Naomi Larson
TUMBLER RIDGE — When news of the killings reached Conuma Resources offices in Tumbler Ridge, chief executive officer Brian Sullivan said the response was immediate: shut down operations to reunite families and allow the community to process the tragedy.
“On Tuesday afternoon when the incident happened everybody went home from Quintette immediately,” Sullivan said. The mine has remained closed since and is set to reopen Friday morning. “We will be back with a normal work schedule while making accommodations for people whose families were directly affected.”
Sullivan said it is difficult to work in any context after six young lives were lost and two others were left fighting for their lives in hospital.
“Everything else becomes secondary at that moment,” he said.
He said returning to normal operations, even after 48 hours, is challenging. “Do we really think 48 hours is enough time to grieve and mourn this?” he asked. He added that while time is needed, restoring some sense of normalcy is also important.
“We want to be very accommodating of people and make sure that their minds are on doing their job safely and taking care of each other,” he said. “All of this was done with the human aspect in mind. These are our neighbours and friends… it was the absolutely right thing to do.”
Employees also have access to supports through the company’s benefits provider, including counsellors working directly with staff. Counsellors are available at the town office, at Quintette, and at the Willow Creek mine near Chetwynd.
To keep employees informed, Sullivan said the mine uses the Everbridge alert system to send emergency updates by phone and email.
“We put quite a bit of time into that program and it works well in these circumstances,” he said. “Plus our HR teams have been communicating with the various sites to make sure any unanswered questions are addressed. I understand the frustration people have about not getting information fast enough. That is another level of anxiety we are sensitive to.”
Beyond the immediate families, Sullivan said Conuma has received an outpouring of support from industry partners. As a result, the company is establishing a fund to support community youth as they recover from the traumatic event.
“And that could take many forms,” he said. “There’s going to be a long list of things that we want to contribute. We’re really gathering ideas right now in terms of what we could do to support the school system.”
He said that could include additional classroom space and resources for the remainder of the school year.
“As the school tells us what needs are unmet we will certainly help them meet those through Conuma’s own charity and by helping direct efforts from others we work with,” he said. “Literally dozens of people have connected with me over the last 48 hours wanting to help.”
Sullivan said the Tumbler Ridge the community once knew has changed forever.
“But there’s an opportunity to make something good and lasting in memory of the people we lost,” he said. “Tumbler Ridge is noteworthy for its resilience and closeness of the community. It feels like a big family.”
Calling it the greatest test the community has ever faced, Sullivan said, “I don’t know why we’re being tested but I’m absolutely sure Tumbler Ridge will come out of this and heal and remember the people we lost and their memory will drive us forward and the community will come together.
“I have a great deal of hope even though there’s a great deal of sadness.”
Sullivan also acknowledged the support and resilience of the District of Tumbler Ridge, first responders, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
He said he does not know how the days ahead will unfold, “but we will do it together as we’ve always done.”
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
