'He had a strong voice': Sask. prisoner advocate Cory Cardinal dead at 38
Well-known prisoner advocate Cory Cardinal has died at the age of 38.
Cardinal was known to fight for prisoners' rights and for exposing prison conditions in the province.
He had made his presence even more known during the COVID-19 pandemic by flagging overcrowding and fighting for those who had a compromised immune system.
Cardinal ran a group called Inmates for Humane Conditions that helps connect inmates with resources.
His death was confirmed by a colleague. The cause of his death is suspected to be an overdose with no foul play.
Sherri Maier, founder of Beyond Prison Walls Canada, says it was a "shock" when she heard the news.
"He was really influential in doing things, getting those Skype visits for inmates, especially in Saskatoon," she told CTV News.
In February, Cardinal went on a hunger strike to support women in the Pine Grove Correctional Centre in Prince Albert.
Maier says he went on six or seven hunger strikes and even went 21 days for one of them.
She says he'll be remembered for his advocacy, his poetry and having a strong voice for prisoners' rights.
"I always say the more people that stand together the stronger that we become. But I mean him alone, just himself, is influential," Maier adds.
"You look at any of his poetry and stuff he is published in a lot of places and i think that's what he will be remembered by. It's a huge loss for all the advocates."
An investigation into his death is underway, according to Maier.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.
Significant police presence as Israeli flag flies at Ottawa City Hall
The Israeli flag is flying at Ottawa City Hall today to mark the country's national day, with plans to hold a private ceremony to mark Israel's Independence Day. There is a significant police presence at City Hall, including security barriers outside the main doors.