Union Demands Criminal Charges Five Years After Deadly Crane Collapse

The International Union of Operating Engineers has renewed its call for criminal prosecutions, marking the fifth anniversary of a tower crane collapse in Kelowna, British Columbia, that killed five…

The International Union of Operating Engineers has renewed its call for criminal prosecutions, marking the fifth anniversary of a tower crane collapse in Kelowna, British Columbia, that killed five workers. The union is pressing the British Columbia Prosecution Service to finally decide on recommended charges of criminal negligence causing death — a decision that has been pending for over two years and now leaves families and the construction industry questioning whether workplace fatalities will ever face meaningful legal consequences.

A Long Wait for Justice

The crane collapsed on July 12, 2021, killing Cailen Vilness, Jared Zook, Eric and Patrick Stemmer, and Brad Zawislak. In February 2024, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police formally recommended that prosecutors assess charges of criminal negligence. Yet the B.C. Prosecution Service has indicated that a decision remains outstanding, with a further update potentially not coming until later in 2026.

The union described the five-year wait as excessive for grieving families and the wider labour community. It is now urging the prosecution service to finalise its assessment without further delay.

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Investigation Findings Still Under Wraps

WorkSafeBC completed its independent investigation into the structural failure in May 2023, but the findings have not been released to the public. Authorities have cited the ongoing criminal assessment as the reason for withholding the report, arguing that its release could compromise potential legal proceedings.

The lack of transparency has frustrated victim advocates, who continue to push for clarity on the technical causes of the collapse.

Civil Cases and New Safety Rules

The anniversary follows years of civil litigation. In July 2023, Stemmer Construction filed a lawsuit against crane manufacturer Liebherr. Around the same time, Helen Margaret Furuya, the widow of one victim, launched legal action against both Stemmer Construction and the Mission Group.

In a direct response to the tragedy, the British Columbia government announced a new crane licensing programme in March 2026. Crane operation is being transitioned into a certified skilled trade, requiring mandatory certification for operators — a move intended to improve safety standards across the province's construction sites.

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A Place of Remembrance

To honour the five men who died, the Rise Memorial Gardens was permanently opened on April 28, 2025, providing a site of remembrance for the community and the families.

The union continues to advocate for stricter enforcement of the Westray Law, which allows for the criminal prosecution of organisations and individuals for workplace deaths and injuries. For the families of those killed in Kelowna, the question remains whether that law will ever be applied to their case.