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Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – August 3, 2012
In the wake of the six month anniversary of the tragic explosion at Babine, the last injured employee has been or will shortly be released to outpatient care in Vancouver with an anticipated return to Burns Lake in September. Ongoing professional counseling for employees and families continues to be available on a weekly basis by contract with PPC Canada. A counselor comes to Burns Lake from Smithers every Monday. Employees are encouraged to call 1/800/663-9099 to make an appointment for counseling.
Working in coordination with our First Nations partners, the Union, and the Village of Burns Lake, we delivered compelling testimony for providing the volume of timber that will be required to sustain Decker Lake and a new Babine sawmill facility to the Special Committee on Timber Supply on July11th in Vancouver. On July 20th, we followed up by sending the Committee a final report summarizing the analysis of the timber supply area by our own timber inventory consultant, taking the opportunity to reiterate our specific requests and suggestions for improving the mid-term timber supply. We also sent the Committee the full analysis generated by our consultant. The Committee will issue its report on August 15th. We are encouraging the “need for speed” as it relates to Burns Lake’s special circumstances and being able to move forward with building the new sawmill.
Simultaneously, engineering plans are moving along with Babine mill management, company engineering staff, and an outside engineering firm who is helping with the overall layout and design of the new sawmill. We have met with the industry’s leading machinery vendors to review their proposals for the rebuilding of the Babine sawmill and will be ready to move forward with contracting for the new machinery and equipment as soon as we can be assured that we have the appropriate timber supply secured.
There is still no news from WorkSafe in terms of their investigation into the cause of the January 20th explosion at the Babine mill. Aggressive clean-up and safety modifications are ongoing at our Decker Lake sawmill, as recommended by our third party audits and in conjunction with other recommendations that came out of our industry’s task force on combustion risks. Our Oregon sawmills are undergoing third-party safety audits this month and our three Washington mills are responding to the audits they had earlier this summer.
Burns Lake continues to be in the media in terms of efforts to stabilize its economy and provide alternative sources of employment for the people affected by the Babine sawmill explosion. While there have been some developments in terms of new sources of employment, recent Endako Mine layoffs remind us that in order to sustain its viability, the community needs a major stable source of employment such as was provided by Babine. This makes it imperative that the government act promptly to enact a solution for the Lakes TSA to supply mid-term timber for Babine and Decker, perhaps using that solution as a model for the other TSAs in B.C.
Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation, help our employees, and work with the community on the recovery.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – July 6, 2012
As of July 6th, one Babine employee still remains under care and undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his injuries. Ongoing professional counseling for employees and families continues to be available on a weekly basis by contract with PPC Canada. A counselor comes to Burns Lake from Smithers every Monday. Employees are encouraged to call 1/800/663-9099 to make an appointment for counseling.
Healing and reconciliation ceremonies June 15 and 16 at the mill site were well attended. We thank First Nations Chief Karen Ogen and our employees, Fabian Michell and Morris Ettinger, among others, who worked tirelessly to make all the arrangements and bring the ceremonies to fruition.
The Babine planer will complete finishing the rough lumber inventory in the Babine yard by July 10th and shipments are in process. Log sales will continue through this month. Dismantling and demolition activities on the mill site have progressed to ensure that the site is safe and environmentally sound when rebuilding activities begin. Before winter weather precludes most construction activity, we are contemplating some preliminary site preparation. Engineering plans are ongoing via planning meetings with Babine mill management, company engineering staff, and an engineering firm who is helping with the overall layout and design of the new sawmill in preparation for a decision on the final mill design.
Working in coordination with our First Nations partners, the Union, and the Village of Burns Lake, we delivered a compelling message for providing the volume of timber that will be required to sustain Decker Lake and a new Babine sawmill facility to the Special Committee on Timber Supply on June 19th in Burns Lake. The meeting was well attended and a very supportive group of “Lakes District Timber for Lakes District Mills” rallied on site after the hearing. We plan to testify before the Special Committee again this month when we have the B.C. government’s timber supply information verified by our own independent consultant. The current timeline reflects that the Committee would make a recommendation by August 15th, after which the B.C. Cabinet will take it up as a legislative matter. We are encouraging the “need for speed” as it relates to Burns Lake and moving forward with the new sawmill.
There is no news from WorkSafe in terms of their investigation into the cause of the January 20th explosion at the Babine mill. We are continuing with aggressive clean-up and safety modifications at our Decker Lake sawmill, as recommended by our third party audits and in conjunction with other recommendations that come out of our industry’s task force on combustion risks.
Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation, help our employees, and work with the community on the recovery.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – June 15, 2012
As of June 15th, one Babine employee still remains under care and undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his injuries. Ongoing professional counseling for employees and families continues to be available on a weekly basis by contract with PPC Canada. A counselor comes to Burns Lake from Smithers every Monday. Employees are encouraged to call 1/800/663-9099 to make an appointment for counseling.
We are grateful for the continued generous contributions to the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund, which has distributed more than $400,000 to assist Babine employees in the five months since the explosion. We recently learned of a significant donation from Canfor Pulp employees, which was matched by their company and split between the Tragedy Fund and the new Burns Lake Hospital project.
We are attending healing and reconciliation ceremonies June 15 and 16 at the mill site. All Babine employees and their families have been invited to attend.
The Babine planer will be running through the end of June and log sales will continue through early July. A crew is now working on dismantling and demolition activities on the mill site to ensure that the site is safe and environmentally sound when rebuilding activities begin. Hopefully this fall, before winter weather precludes most construction activity, some preliminary excavation and site preparation will begin. Engineering plans are ongoing via planning meetings with Babine mill management, company engineering staff, and an engineering firm who is helping with the overall layout and design of the new sawmill.
We are working in coordination with our First Nations partners, the Union, and the Village of Burns Lake to deliver a compelling message for providing the volume of timber that will be required to sustain Decker Lake and a new Babine sawmill facility. Due to the complexity of the issue and the concern expressed from other communities, the Special Committee on Timber Supply was convened and is conducting hearings around B.C. this month. Steve Zika and Richard Vossen will be making a presentation to the Committee on June 19th when the Committee is in Burns Lake for community testimony. The current timeline reflects that the Committee would make a decision in August and we are encouraging the “need for speed,” as it relates to Burns Lake and moving forward with the new sawmill.
Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation, help our employees, and work with the community on the recovery.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – May 4, 2012
As of May 4th, one Babine employee still remains under inpatient care and is undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his injuries. Ongoing professional counseling for employees and families continues to be available on a weekly basis by contract with PPC Canada. A counselor comes to Burns Lake from Smithers every Monday. Employees are encouraged to call 1/800/663-9099 to make an appointment for counseling.
We want our employees to work in a safe environment and to get home safely to their families, and so do our competitors. Due to the recent tragic explosion at Sinclar’s Lakeland Mills facility in Prince George and our devastating event at Babine, several of B.C.’s wood products manufacturers met May 3rd to show their full commitment to the health and safety of their employees. Meeting attendees resolved to form a task force to investigate combustion risks in mill facilities. Bruce Mallory attended to represent Babine/Hampton. The task force will include wood products manufacturer representatives, outside scientists, insurance engineers and experts, and other stakeholders in this issue. (See the related “Joint Industry Communiqué on Mill Safety” for a complete Task Force mandate.)
Also on May 3rd, WorkSafe B.C. held a forest industry-wide meeting to give an update on their findings regarding the explosion at Babine. Dave Salmon attended this meeting to represent Babine/Hampton. WorkSafe officials summarized what they have eliminated as a probable cause for the explosion at Babine and reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and will take months to conclude. A complete report on the investigation update can be found at WorkSafe B.C.
Many of our Babine management team and employees affected by our tragedy are offering assistance to Sinclair’s Lakeland management and employees by sharing resources and offering advice and comfort based on their own experiences. While there are similarities in the two recent tragic events, until Work Safe B.C. concludes their investigations into these incidents, no one can say for sure what caused the explosions or if the causes of the events are connected.
We are also working with the families of the two employees tragically lost in the Babine explosion to plan an appropriate onsite memorial for them, as well as private and public healing ceremonies when the site is safe to enter.
We are pleased to see progress in the startup of the Babine planer. A crew is now working to clean up the area and the energy system will likely start up Monday, May 7th. Drying will begin next Tuesday and the planer is set to begin running Thursday. Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation, help our employees, and work with the community on the recovery.
We are working continuously and cooperatively with B.C. Government officials and our partners at BLNDC on timber supply options. Due to the complexity of the issue and the concern expressed from other communities, the Government’s timber supply analysis has been delayed somewhat. Verification of the timber supply for Babine is paramount to our rebuild efforts, but work continues with planning meetings at the Babine sawmill office and in our corporate office focusing on designing and equipping the rebuilt sawmill. We have also engaged the services of a Vancouver, B.C., engineering firm to assist us with sawmill design.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – April 19, 2012
As of April 19th, one Babine employee remains under inpatient care and is undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his injuries. Ongoing professional counseling for employees and families continues to be available on a weekly basis by contract with PPC Canada. A counselor comes to Burns Lake from Smithers every Monday. Employees are encouraged to call 1/800/663-9099 to make an appointment for counseling.
We want our employees to work in a safe environment and to get home safely to their families. Two of our mills have undergone independent safety audits in the last 30 days and the other Hampton sawmills will follow suit before the end of the year. These audits by a “fresh set of eyes” has the potential to unveil areas where we can heighten awareness and make new safety improvements
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund has started to route funds to those in need. Due to restrictions imposed by the Privacy Act, Babine employees who are applying for assistance need to fill out and file a release form allowing the company to share basic employment and contact information with the Tragedy Fund. Information on the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund, as well as the criteria and application for assistance, can be found on the new Fund web site: www.burnslaketragedyfund.org. The criteria, information release, and application for obtaining assistance are also posted under the “Links to Resources” section of our web site. Forms can also be obtained and submitted at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union (BVCU) Lakes District Branch. The fund is estimated to have donations in excess of $375,000.
Good things continue to happen in Burns Lake: Early this month, B.C. officials announced funding of $2.4 million for expansion of the Burns Lake Recreation Center, which will expand the existing curling rink and arena by adding an additional 10,000 square foot building for a squash court, climbing wall, children’s indoor play area, workout gym, physical therapy area, and multi-use area. The $3 million project has additional funding coming from other sources, including the Village of Burns Lake. Construction will begin late 2012 with completion targeted for March 2015. Burns Lake Mayor Luke Strimbold commented, “Expansion of our arena and curling rink to create a new Lakes District Multi-sport Facility will be a great addition to Burns Lake. This expansion and healthy living project will create opportunities for training and coaching, accommodate health-care sessions and services, provide community meeting space, development of new recreation programs and improving current programs, as well as provide a venue for all community groups to utilize. This project represents another example of all areas of government working together to support the Village of Burns Lake.”
Thursday, April 12th, before a weekly community breakfast, The Minister of Health, Mike De Jong, announced that Burns Lake will receive funding to build a new hospital, something the community has been campaigning and promoting for over 10 years. This huge project will bring modern medical technology to the area, with building and staffing the new hospital expected to create about 200 direct jobs in the community, which is still reeling from the loss of the Babine Forest Products sawmill. Plans call for an acute care ward of up to 16 beds, room for emergency services, diagnostic imaging, a lab, pharmacy and a procedure room large enough to convert to an operating room in an emergency. Construction of the roughly $55-million dollar facility is expected to begin soon, with completion set for 2015. Other important local officials and First Nations Chiefs spoke about the excitement of receiving funds for a new hospital and the positive impact on the community. Steve Zika also gave an update at the meeting to the community on the status of the Babine sawmill investigation and rebuild plans.
WorkSafe B.C. has just informed us that they will release the site to us today, Thursday, April 19th, at noon. Our insurance representatives and other forensic experts are waiting patiently for the site to be available for timely resolution of the insurance claim.
Startup of the Babine planer has been pushed back to May due to some weather-dependent tasks, but progress has been made. Energy has been restored to the planer facility, with heat and sprinkler system activation to follow. The planer will startup to process the lumber inventory remaining at the mill, bringing 15 to 20 employees back to work for a month. Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation, help our employees, and work with the community on the recovery.
We are working continuously and cooperatively with B.C. Government officials and our partners at BLNDC on timber supply options, which are targeted to be available for review sometime in May. While verification of the timber supply is paramount to our planning efforts, we remain optimistic that the Babine mill will be rebuilt. Work is ongoing with planning meetings at the Babine sawmill office and in our corporate office focusing on designing and equipping the rebuilt sawmill.
Each visit to Burns Lake only serves up evidence of the ongoing resiliency and resourcefulness of the community as we move through this arduous recovery process.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – April 2, 2012
As of April 2nd, one Babine employee remains hospitalized and is undergoing rehabilitation treatment for his injuries. We are monitoring the well-being of our other injured employees and it is a priority to help them where we can.
We are ever mindful of how dangerous the forest products industry can be. We want our employees to work in a safe environment and to get home safely to their families. We have started the process of conducting independent safety audits at all of our sawmills. We are encouraged that a “fresh set of eyes” has the potential to unveil areas where we can heighten awareness and make new safety improvements
More information on the new executive members of the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund, who were elected March 19th, as well as the criteria and application for assistance, can be found on the new Fund web site: www.burnslaketragedyfund.org. The criteria and application for obtaining assistance are also posted under the “Links to Resources” section of our web site. Forms can also be obtained and submitted at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union (BVCU) Lakes District Branch. The fund is estimated to have donations of $375,000.
The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation recently announced that “the recovery of Burns Lake is well underway” thanks to collaborative efforts of the ministry, local MLA John Rustad, the Burns Lake Mayor and Council, Regional District of Bulkley Nechako, First Nations chiefs, union leaders and industry representatives “working tirelessly to help the community recover as quickly as possible.” The Economic Development Association of BC, which has a proven track record for creating strong strategic community plans, was in Burns Lake for a town hall meeting to review all the economic options for the area and shape a short-term economic strategy.
WorkSafe continues to conduct their investigation on the Babine mill site with no date yet set to return the site to Hampton Affiliates. Currently there are two cranes working to remove overhead hazards to facilitate the on-the ground portion of the investigation. Our insurance representatives are on site now to facilitate timely resolution of the insurance claim.
Startup of the Babine planer hinges on completion of some weather-dependent tasks, but progress is being made. Energy has been restored to the planer facility, with heat and sprinkler system activation to follow. The planer will likely start up in late April to process the lumber inventory remaining at the mill, bringing 15 to 20 employees back to work for a month. Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation and work with the community on the recovery.
We are working cooperatively with B.C. Government officials and our partners at BLNDC on timber supply options, which are targeted to be available for review sometime in April. While verification of the timber supply is paramount to our planning efforts, we remain optimistic that the Babine mill will be rebuilt. Work is ongoing with planning meetings focusing on designing and equipping the rebuilt sawmill.
The resiliency and resourcefulness of the Burns Lake Community proves to be a very positive force in the recovery process.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update –March 26, 2012
As of March 23rd, one of our Babine employees remains hospitalized and continues to be improving with the treatment for his injuries. We are monitoring the well-being of our other injured employees and it is a priority to help them where we can.
We are ever mindful of how dangerous the forest products industry can be. We want our employees to work in a safe environment and to get home safely to their families. We have plans in place to have independent safety audits at all of our sawmills this year. We are encouraged that a “fresh set of eyes” has the potential to unveil areas where we can heighten awareness and make new safety improvements.
The first Annual General Meeting of the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund was held Monday, March 19th, 6 p.m. at College of New Caledonia at which time the Fund executive members and voting members were elected. The criteria and application for obtaining assistance are posted under the “Links to Resources” section of our web site. Applications can be dropped off at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union.
Support for Burns Lake continues to come from a variety of sources and in particular from a payroll deduction drive spearheaded by the local Steelworkers Union. A recent employee-matched donation came in from Conifex, bringing the Union’s fund drive to over $100,000 in contributions for the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund.
The March 15th job fair at College of New Caledonia, in partnership with the Burns Lake Band, Skin Tyee Nation, and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, was deemed a success by its sponsors with over 360 people in attendance. Minister Pat Bell recently reported that over half of the former Babine employees have found new employment, including 40 who have gone to work for Endako, a mining company with operations in the region.
Aspenware Inc. is reportedly giving Burns Lake a serious look as a location for expansion and building a new factory to produce their environmentally-friendly wood disposable cutlery. The cutlery is made from two thin layers of birch or aspen with USDA approved binding and glaze components. The cutlery makes use of wood that is traditionally left to rot or burn after a logging job is completed. The company has acknowledged that preliminary expansion plans are being discussed by their Board of Directors. A new Aspenware factory could potentially add 120 jobs to the community.
A very positive development in the area comes from the B.C. government announcing that they are investing over $14 million in highway improvements in the Nechako Lakes region. Over half of this investment will be made in the Burns Lake area, with nearly $1 million targeted for day labor construction projects using local labor and equipment. In addition to adding jobs to the community, the improvements slated for Highway 16 through Burns Lake will dramatically improve safety for drivers and pedestrians. Projects will be up for bid beginning this month with completion targeted for this fall. Kudos to the Province of B.C.!
Village of Burns Lake Mayor and Council have approved the 2012 municipal budget with no increase in taxes in order to shield residents from additional financial hardships while the community is recovering from the loss of jobs at the Babine mill. Budget cuts were implemented in other areas to preserve the level of services and long-term planning for the Village.
WorkSafe continues to conduct their investigation on the Babine mill site with no date yet set to return the site to Hampton Affiliates. Our insurance representatives are being allowed on site now to enable timely resolution of the insurance claim.
About 80% of the Employment Insurance claims from out-of-work Babine employees have been processed and paid. Other claims are awaiting additional information for final processing.
Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation and work with the community on the recovery. Plans are moving forward to start the planer in April to process the lumber inventory remaining at the mill, bringing 15 to 20 employees back to work for a month. We have entered into an agreement to supply Sheraton Holdings Ltd. sawmill with logs for its start-up, which began March 6th, running one shift and employing seven people.
We continue to work cooperatively with Government officials and our partners at BLNDC on timber supply options, which are targeted to be available for review later this month or early April. The B.C. government is doing a good job in a difficult situation, moving as fast as practical with the timber supply issues. We remain optimistic that the Babine mill will be rebuilt, so we are being proactive with planning efforts focusing on designing and equipping the rebuilt sawmill.
We are inspired by the resiliency and resourcefulness of the Burns Lake Community.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update –March 12, 2012
As of March 12th, only one of our Babine employees is still hospitalized but is doing well with treatment for his injuries. We continue to monitor the well-being of our other injured employees, some of whom continue to receive outpatient care, and it is a priority to help them where we can.
We are living with the daily reminder of how dangerous our industry can be and the magnitude of the role that safety plays in our workplaces. The small fire at Decker Lake early last week was a frightening reminder of the need to be ever-vigilant in our safety and fire watch efforts. We are extremely grateful that no one was injured, damage to the plant was minimal, and are proud of the immediate efforts the Decker team put forth to extinguish the fire.
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund has received official status as a society. The first Annual General Meeting will be held Monday, March 19th, 6 p.m. at College of New Caledonia at which time the Fund executive members and voting members will be elected. If you or a member of your immediate family are eligible for assistance from the Fund, you are not eligible to be elected as a voting or executive member of the Fund society. The criteria and application for obtaining assistance have been finalized and are posted under the “Links to Resources” section of our web site. Applications can be dropped off at the Bulkley Valley Credit Union.
Support for Burns Lake continues to come from a variety of sources and with help from the Steelworkers Union. We received personal notification that the Sinclar Group Forest Products in Prince George and its employees will be contributing over $30,000 to the Fund. The President of Sinclar wrote in his message, “The Babine tragedy has hit home with all of our employees and there was tremendous outpouring of support for your employees and their families.” Conifex and its employees also donated over $30,000 to the Burns Lake disaster fund.
Municipal officials from the District of Mackenzie met recently with the Village of Burns Lake Mayor and Council to offer suggestions and share experiences from the temporary loss of a Canfor mill in 2008 which laid off 200 workers in their town of 4,500. This event was shortly after two other forest products companies closed their Mackenzie facilities, idling 1,000 workers and affected 300 loggers. Burns Lake Mayor, Luke Strimbold, commented that the Mackenzie suggestions were very helpful and would be looked at closely for integration into the community’s recovery.
The College of New Caledonia, in partnership with the Burns Lake Band, Skin Tyee Nation, and Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, is holding a second career and job fair on March 15th beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the college. A panel of potential employers will start the event off with a presentation focusing on available jobs and the qualifications necessary to be hired. Individuals are encouraged to bring a resumé to meet over 30 local, regional, and national employers and review opportunities for employment. Social services, forestry, mining, armed forces, banking, and construction are among the job sectors that will be represented.
WorkSafe continues to conduct their investigation on the Babine mill site with more than 20 investigators now engaged. According to WorkSafe, there are a number of areas in the sawmill that still need to be examined and no date has been set to return the site to Hampton Affiliates.
WorkSafe has set up a local claims team in the Lakes District Hospital to assure that injured workers’ and their families’ claim questions are answered and ongoing needs are met.
Senior management members from Hampton continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation and work with the community on the recovery. We plan to start up the planer in late March or April to process the lumber inventory remaining at the mill, which will bring about 15 to 20 employees back to work for a month.
Last week Minister of Forest, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson and MLA John Rustad visited Burns Lake to personally assess the situation and meet with company officials, First Nations and various community leaders and citizens. We thank the Government for its support and involvement during this difficult period.
We continue to work cooperatively with Government officials and our partners at BLNDC on timber supply options and remain optimistic that the sawmill will be rebuilt. Planning efforts focusing on rebuilding the Babine sawmill are already underway.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update –March 2, 2012
As of March 2nd, one of our Babine employees is still hospitalized and being treated for his injuries. We were delighted to have Derek MacDonald come home to his family last week after 34 days in the hospital. We continue to monitor the well-being of our other injured employees, some of whom continue to receive outpatient care, and it is a priority to help them where we can.
The tragic loss of the lives Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie leaves us forever with the somber reminder of how dangerous our industry can be and the magnitude of the role that safety plays in our workplaces.
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund is still under development, awaiting formal acknowledgement from government to begin their process of assisting Babine employees and others in the community affected by the explosion and fire at the sawmill.
Support for Burns Lake continues to come from a variety of sources. The Prince George community fundraiser last weekend with the band Sound Addiction raised $10,000 for the Burns Lake Rotary to distribute in the community. A Houston-hosted hockey game with the Burns Lake Braves raised over $4,000 for the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund.
The Lakes District Food Bank has doubled its operating hours in response to the January 20th tragedy at the sawmill and is now open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Tuesday. Families affected directly by the tragedy, as well as any other community member in need of food, only has to bring proof of identification and residency to the Food Bank for assistance. For information on volunteering or emergency food aid, please call Joanna Carnie at 250/692-3029.
Recovery focus for the community continues in high gear. The B.C. government is now looking at tourism to help rejuvenate the local economy. Minister Pat Bell believes there are many opportunities to promote tourism and ministry staff is working with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C., Northern B.C. Tourism Association, community members, and business leaders to develop a specific tourism strategy for the area. While not considering it a final solution, Bell has indicated it would be a step forward in the wake of the jobs lost to the community by the tragedy. The development of outdoor adventure attractions and, given that there are six First Nations in the area, interpretive centers are options. The Village of Burns Lake has been approved for funding to assist with production of a community trail map, mountain bike brochure, and to update their photo image collection.
Minister Bell has added a second pine beetle expert to the team analyzing timber supply in the area. He hopes to have a strategy to present to government within the next few weeks so that discussions on future timber availability with First Nations and Hampton can happen as soon as possible.
Bell is tentatively planning another job fair in mid-March, possibly in conjunction with the College of New Caledonia
WorkSafe is still conducting their investigation on the mill site and has not yet released any information on their findings.
Members of Hampton senior management continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation and work with the community on the recovery. We have access to the Babine office and the majority of our local salaried employees are working there. We plan to start up the planer in late March or April to process the lumber inventory remaining at the mill, which will bring about 15 to 20 employees back to work for a month.
We are awaiting results from the timber supply analysis, but remain optimistic that the sawmill will be rebuilt and planning efforts are underway.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update - February 24, 2012
As of February 24, 2012, one of our Babine employees is still hospitalized and being treated for his injuries. The rest have been released from hospital and have returned home, with some ongoing outpatient care being provided. We are monitoring our injured employees’ needs and progress and wish them a full and successful recovery. We continue to feel the grief that the tragic loss of two lives leaves us with and our thoughts remain with the Luggi and Charlie families.
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund continues to work through the organizational process of establishing non-profit status to provide financial assistance for employees and other members of the community who may need help. There will be an annual general meeting as soon as the organization is formalized to elect an executive, directors, and establish the criteria for assistance. Hampton recently received a letter of condolence from industry trade association, Council for Forest Industries (“COFI”), acknowledging a $10,000 contribution to the fund.
Burns Lake community member, Becky Thompson (250-692-9100), continues to help with the organization of the Babine Food Drive, a separate initiative from the Burns Lake Food Bank. She is receiving support from a variety of communities as well as the B.C. Food Bank.
Northern Development Initiatives Trust (“NDI Trust”), Prince George, announced expansion of its programs and funding to support the recovery of the Burns Lake community. This initiative would focus on consulting assistance and loan guarantees over the next three years to the service sector businesses in Burns Lake while decisions are finalized to rebuild the job base in the community. Retail and service businesses are the cement of the community and are not mobile like contractors, who potentially can move equipment to work for other mills in other communities. NDI Trust will also provide grant writer training and funds to hire grant writers for the Burns Lake area.
Chief Albert Gerow, President of the Burns Lake Native Development Corporation, Hampton’s partner in the Babine operation, said that "We are hopeful that this positive news brings a measure of stability and support to the retail and service sector businesses in our area as we work with our partners in local government and Hampton Forest Products to forge a new path forward together. I am encouraged by the strength of all of us working together at the local level for our people." (See the “Links to Resources” tab for contact information about NDI Trust.)
As a result of the Job Fair in Burns Lake earlier this month, Canfor made 14 employment offers and is still processing the resumes they collected at the Fair. Thompson Creek-Endako Mine has hired 17 former Babine employees, with 19 people currently in the hiring process, which can take up to 10 days. Sheraton Holdings Ltd. plans to hire five former Babine employees for its start-up. Other employers present at the Job Fair are still organizing resumes received at the Job Fair for potential recruitment. Additional job fairs are in the planning stages.
News of the tragedy continues to evoke amazing gestures of support for Burns Lake. The community of Quesnel has rallied around Burns Lake with generous food donations from local grocers and local radio airtime to generate support. Quesnel residents have also organized a live auction and dance for February 25th at the local Legion with all proceeds going to Burns Lake. West Fraser is matching funds from an employee payroll deduction fund for the Burns Lake tragedy. The Prince George community is also hosting a fundraiser tonight with a silent auction and concert by the group Sound Addiction at Kinsmen Hall. Fraser Lake citizens also went to bat for Babine employees with a community food drive.
Telus has offered a 50% reduction in phone and internet costs for residences and small businesses of Burns Lake and outlying areas. Savings will be applied automatically to late February/early March bills.
Members of Hampton senior management continue to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the ongoing investigation and work with the community on the recovery. Efforts are ongoing with government, our BLNDC partners, and the community to develop a timber supply scenario that will lead to the sawmill being rebuilt. We remain optimistic that the sawmill will be rebuilt.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office (250/692-7177).
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – February 17, 2012
As of February 17, 2012, two of our colleagues are still in hospital being treated for their injuries. The rest have been released from hospital and have returned home, with some ongoing outpatient care being provided. We will continue to monitor our injured employees’ needs and progress. We wish them a full and successful recovery.
We are in contact with the families of Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie to plan for a Reconciliation Ceremony, which First Nations will take the lead in planning. We continue to feel the shock, and grief the tragic loss of these two lives leaves us with and our heartfelt sympathy remains with the Luggi and Charlie families.
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund is receiving donations from all over North America and setting up criteria to be a non-profit entity to provide financial assistance for employees and other members of the community who may need help as a result of the fire. The Tragedy Fund has received in excess of $250,000, but many donations are being held until the organizational process is complete. Many Burns Lake businesses feature donation boxes for the Tragedy Fund or the Food Bank.
The Burns Lake Food Bank is stocked with generous recent donations from the community of Fraser Lake, the Burns Lake Overwaitea and the Bulkley Valley Credit Union. Burns Lake community member, Becky Thompson (250-692-9100), continues to help in lieu of direct contact with the Food Bank.
The Job Fair in Burns Lake last week had over 30 companies represented with a potential of 1,300 job opportunities, 400 of which are within an hour of Burns Lake. More than 300 people were estimated to attend the Job Fair. Mining jobs are available due to expansions by both Imperial Metals’ mills - Endako and Huckleberry. Sheraton Holdings Ltd. announced it will reopen its sawmill operations east of Burns Lake in March, creating seven to nine positions, with assistance from Hampton, who has offered to sell them the log profile they require to run. Other forest products jobs are available at Canfor and West Fraser, with contact available via their respective web sites: www.canfor.com and www.westfraser.com.
Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, is closely overseeing the community recovery process and said, "We are moving quickly, bringing together all levels of government, private companies and First Nations to develop strategies for Burns Lake to recover economically from the Babine Forest Products tragedy. John Rustad, Nechako Lakes MLA, is also personally involved in helping the community through this challenging time. "
We are working with Lakes District Employment and Career Services to match job seekers with employers who have vacancies. If you are interested in seeing what’s available, please call the company on 250-692-1826 to make an appointment to meet with a consultant.
The process of selling the logs we have decked in the bush on winter access roads is ongoing, as is work on a plan to process and dispose of the Babine rough lumber inventory, likely not until at least March.
Hampton senior management continues to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the investigation and the recovery. Work is ongoing with Government, our BLNDC partners, and the community to help our employees and their families and to develop a timber supply scenario that will lead to the sawmill being rebuilt.
News of the tragedy has traveled far and wide. Lakes District Middle School sister-school, Xianghe #1 Middle School in China, sent condolences via a letter from its principal to the Lakes District News. An elementary school in North Delta, B.C., sponsored a coin drive raising $1,500 to benefit students at Burns Lake William Konkin Elementary School.
Updates will continue as we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office, which is now back in operation.
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update – February 10, 2012
Our immediate and ongoing priority continues to be meeting the needs of our colleagues and their families and to support them in whatever way we can.
As of February 9, 2012, three of our colleagues are still in hospital being treated for their injuries. Two employees are still undergoing care on an out-patient basis and the rest have been released from hospital and have returned home. We will continue to visit them and monitor their needs and progress. We wish them a full and successful recovery.
Funerals and a memorial were held last weekend for the two individuals tragically killed in the incident and our prayers and thoughts are with the families of Robert Luggi and Carl Charlie. No words can adequately alleviate the shock, pain, and grief the tragic loss of these two lives leaves us with. It has an everlasting effect on these families, the community, and our company.
The Burns Lake Tragedy Fund continues to receive donations to the fund that are coming in from all over North America and to set criteria for financial assistance for employees and other members of the community who may need help as a result of the fire. The Tragedy Fund has received overwhelming financial support and is in the process of setting up a formal application process.
The fund has also made a commitment to ensure that the Burns Lake Food Bank remains stocked for as long as necessary to meet the needs of the community. We know that not everyone feels comfortable using the Food Bank, so a member of the community, Becky Thompson, has offered to help access whatever assistance they may need. Becky can be contacted on 250-692-9100.
We are working with Lakes District Employment and Career Services to match job seekers with employers who have vacancies. If you are interested in seeing what’s available, please call the company on 250-692-1826 to make an appointment to meet with a consultant. Canfor and West Fraser held a job fair February 8th in Burns Lake and can still be contacted via their respective web sites: www.canfor.com and www.westfraser.com . The process of selling the logs we have decked in the bush on winter access roads is ongoing, as is work on a plan to process and dispose of the Babine lumber inventory.
Pat Bell, B.C. Minister of Jobs, Tourism, and Innovation, has appointed Bob Clark, a forest products industry veteran to lead the on-the-ground recovery with short-term and long-term economic strategies between the community and the Ministry. Clark is working out of Burns Lake and began his role immediately after the appointment, January 30th.
Hampton senior management continues to be on site at Burns Lake to assist in the investigation and the recovery. We are also working with Government, our BLNDC partners, and the community to develop a timber supply scenario that will lead to the sawmill being rebuilt.
WorkSafe B.C. recently announced a ramp-up of the investigation with a new phase beginning that will involve heavy machinery. They have committed to hiring local labor when practical to assist with general jobs, but the mill site remains closed for safety reasons and to preserve evidence. We appreciate that WorkSafe noted in their release that Hampton has been forthcoming and cooperative.
Updates will be posted when we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office, which is now back in operation.
Babine Forest Products: Employee Update - February 2, 2012
Our immediate and ongoing priority is to meet the needs of our colleagues and their families and to support them in whatever way we can.
As of February 2, 2012, seven of our colleagues were still in hospital being treated for their injuries. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families and we wish them a full and successful recovery. We will continue to visit them and monitor their needs and progress.
As part of that process, we are working with the Burns Lake Tragedy Fund to manage donations to the fund that are coming in from all over North America and to set criteria for financial assistance for employees and other members of the community who may need help as a result of the fire.
The fund will soon be setting up a website with details of how to apply for support. The fund has also made a commitment to ensure that the Burns Lake Food Bank remains stocked for as long as necessary to meet the needs of the community.
We know that not everyone feels comfortable using the Food Bank, so a member of the community, Becky Thompson, has offered to help access whatever assistance they may need. Becky can be contacted on 250-692-9100.
To help employees find new jobs, we are working with Lakes District Employment and Career Services to match job seekers with employers who have vacancies. If you are interested in seeing what’s available, please call the company on 250-692-1826 to make an appointment to meet with a consultant.
Here at the mill, we are in the process of selling the logs we have decked in the bush on winter access roads. Our loggers are also back at work processing and hauling logs and we anticipate that the work will take another six weeks.
We will update you again when we have more information to share. In the meantime, we urge any employees or family members who need assistance to contact us at the mill office, which is now back in operation.
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