Man on a Mission
Adam Connell looks to collect enough signatures to press the Province to call a public Inquiry into fatal mill explosions – photo 250News
Prince George, B.C.- Adam Connell is a man on a mission. He is determined to collect at least ten thousand signatures on a petition to demand a public inquiry into the fatal mill explosions in Burns Lake in Prince George.
Connell is a member of the United Steelworkers Union, the same folks who announced the launching of this public petition campaign on April 1st, just five days after their lawyer withdrew from the Coroner’s Inquest into the deaths of Glenn Roche and Allan Little when it was revealed WorkSafe BC had chosen not to review the investigation conducted by Lakeland. During the inquest, there was testimony that the material was not reviewed because the file was being considered for possible criminal charges and the company could not be compelled to produce evidence that might be incriminating.
“So far, we have collected about 5,000 signatures” says Connell, who has been visiting communities throughout the province hoping to gather enough names to get Premier Christy Clark to call a public inquiry.
“The families need answers, they want justice and so far, no one has been held accountable for these tragedies” says Connell. He says the ultimate goal would be to have regulations in place that have real teeth.
The United Steelworkers have been active in not only calling for a public inquiry into the two explosions, but for changes that call for enforcement of the Westray amendment to the criminal code. That amendment (217.1 of the Criminal Code) states: ” 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.”
Connell will be at the Farmers Market at 6th and George Streets on Saturday to collect names and the petition is also available online. Connell will also head to Burns Lake prior to the start of the Coroners inquest in July which will examine the deaths of Robert Luggi Junior and Carl Charlie, when the Babine forest Products Mill exploded in January of 2012.
That inquest is set to start July 13th.
Connell says the Steelworkers plan to present the petition to the Premier this fall.
Comments
the above link doesn’t work.
Right out of the gate this investigation was a disaster.. Everyone dropped the ball.. The bad part is that it will be a finger pointing excercise if this would go to court to fix responsibility on someone. People died and have had their lives changed forever as a result of these two explosions and no one seems to care other than the workers.. Very sad
‘The bad part is that it will be a finger pointing excercise if this would go to court to fix responsibility on someone.’
You’re right P Val. The union representing the workers would take a drubbing – not attending safety meetings, poor representation at safety planning sessions. No wonder they don’t want this going to court.
Think your wrong VOR, Union is call for full inquiry, that’s what the petition is all about. Get this in front of a real court with the ability to address all those responsible and cut through the BS.
Sure spend another $ 1,000,000.00 Plus ,
This should have been settled at WBC level.. no more BS..
Victim blaming comments aside;
When a government agency, primarily responsible for the inspection and enforcement of safe work conditions in BC, screws up a post accident investigation, not once… but TWICE… I think we all know where some of the fingers will be pointing.
I hope Adam Connell, and the United Steelworkers Union, are succesful in getting that public inquiry. No matter how hard people in the know are trying to obfuscate, and suppress the truth; that truth will eventually come to light, and that is when the laying of criminal charges should be contemplated.
“The union representing the workers” The workers are the union doofus!
“Think your wrong VOR, Union is call for full inquiry, that’s what the petition is all about. Get this in front of a real court with the ability to address all those responsible and cut through the BS.”
Exactly steph100.
Two investigations botched by Worksafe? Something really smells bad with this. Hopefully the smell is uncovered and brought to the publics attention and the families of the dead and injured can get some justice.
One must remember why Worksafe BC was originally formed. To prevent workers from suing employers in a court of law. In effect to protect employers.
Worksafe BC is an insurance company for employers, dont forget that. Their first priority is to keep the money that comes in. Their mandate has nothing to do with actually keeping the workforce safe, if it did then any employer in violation of safety practices would be prosecuted to the extent of the law. The botched investigation of 2 mill explosions leads me to believe this: that their building full of legal advisors realized that not only would it cost them precious dollars in payouts and legal fees but that industry would turn on them if the investigation showed fault of the employers. Worksafe does not monitor workplaces, they leave the policing of safety to the employers. Good on Mr. Connell and his union for taking this initiative. Fact and fault must come to light in order to mend what has happened and rebuild confidence for the workforce and victims. Make no bones about this, there was a conspiracy here somewhere. Unfortunately, the powers that be will move heaven and earth to keep their butts covered.
Well said watchdog. A lot of people believe the same thing.
How is it that there can be an ATV driving back and forth across Pulpmill road between the new winery and the vineyard?
Comments for this article are closed.