MPP Wong-Tam joins Faqiri family to call for Ford government action on ninth anniversary of Soleiman’s death

QUEEN’S PARK — Shadow Attorney General Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) joined Yusuf Faqiri, and co-Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies Emilie Coyle today, calling on the Ford government to apologize to the Faqiri family, and ensure that what happened to Soli never happens again.

On December 15, 2016, Soleiman “Soli” Faqiri died in an Ontario correctional facility after being pepper-sprayed, bound, gagged and sustaining 50 injuries to his body in a room that lacked a security camera. The coroner’s jury inquest ruled his death a homicide, making 57 recommendations to the government in late 2023.

“Ontario's corrections system has not been set up to treat mental illness,” said Wong-Tam. “Every institution is understaffed. Corrections officers are being asked to act as mental health professionals. That is why I introduced and reintroduced the Justice for Soli Act, to recognize that mental health conditions should not be treated in correctional institutions.”

Asked again about the case today, Premier Doug Ford told reporters “Stay out of jails, stop breaking the law, and you won’t have anything to worry about.”

“The Premier’s remarks are heartless, especially on the day that marks nine years since Soli’s death,” added Wong-Tam. “Mental illness is not a crime. Ford has created this environment in Ontario’s jails with chronic understaffing. He is doing the only thing he knows how to do: deflect responsibility.”

“My family is not just asking for the apology that we deserve for Soleiman’s death, but for action on the 57 recommendations — especially the call for people with mental health challenges to not be warehoused in prisons,” said Yusuf Faqiri. “My family has been ready to engage with the government, but we have not heard back once. They have not made a simple phone call.”

“Today, conditions in Ontario’s prisons and jails are at a breaking point,” said Coyle. “When mental illness is treated with pepper spray instead of mental health care, we are all made less safe. The question is not whether there will be another tragedy like Soli’s, but whether we will act now to prevent it.”

“Soleiman’s death will not be the final chapter of his life,” Faqiri said in closing. “His death will be an opportunity to protect those who are most vulnerable.”

The Justice for Soli movement will host a virtual vigil to mark the nine-year anniversary of his tragic death tonight. Registration details are available here.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Recommendations from the Inquest into the death of Soleiman Faqiri can be found here.
• A recording of this morning’s press conference can be found here.
• The Justice for Soli Act can be found here.