Laws in place since 1992 have failed to be put in action: Federation
The B.C. Federation of Labour is asking the provincial government to review the repercussions for employers when fatalities occur at the workplace.
The federation and five families met with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond and Minister of Labour Margaret MacDiarmid to discuss concerns they have with the enforcement of the Criminal Code targeting employers.
During the meeting, the families and the federation’s president, Jim Sinclair, outlined a three point plan for justice and accountability:
- Dedicate a crown prosecutor to deal with workplace fatality and serious injury cases
- Train police services on section 217.1 of the criminal code, which outlines that everyone who has the authority to direct how another person performs a task must take reasonable steps to prevent bodily harm
- Implement mandatory police investigations of all workplace fatalities and serious injuries
The federal and provincial governments, police and the courts have failed to enforce laws put in place after the 1992 Westray coal mine disaster in Plymouth, N.S., which killed 26 workers, according to the group.
The ministers have committed to look at the issue further and meet again in the coming weeks, Sinclair said.
