The families of the two men killed in the Babine Forest Products mill explosion are raising money for legal representation when the coroner's inquest moves to Burns Lake this summer.
A GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign launched on Monday is aiming for a $50,000 goal to pay for an independent lawyer to represent the families of Carl Charlie, 42, and Robert Luggi, 45, who died following the Jan. 20, 2012 blast.
"The Charlie and Luggi families would like their legal interests protected at the coroner's inquest and have their voices heard and they want to ensure the right questions are asked," said the campaign page.
According to the page, the families wrote to Premier Christy Clark last October asking for provincial government assistance in covering the costs of a lawyer for the inquest, which begins in Burns Lake on July 13. The request was turned down by chief coroner Lisa Lapointe.
In an inquest, a jury hears evidence related to a death in order to make recommendations to prevent similar events in the future. Blame cannot be assigned for the cause of the death and coroner's counsel poses questions to witnesses on behalf of the public.
Counsel representing the families of the victims are also allowed to question witnesses and suggest recommendations to the jury, but the families must also foot the bill.
For both the inquest into the April 23, 2012, explosion at Lakeland Mills - underway at the Prince George courthouse - and the Burns Lake blast, the coroner has engaged a second lawyer.
"Normally there's one coroner's counsel, but for the mill inquest there's two and one of the reasons for that is make sure that there is somebody available to talk with and keep the families up to date and pass any concerns, questions, etc., they have on as well," said B.C. Coroners Service spokesperson Barb McLintock.
The issue of independent counsel for the victims has been a common topic of debate in Victoria, with Opposition MLAs frequently pressing the government on the issue of independent counsel for explosion victims as well as reiterating the call for an independent public inquiry.
The victim's families may feel they will get more questions or better questions asked if they had their own lawyer, but their guiding legislation is clear, McLintock said.
"Because we're not an adversarial process we obviously don't supply any of the parties to inquests - families or anybody else - with lawyers."
The fundraising campaign can be found online at www.gofundme.com/u8jf7s3k.
-- with files from Mark Nielsen
