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The following statement on the Come By Chance oil refinery fire/explosion was issued today by Arthur D. Reid, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs. It was also read in the House of Assembly: As the Minister Responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner, I would like to provide the House of Assembly with an update on the March 25, 1998 fire/explosion at the Come By Chance Oil Refinery. As we know, this tragic incident resulted in two deaths and one injury. First of all, I would like to inform Honourable Members that I have been advised by my colleague, the Minister of Justice, that there will be a judicial inquiry into the fire/explosion at Come By Chance. The inquiry will see a provincial court judge appointed pursuant to the provisions of the Provincial Offenses Act. This inquiry will examine the cause, manner and circumstances surrounding the fire/explosion and loss of life and make recommendations to avoid similar events in the future. The judicial inquiry will be open to the public. Government made a commitment to publicly release the fire commissioner's report and related documents. The judicial inquiry will take place and the report and related documents will be released as soon as the Department of Justice advises that it is appropriate to proceed with these actions. The department must make its decision having regard for current police investigations and any court proceedings which may result. It is imperative that the workers at the refinery and their families have confidence in the safety of their workplace. A comprehensive fire/life safety audit was completed in June. The life safety audit work was coordinated by the Fire Commissioner's Office and involved the departments of Government Services and Lands and Environment and Labour. Government also engaged independent refinery experts, Brown and Root, to assist in this audit. Since completion of the fire/life safety audit, government continues to work with the company and the union to ensure safety of the workplace. The company is currently involved in a scheduled shutdown which began on October 19 and which will conclude, we are advised, around November 20. These shutdowns are a normal part of the refinery business and are designed to allow the company the opportunity to complete regular maintenance, repairs and undertake capital improvements. Government departments are on site during this period and Brown and Root have also been engaged to follow up on their earlier work Government has a number of responsibilities with regard to this incident. It has the responsibility to maintain the integrity of the legal process. It also has a corresponding responsibility to ensure that the rights of the families are in no way compromised. It has the further obligation to provide a safe workplace. I can assure you that we will do everything possible to see that all these responsibilities are achieved. 1998 11 16 2:25 p.m.
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