Prince George, B.C.- The  Prince George RCMP  investigation into the explosion and fire that  left two people dead, 22  injured and leveled the mill on River Road on April 23, 2012, took just 2 and a half days.

Sergeant Holly Lavin has testified at the Coroner’s inquest into the deaths of Glenn Roche and Alan Little the  investigation focused on  interviews with 13 workers who were in the mill at the time of the blast,  interviews with WorkSafeBC  and the Prince George Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Officer.

When asked if  the RCMP  could reopen their  investigation if  new information surfaced,  Sgt. Lavin  said “I think if there was important information we would have been notified.”  Sgt. Lavin  said she  never received a  final report from WorkSafeBC  or the BC Safety Authority. She also  admitted that while the RCMP  has explosives experts  “I didn’t think to contact them.”

Later testimony from RCMP Inspector Terry Kohlhauser, the District Senior  Investigation Officer for the south east district of B.C.  said  while he was not  party to the  Lakeland investigation by the RCMP,  it is possible such a probe could be concluded  in  that time frame.

Things are much different now, said Inspector Kohlhauser, all  workplace fatalities are investigated by the RCMP as section 217(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada (the section known as the Westray Amendment) “is definitely on our radar”.

Section 217(1)  reads: Every one who undertakes, or has the authority, to direct how another person does work or performs a task is under a legal duty to take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm to that person, or any other person, arising from that work or task.

He testified  the RCMP have not yet had  an  investigation under section 217(1) where foul play could be  determined.*

Inspector Kohlhauser confirmed  it is the Crown that makes the decision on  whether or not charges will be  persued,  and the likelihood of conviction.  He also confirmed  RCMP  investigate criminal code offences only, they do not  investigate regulatory issues.

The inquest continues

*Editor’s Note:

Inspector Kohlhauser  does not speak on behalf of the entire RCMP and clarifies  he was only making a reference to his  own  investigation history.