March 22, 1999
(Municipal and Provincial Affairs)

Charges laid against North Atlantic Refinery in connection with March 25, 1998 fire/explosion

Lloyd Matthews, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs and minister responsible for the Fire Commissioner's Office, announced today that charges have been filed with the Provincial Court against North Atlantic Refining Ltd in connection with the March 25, 1998 fire/explosion at their refinery in Come By Chance.

Two charges have been laid under the Public Safety Act administered by the Department of Government Services and Lands. Generally, these charges relate to the alleged operation of a system in an unsafe manner.

In addition, three charges were laid under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and another 12 charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations administered by the Department of Environment and Labour. In general, these charges relate to the alleged failure on the part of the company to provide a safe workplace.

The decision to lay charges comes at the conclusion of an extensive investigation by the Fire Commissioner's Office, the Occupational Health and Safety Division of the Department of Environment and Labour and the Mechanical Building/Inspections Section of the Department of Government Services and Lands.

Minister Matthews stated that a judicial inquiry into this accident will proceed, but only after these matters have been disposed of by the court. The fire commissioner's reports will be made public at the discretion of the judge appointed to the Judicial Inquiry.

Media contact: John Doody, Director of Communications, (709) 729-1983.

1999 03 22 4:05 p.m.