At least nine people were killed by Canadian police in November 2024. This brings the total number of people killed in police actions to at least 93 so far this year. These deaths include people who were directly killed by police, as in police shootings, and people who died during police deployments or in police custody.

At least five people were killed by Canadian police in October and at least a dozen people were killed in Canadian police actions in September. Thirteen people were killed in police actions in August 2024. That was the deadliest month of police violence in 2024 so far and the deadliest since September 2022, when 13 people were also killed. At least seven people were killed in Canadian police actions in July 2024, nine people were killed in police actions in June, seven people in May, 11 people in April, 11 people in March, five people in February, and four people in January 2024. There were at least 97 police-involved deaths in Canada in 2023, while in 2022, there were at least 117 police-involved deaths.

Five of the victims have been identified publicly. They are: Joshua Papigatuk, an Inuk man; Erixon Kabera, a Black man;  Eugene Joseph, an Indigenous man; Elgyn Muskego, a Norway House Cree Nation teenager; and Jordan Charlie, an Inuk man.

Six of the victims in November were shot and killed by police. One died after an intoxication arrest. One died in a fall while in crisis. One died in a police chase. At least five of the victims were reported to be in some type of distress at the time of the police interaction.

The details below are based on police reports, reports from oversight agencies, and in some cases information from families. As always, because there are no formal, systemic mechanisms for documenting and reporting police killings publicly in Canada, all numbers presented for police-involved deaths represent an undercount. In addition to the known cases, there are instances of police-involved deaths that have no reporting. For example, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) lists one death involving RCMP in West Kelowna on November 21, for which the investigation was closed without any public report. Two people died in vehicle crashes in BC, but it has not been confirmed that any police pursuit was involved.

 

 

November 2. Trois-Rivières Police. Shooting.

Trois-Rivières police shot and killed a person in crisis on the evening of November 2. The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) reports that a call was made to 911 for a person in crisis inside a residence at approximately 8:59 PM. Police reportedly arrived at the scene around 9:06 PM and made contact outside the residence with the person who made the 911 call. Police then entered the residence and opened fire on the person in crisis. Police claim they saw the person in possession of a firearm. The victim was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

It has not been explained publicly why police burst in on a person in crisis. It has also not been explained how long they might have spoken with the person, if at all. Neither has it been stated publicly if any mental health workers or non-police crisis response workers were on scene or interacted with the victim in any way.

Five BEI investigators have been assigned to investigate the killing.

 

November 4. Joshua Papigatuk. Nunavik Police Service. Shooting.

Nunavik Police Service officers shot and killed Joshua Papigatuk, an Inuk man, on November 4. His twin brother Garnet Papigatuk was seriously injured in the deployment. The killing reportedly occurred around 4 AM in public on a street in the northern village of Salluit, which has a population of around 1,600 people.

Video has circulated that shows the moment a police officer opened fire at close range. The 12-second sequence occurs in the middle of the street. Two shots are heard and a person falls to the ground.

Police claim they used Tasers and pepper spray before shooting two men.

The Bureau des enquêtes indépendantes (BEI) has assigned five investigators to examine the shootings. The BEI is not an independent agency and relies on other police forces for assistance with investigations. In this case, the provincial police service, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), will be involved.

It has since been stated by police that they were on scene regarding a call for someone allegedly attempting to drive while impaired. They have further clarified that the call was not about someone actually driving while impaired.

This is the second investigation of police violence in Salluit this year. In July, a video was posted online showing a woman being dragged by Nunavik police officers, while witnesses told them that she was having a seizure. 

Data from Quebec’s chief coroner’s office found that between 2000 and 2018 Nunavik had more police-involved deaths than any of the three territories in Canada, despite having a population about one-third of each territory. 

 

November 7. Orillia OPP. Shooting.

Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU) is investigating the fatal police shooting of a 26-year-old man by Orillia OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) on November 7. According to the SIU, the killing occurred on Cochrane Street just before 2 PM. Police say they responded to a report of a fight at a home on Barrie Road. The SIU reports that a civilian was pronounced dead and an OPP officer was stabbed and taken to hospital.

No other details are available at this time.

 

November 7. Moose Jaw Police Service. Vehicle Chase.

A 31-year-old man was killed and two others taken to hospital after a single-vehicle rollover occurred in the 1300 block of Main Street North in Moose Jaw after a reported chase by police.

It is reported that Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) received a call regarding a car pursuing the caller’s vehicle and driving erratically. The caller also claimed they had been in a physical altercation with the pursuer.

At approximately 11:47 PM, an MJPS officer in a police car spotted what was believed to be the suspect vehicle. The officer turned on their emergency lights and started chasing the vehicle. At around 11:49 PM, that officer reported by radio that the car had crashed and rolled on Main Street.

One of the vehicle’s passengers, a 31-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other occupants, the driver and a second passenger, were taken to hospital for treatment. One was kept in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries while the other was released after being treated for minor injuries.

 

November 9-10. Erixon Kabera. Hamilton Police Service. Shooting.

Hamilton police shot and killed Erixon Kabera, a 43-year-old Black man who was the father of three sons, Garry Sean, Terry, and Zack. The victim was shot on November 9 and died in hospital the next day. Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit reports that at approximately 5 PM on November 9, Hamilton Police Service (HPS) officers attended an apartment building on Main Street West after a resident contacted them regarding a man allegedly acting in a threatening manner. Officers became involved in some type of interaction with a man on the building’s fifth floor. Two HPS officers fired their weapons and the man, since identified as Erixon Kabera, was struck. He was taken to hospital that evening and was pronounced dead there at 12:47 AM on November 10. HPS say that an officer was taken to hospital as well but was released after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

Mr. Kabera was originally from Rawanda and had lived in Canada for over 20 years. His family says that that he was deeply involved in the Rwandan community, serving as vice-president of the Rwandan Community Abroad in Toronto and as an adviser for the Rwandan Canadian Healing Center. 

Mr. Kabera’s family released as statement describing their loved one and their horror at his killing by police. It can be read in full here.

“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we, the family of Erixon Kabera, announce his tragic and untimely passing. Erixon dedicated his life to his family, faith, and community, building a reputation as a compassionate, gentle, and honorable man.

We are devastated for this unspeakable loss of a man who was a giant in his own right, the kindest soul we’ve ever known and the pillar of our family and community. With his infectious smile and belly laugh, he was so full of life and had so much to live for.”

His family has condemned the initial police framing of events which suggested that there was an exchange of gunfire. The SIU had to release a statement a day later which clarified that that based on information that came to light in the course of their investigation, it does not appear that the victim discharged a firearm. Only two HPS officers fired weapons. Kabera’s family was forced to respond to the initial erroneous claims. They are deeply troubled by the police insinuation that Kabera had a gun. They have called the claims about an exchange of gunfire, “deeply outrageous and unnerving.” The family says that Mr. Kabera was a “peaceful man” and that, “Erixon was not known to possess a gun, nor did he have a history of condoning or engaging in any type of violence.” They say that he was alone and resting that day.

The initial police claims have added additional trauma to the family and loved ones. As the family’s statement says:

“We are devastated by the circumstances of Erixon’s death, which occurred inside his apartment, a place where he had been spending the day resting. Even more heartbreaking to us is the police’s portrayal of these tragic events that took the life of our own family member. We find that reversal of crucial facts, a full day after telling the entire world otherwise and painting an image of violence for our very own, to be deeply outrageous and unnerving.”

It is now reported that patrol officers initially responded to the call, but other police deployments, including tactical officers from the emergency response unit, “flooded the scene” after the shooting. Police have not said how the HPS officer was injured or if the injury was actually inflicted by other officers.

Police claim that a person living in the building called police because there was a man at their door who they believed was in possession of a handgun. These claims have not been confirmed and HPS say there are no outstanding persons of interest stemming from that initial call. Many answers are needed here.

The family is calling for justice for their love done. In their words:

“As we grieve this senseless loss, we respectfully ask for transparency and accountability from the authorities. Whether it’s police body cam footage, surveillance videos from the building or any other pieces of evidence, we want to know details of the altercation so that we can understand the truth of what happened in Erixon’s final moments.”

“Our family deserves answers, clarity and peace, and we stand firm in our belief that Erixon was not armed, nor would he act in a way that would justify this result.”

The SIU has assigned six investigators and two forensic investigators to examine the killing. They have designated two subject officials and two witness officials.

 

November 6-11. Eugene Joseph. Prince George RCMP. Intoxication Arrest.

Eugene Joseph, an Indigenous father of five died after being arrested for intoxication by Prince George RCMP on November 6. His death was reported on November 11. The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC reports that officers detained a man for being intoxicated and transported him to the police detachment on November 6. Later that same night, he was found unresponsive in a cell during a routine check. First aid was reportedly administered, and the man was then transported to the hospital where his condition was determined to be critical. On November 11, IIO investigators learned that he died in the hospital.

Mr. Joseph’s wife Dawn Agno told local media that they had been trying to get psychiatric treatment for her husband and that he should have been in the hospital not a jail cell. 

Several people die every year after intoxication arrests. Such arrests are often carried out on a racist, class, and colonial basis. It is a practice that should be ended.

 

November 12. Peel Regional Police Service. Fall.

Ontario’s SIU is investigating the death of a 26-year-old man who was in distress during a police deployment in Oshawa on November 12. According to the SIU, at approximately 3:30 AM, Durham Regional Police Service officers were deployed to Lakeridge Health Oshawa after a woman reported that her 26-year-old son was in distress. On arrival, officers located the man on the roof of the parking garage and reportedly attempted to communicate with him. Shortly after, he fell from the roof to the ground below. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police are not health care. They are not an appropriate response for someone in crisis.

The SIU has assigned three investigators and two forensic investigators to examine the death.

 

November 22. Elgyn Muskego. Manitoba RCMP. Shooting.

Manitoba RCMP shot and killed a young man, reported to be 17-year-old Elgyn Muskego, in Norway House First Nation on November 22. The Independent Investigation Unit of Manitoba (IIU) reports that the shooting occurred at approximately 1:43 AM after officers were called to a residence on Niska View regarding a claim of “a youth who was high and armed with a weapon.” Officers arrived and located a boy outside and allegedly armed with an edged weapon. Police claim that they made commands to the youth to drop the weapon before firing a service weapon. Elgyn Muskego was later pronounced dead.

Brian Rowden, a member of the Nation, has criticized the actions of the Mounties, saying that they are sending poorly trained officers. Rowden told media: “Too many lives lost recently in our community and this is the nastiest cherry on top. Norway House is hurting.”

Rowden later told other reporters that Elgyn was struggling with mental health issues, which police in the community show little concern for. In his words: “If cops even knew a little bit of that, maybe they might have had some sort of compassion, but they don’t even try to know anything, the details like that, about our people.” Rowden says police offered no de-escalation attempts or alternative measures. Instead, he says, “They just went straight for their gun.” 

Norway House leadership released a statement which says in part: “As leaders of our Nation, we assure you that these matters are receiving our highest priority. We are committed and determined to ensure that a thorough and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting by an RCMP officer takes place.”

The IIU has deployed a team of investigators to the scene. Because this is a death investigation, the IIU will request the Manitoba Police Commission appoint a civilian monitor.

 

November 24. Jordan Charlie. Winnipeg Police Service. Shooting.

Winnipeg police shot and killed Jordan Charlie, a 24-year-old Inuk man, in a Unicity Shopping Centre parking lot on the evening of November 24, shortly after 5:00 PM. Video posted to social media shows police shooting Mr. Charlie. It shows him standing by himself several feet away from two police officers. Both officers open fire on Mr. Charlie and he falls to the ground. Numerous shots can be heard. No attempts at de-escalation are heard in the video. And the officers do not move away from him, despite the fact that he is alone, with no bystanders near him.

Witnesses also saw the shooting in an area with children present. It is also reported that a police officer was stabbed but is in stable condition. Police were already in the area as part of their anti-shoplifting campaign.

Winnipeg police taped off an area around the bus shelter and it is reported that more than 30 police cars, multiple ambulances, and at least one firetruck had converged on an area near the bus shelter.

Jordan Charlie was from Nunavut but stranded in Winnipeg after being released from prison. It is reported that he was taken at a young age from his home in Taloyoak, Nunavut, and moved around to different provinces and territories through the child welfare system, a system that maintains colonial relations of removal of Indigenous children from families and communities.

At only 19 he had been sentenced to four-and-a-half-years in a federal prison. He had been released from another six-month sentence days before he was killed. Clearly multiple state systems of repression failed him from childhood.

Mr. Charlie’s lawyer, Baljinder Rattan, had told the courts that her client suffered from multiple mental health problems in the “backdrop of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.” He had reportedly made several suicide attempts which are believed to have affected his cognitive ability.

Mr. Charlie was unhoused in the period before police killed him and reportedly struggled with mental health and substance use issues.

Jeff Shantz is a long-time anti-authoritarian organizer, researcher, and writer who lives and works on Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo territories (Surrey, British Columbia).