In what is believed to be the first case of its kind, criminal negligence charges have been laid in the death of a worker in B.C.
Kelsey Anne Kristian, 22, was killed at the Stave Lake Quarries in Mission in 2007 when she was pinned by her runaway truck as it rolled onto its side, according to a coroner’s report.
After an investigation by Mission RCMP, Crown counsel has approved charges against James Derek Holmes, Garry Glen Klassen, Stave Lake Quarries Inc., and 426969 B.C. Ltd. in relation to Kristian’s death.
The charges of criminal negligence causing death were filed in Abbotsford provincial court on March 12. The next court date is set for May 12.
Mission RCMP Sgt. Shaun Wright said that following their investigation, which he believed started a couple of years ago, police provided a file to Crown that recommended charges.
B.C. Criminal Justice Branch spokesman Neil MacKenzie said as far as he was aware it was the first workplace criminal negligence charge to be brought in B.C., although he said he didn’t know if there were any cases before the 1990s.
The mines ministry said it was the first such charge for a workplace death at a mine or quarry.
United Steelworkers western director Steve Hunt said the case had progressed slowly, with the charges coming eight years after the incident, but he added that the union is pleased.
“The whole (criminal negligence provision) was designed to be a deterrent. But it’s not a deterrent if you don’t use it,” said Hunt.
The United Steelworkers union (USW) stands in full solidarity with the approximately 150 precarious delivery drivers working for Dragonfly and Intelcom who are now in their seventh day of protest in Saskatoon after drastic cuts to per-package pay rates that have pushed workers to a breaking point and are now being terminated for their actions. […]
Dear Locals, The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) has announced a Province-Wide Day of Protest on May 29, calling on workers and community members to stand up against Premier Danielle Smith’s government and its focus on separatism and constitutional battles while Albertans struggle with affordability, health care and education concerns. USW believes Alberta workers need […]
TROIS-RIVIÈRES, Que., May 13, 2026 – After locking out 105 workers at its facility in Trois-Rivières on April 15, Siemens Energy is adding insult to injury by illegally using replacement workers, or “scabs” in common language, to do their jobs. The company’s use of replacement workers has been revealed in a report by investigators from […]