Finlay van der Werken
Finlay van der Werken was a vibrant 16-year-old student from Burlington, Ontario, known for his passion for hockey and his ambition to become a veterinarian. Tragically, he died on February 9, 2024, after suffering a prolonged wait for medical attention at an emergency room, leading to a public outcry for reforms in pediatric emergency care.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
Finlay died following a visit to the emergency room at Trafalgar Memorial Hospital in Oakville, Ont.
Discretionary inquest granted to examine teen’s death after he sought care at Ontario hospital
Canada· 2025-12-15
Finlay van der Werken died after waiting hours for medical care at a hospital.
Family of teen who died after waiting hours for care meets Ontario Health MinisterCanada· 2025-10-24
Finlay van der Werken was a 16-year-old boy who died after waiting hours to see a doctor in an Ontario hospital.
Hospital staff provided ‘reasonable’ care to Ontario teen who died after waiting hours in ER, statement of defence claimsCanada· 2025-09-11
Finlay deteriorated in the emergency room overnight, despite his mother repeatedly alerting the nurses.
Memo to Mark Carney: Canada’s existential crisis is in health careCanada· 2025-08-22
Finlay was a 16-year-old student who died after waiting for hours in an emergency room.
An Ontario teen died after waiting in agony for hours at an ER. Now, his family wants an inquestCanada· 2025-08-20