Prince George, B.C. – Prince George-Mackenzie MLA and Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell says the explosion and fire at Lakeland Mills last night is a devastating blow to the city of Prince George and its residents.

Bell, speaking with Ben Meisner on CFIS-FM this morning, says “I know lots of folks that work at the mill, I know people that were at the mill last night, I know Greg Stewart, the Anderson family very well so it is very, very painful for everyone and at this point I think we all just need to pull together as a community and do whatever we can to support all the folks that were at the site last night and all of the folks who are wondering what is the future.” 

Bell says Lakeland is a generational business….that has provided a very good livelihood for many, many people in Prince George for a long time, they are a very modest family and they must be taking this very hard. It’s a difficult day, particularly on the heels of the Burns Lake fire and explosion.   I’m sure it’s got people wondering what’s going on here and it certainly has me wondering and thinking that we need to be moving much more quickly and I have a meeting with the Minister of Labour who’s responsible for WorkSafe BC here in just a few minutes to see what we can do to expedite that investigation.”

Bell says it’s a bit premature to look at the financial aspects of the Lakeland situation. “I think the main thing is to do whatever we can to support the families that have been affected. As you know about 50 people on site last night. As I understand the circumstances pretty traumatic for everyone that was there.   We know we’ve had a fatality now, that’s obviously very difficult. We all have friends and neighbours that work at this mill so it could be someone that we know. So at this point we need to work through that. The financial circumstances we will deal with, we always find ways to ensure that we are able to keep peoples’ business together and employed and working gainfully but that’s for tomorrow. Today is for looking after the wounded.”

Bell says he has spoken with Mayor Shari Green who is actively involved on the file. He says both he and Shirley Bond will be involved in what happens regarding the file in the future.   Bond, the province’s Minister of Justice and Attorney-general, will be dealing with the Emergency Management Services on the jobs economic front before the file is turned over to Bell.