Ontario’s Ministry of Labour charged with criminal negligence causing death in Sudbury, Ont., mining fatality

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour and one of its employees have been charged with criminal negligence causing death in connection with a 2006 mining fatality in the Sudbury area.

Ontario’s Ministry of Labour and one of its employees have been charged with criminal negligence causing death in connection with a 2006 mining fatality in the Sudbury area.

Raymond Campeau was 47 when he died underground at Podolsky Mine in Capreol while working as a mechanic for Dynatec Corp.

The charges are a private prosecution brought by his widow, Faye Smith. According to court documents obtained by NorthernOntario.CTVNews.ca, a justice of the peace in Sudbury ruled in March that there were grounds to proceed with the charges.

A court date has been set for June 26 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Sudbury. A summons to appear has been issued for the Ministry of Labour, Dan Beaulieu, who worked for the ministry at the time, Dynatec Corp., Chris Stewart, Terry Jibbs and Stylianos Kontonikolas.

All have been charged with criminal negligence causing death under Section 220 (B) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Campeau was working 2,000 feet underground at Podolsky Mine on May 25, 2006, when a winch he was trying to repair exploded, sending metal fragments flying at high speed. Campeau's legs were badly damaged and he died 90 minutes later. An inquest into his death was held in 2008.

His widow sued the province in 2018, arguing the Ministry of Labour inspector had identified the winch as a significant safety hazard and issued orders that the problems be rectified, but failed to follow through.