5 people were injured, 3 died in 2021 explosion and fire in Beauceville
Two Quebec lumber companies are facing eight criminal negligence charges after an explosion at a wood-manufacturing plant in Beauceville, Que., in 2021.
The Crown charged Séchoirs de Beauce and Bois Ouvré de Beauceville on May 19 with three charges of negligence causing death and five charges of negligence causing bodily harm.
In September 2021, five people were injured following a fiery explosion at the Séchoirs de Beauce et Bois Ouvré factory.
Some of the injuries were so serious that people had to be intubated and transferred to the trauma unit at Enfant-Jésus Hospital in Quebec City, about 80 kilometres away, for more specialized care.
Jean Lachance, 51, of Saint-Georges, Mario Morin, 57, of Beauceville and Martin Roy, 50, of Saint-Georges died in the explosion. They were members of the Syndicat des Métallos.
Suzy Roy, the sister of Martin Roy, who was killed, says she was happy when she heard about the criminal charges because she never wants this to happen to anyone else.
“This is for the memory of my brother and also the new employees. Whether it be this company or another. The safety and security of people while they’re at work is important,” said Roy. “So people can come home after their shift.”
‘This is what workers have been asking for,’ says union
Julie Hébert, the health and safety co-ordinator for the union, says she thought about the victims’ families when she heard about the criminal charges. She said this incident continues to take a toll on the community.
“The union will continue to provide support and assistance,” said Hébert. “We hope that this case will be a breakthrough and lead to more charges being pressed in cases of fatalities and critical injury.”
She says the Crown can press charges against a private company in part due to the Westray Law — an amendment introduced in 2004 after a deadly coal mine explosion in Nova Scotia.
“These amendments were made so that companies could be held criminally responsible,” said Hébert, adding that these types of charges are rare.
“This is what workers have been asking for many years, that all workplace fatalities and critical injuries be analyzed through a criminal lens,” said Hébert.
Martine Savard, the prosecutor looking over this case, said although the case is criminal, company representatives will not face jail time, if found guilty.
“It’s really the company that is subject to a fine,” said Savard. “There is no maximum or minimum fine. So the court really has the power to impose the penalty that is appropriate in the circumstances”
The companies are expected in court on June 9.
In a statement Bois Ouvré Beauceville says it’s taken note of the charges but will not comment further while the matter is before the courts out of respect for the families.