 2008 to have a catheter replaced.
Cameras are not allowed inside Manitoba courtrooms and television outlets, including CTV News, had asked inquest judge Tim Preston to grant that access for the Sinclair inquest.
Preston says even though he has the power to do that, allowing cameras is not necessary to make the inquest a public hearing.
The judge says he is not limiting freedom of expression of the media, but says the court has no obligation to assist in any specific form of expression.
The media argued that most people don't have the time or ability to attend the inquest in person, but the judge had concerns that filming witnesses would impact on their willingness to testify.
The Manitoba Nurses Union had put forward similar concerns about cameras potentially affecting hospital staff and arguing cameras weren't needed inside the inquest.
"I think that there will be full disclosure discussed and what the best way is to proceed forward. And I still don't believe that Manitobans actually being able to sit and watch TV court proceedings would've had any impact, whether the evidence is presented and recommendations made," said Sandi Mowat, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union.
People now wanting to watch the upcoming inquest will have to go down to the law courts to view it in person.
Some disability groups said they're disappointed with the judge's decision because many of their clients live in remote locations and are still interested in the inquest.
Brian Sinclair's family issued a statement Friday afternoon which called for a full, public inquiry and said that an inquest may not be able to fully examine issues concerning Manitoba's emergency rooms. Unlike inquests, inquiries are usually televised.
Representatives from media outlets said it's too early to say if an appeal will be filed against the judge's decision opposing cameras.
- with a report from CTV's Kelly Dehn
