By David Wiwchar

Fire Order allows access to mill

Jul 10, 2024 | 10:34 AM

A late-night inspection of the SAN Group’s reman mill last Thursday by police and fire officials was not illegal as company officials allege.

The search at 11:30 pm on July 4th was to check if conditions of a previously-imposed fire order were in place.

The Fire Order issued in September 2022, said no structures on the mill property could be used as sleeping quarters.

Sources say while no one was found sleeping at the mill last week, there were some beds found on site.

City CAO Mike Fox says the 2022 order is still in effect and it should not have been taken down from wherever it was posted throughout the mill site.

firm handshake

B.C. NDP government, Greens reach 'shared priorities' agreement

1h ago

young volunteers

'Make a big difference:' Nanaimo volunteers collecting warm clothing for those in need

2h ago

strong storm

Wind warning issued as Pacific storm approaches Island

3h ago

“The previous order was never rescinded,” he said. “It should’ve been on all locations. Somebody can remove it. I believe in our bylaw it’s a $200 fine if somebody tampers with the fire order that has been placed. There’s other buildings in town that currently have fire orders onthem and if you go by them you will see a posted order and what restrictions are on the building.”

The accomodation of Temporary Foreign Workers became an issue last week after 16 Vietnamese workers were found living in a small trailer with no running water at SAN’s Hector Road mill site.

WorkSafeBC has issued 27 corrective orders against the SAN Group over the past two years, and imposed penalties of more than $78,000.

4 months ago, the BC Supreme Court ordered the SAN Group to pay almost $7.5 million in forestry related charges.