NDP’s Dix wants independent probe of ‘bungled’ Burns Lake blast investigation

VICTORIA – B.C. New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix says the investigation into the explosion that killed two people at the Burns Lake, B.C., sawmill was bungled, and he’s calling for an independent probe.

Dix says the Crown and WorkSafeBC failed to work together adequately, resulting in the decision last week not to lay charges in connection with the explosion.

Dix says the Liberal government is partly to blame because it intervened at various stages of the investigations and now victims and families are left to suffer without answers about who is responsible.

Last week, the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch said WorkSafeBC’s investigation raised concerns about inadmissible evidence, the failure to obtain search warrants and inform witnesses of their Charter rights.

WorkSafeBC is expected to release its final inspection report this week.

Dix also says the NDP will focus on what he says is the Liberal government’s failed economic record during the coming months and into the spring legislative session.