Monday, Oct 15, 2007
CTV.ca
Court hears arguments for blame in NWT bomb blast
The submissions of SGM's Lyle Kanee in an appeal before the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal were quoted by the Canadian Press and CTV.ca today. The appeal is from a 2004 decision in which the CAW-National, Royal Oak Mines, Pinkerton’s security and the government of the Northwest Territories were found liable in negligence for the deaths of nine miners who were killed when a bomb planted by Roger Warren blew up in the mine. They appealed to the Northwest Territories Court of Appeal who heard arguments this week. Lyle Kanee, who represents the CAW-National, was quoted as suggesting to the appeal court that holding the national union responsible for the actions of a member of a local union was like blaming a hockey coach for an out-of-control goon or parents for the crimes of their children. “Our legal system is premised on the suggestion that individuals are responsible for their own actions. Never before has a Canadian court found negligence for influencing the mindset of a criminal before a criminal act was committed."
