National

RCMP says Lytton wildfire probe still active, two years after village's destruction

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Jun, 2023 02:17 PM

Mounties say their investigation into the devastating fire that destroyed most of the village of Lytton, B.C., two years ago remains "active and ongoing."

Staff Sgt. Kris Clark of the B.C. RCMP says officers don't have a timeline for when their probe into possible criminality might be complete, and are mindful of other investigations around regulatory compliance and the cause of the fire.

A state of local emergency was declared by the village on June 30, 2021, after B.C.'s sweltering heat dome triggered a wildfire that killed two people and burned homes, businesses and local infrastructure.

The state of emergency was only lifted this June with local officials suggesting people could start rebuilding in a few months, though it remains unclear how many will decide to return.

In a joint statement, Premier David Eby and Minister of Emergency Management Bowinn Ma say the devastation caused by the wildfire profoundly affected the Nlaka'pamux Nation, the village of Lytton and the greater Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

They say debris removal, environmental remediation and archeology requirements have been completed, including the protection of Nlaka'pamux heritage resources.

"The Village of Lytton is transitioning from recovery to rebuilding and has lifted the state of local emergency. Hydro, water and sewage water infrastructure are being repaired and the boil-water advisory has been lifted. The village has established an office within the community and local events are resuming," they say.

"We know that people are eager to return to their community and there is much to be hopeful about."

The Village of Lytton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District are suing Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways and Transport Canada, alleging they were negligent to let trains pass through the town during the heat dome. The district says the claim was brought on its behalf by its insurer, the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C.

The notice of claim filed in B.C. Supreme Court on June 16 says a train passed through the village 18 minutes before the first report of a fire near the tracks that eventually destroyed 90 per cent of the town's buildings.

A Transportation Safety Board report released in October 2021 did not find evidence that railway operations sparked the Lytton wildfire.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Nexus pilot project expands to Peace Bridge

Instead of meeting U.S. and Canadian agents at the same time, applicants are interviewed first in Canada before crossing the border for a second interview with American officials.

Nexus pilot project expands to Peace Bridge

New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

As of Dec. 31, workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to three paid sick days. Workers will then get a fourth sick day as of Feb. 1, and will accumulate one additional day at the start of every month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.

New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

Applications open for dental care benefits

The benefit, to be used toward dental services, is available for children under 12 in families that earn less than $90,000 a year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.

Applications open for dental care benefits

Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

It's a record that will likely be beaten more than once in the coming years, as a Canadian federal immigration plan released earlier this month aims to admit 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023 and 500,000 a year by 2025, with a particular focus on bringing in people with needed skills and experience.

Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

How $10-a-day child care is rolling out in Canada

British Columbia was the first to sign on, inking a $3.2-billion deal in July 2021 with plans to create 30,000 new child-care spaces within five years and 40,000 within seven years. B.C. started a $10-a-day program at select facilities in 2018 and plans to double those spaces to 12,500 this month.

How $10-a-day child care is rolling out in Canada

B.C. public school teachers ratify new contract

It boosts annual salaries for new teachers as much as $8,500 by the end of the third year while B.C.'s highest-paid educators will earn up to $13,500 more over the same period, which Johnston says pushes them above the $100,000-per-year threshold for the first time.