No criminal charges to be laid in fatal July 2020 rollover on Columbia Icefield: RCMP
No criminal charges will be laid in connection to the rollover of an icefield tour bus in the Rocky Mountains which killed three passengers and injured 14 others.
RCMP on Friday announced they and crown prosecutors found "no criminal charges are warranted" in the July 2020 crash on Alberta's Athabasca Glacier.
"They conducted quite a very thorough investigation of that scene, taking witness statements and measurements of the scene itself. Ultimately, the Ice Explorer itself was seized and examined. It was a very involved multifaceted investigation," media officer Cpl. Troy Savinkoff explained in an interview.
Mounties concluded their investigation earlier in 2022 and have been reviewing evidence since then.
"Once all that evidence was obtained, the RCMP investigators coordinated with the Alberta crown prosecutors office and went through all the evidence presented with the ultimate question: Is there a criminal offence that has occurred here that we can prosecute?
"Ultimately, the decision was made that there wasn't enough evidence in order to lay criminal charges."
RCMP attend the scene of a sightseeing bus rollover at the Columbia Icefields near Jasper, Alta., Sunday, July 19, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
OH&S CHARGES
Police investigated separately from Occupational Health and Safety, although the two agencies shared evidence, Savinkoff said.
In May, the Alberta government announced eight charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act against tour company Brewster Inc. Three of the charges are failing to ensure the health and safety of passengers by not controlling the hazard of the "slope of the lateral moraine." Lateral moraines are piles of rock and debris which form on the sides of glaciers.
Other charges were related to equipment maintenance and failing to mandate seat belt rules amongst employees.
Savinkoff could not comment on what would come of the regulatory charges.
The company is expected to enter a plea for them on Dec. 22 in Jasper provincial court.
- Brewster Inc. faces 8 provincial charges after fatal Columbia Icefield rollover
- Prosecutors have report on fatal Icefield bus rollover after RCMP complete investigation
PANDEMIC, COMPLEXITY BEHIND DELAY
Savinkoff acknowledged the investigation that took two years was somewhat unusually long.
The pandemic was partially to blame, Savinkoff told CTV News Edmonton, but so was the case's complexity.
"You want to make sure you do it correct [sic] because it's a very important investigation."
Several lawsuits have also been launched in connection to the incident.
- Class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of passengers in fatal Icefield bus crash
- Lawsuit by survivors of fatal Alta. icefield rollover totals $17M
- Lawsuits linked to deadly Columbia Icefield crash name Parks Canada among defendants
Mounties say they shared all of their investigative material with the labour ministry, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Columbia Icefield tours resumed in 2021 with new safety features and protocols.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Adam Lachacz and CTV News Calgary's Michael Franklin
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.