The United Steelworkers has launched a petition demanding Premier Christy Clark call a public inquiry into the explosions at the Babine and Lakeland sawmills.
The move comes after the USW withdrew its counsel from the coroner's inquest into the Lakeland incident, which has been adjourned to give coroner's counsel time to look at new evidence that came to light.
USW Western Canada director Stephen Hunt said a public inquiry is the only way to get the full facts of the case and hold people accountable. Although it can make recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, an inquest jury cannot lay blame.
"This was a preventable tragedy. The workers complained about the accumulation of explosive wood dust but to date nobody has been held accountable," Hunt said in a statement.
The petition is available online at www.usw.ca/inquiry.
