It received numerous complaints about a mushroom farm in Langley, but the B.C. ministry of environment took no formal action before a tragedy in 2008.
A regional manager says the department’s goal is to make sure violators stop, but John Braman admits no enforcement orders were carried out before three men were killed by toxic fumes.
He says complaints – mainly about air quality – were received in 2006 and steps were taken to address them.
He denies ministry staff did nothing because they were “riding on the coattails” of the Township of Langley and were expecting them to take action.
Braman says any evidence of safety hazards would have been reported to the township and Worksafe BC, but he admits those communications are informal and “discretionary.”
He wrapped up his testimony saying “it’s just common sense” to report risks to other regulators.