Health Canada to Inspect Endako Camp as Illnesses Remain Mystery

Sickness stories are exaggerated, facility meets standards say owners.

By Andrew MacLeod, June 22, 2011, TheTyee.ca 


A spokesperson for Health Canada said the federal government body will inspect a camp at a British Columbia mine where workers say illness has been widespread. 

Meanwhile the owners of the camp say anybody who wants to take a look is welcome and they'll find it well run. Stories of sickness are exaggerated and the camp is a good example of a First Nation participating in the economy, they say.

"Health Canada's responsibility is to conduct facility inspections, and food and water safety inspections, upon request," said Olivia Caron, a spokesperson for the federal agency. "Health Canada has followed up with the camp coordinator and will be visiting the site to conduct a general inspection of the facility." 

The Tyee reported last week that people who worked on the Endako Mines expansion project near Fraser Lake said they believed something at the Lejac camp where they were staying was making them and their co-workers sick. Complaints included coughing up blood, breathing problems and flu-like symptoms.

The camp is located on a reserve belonging to the Nadleh Whut'en First Nation, making it a responsibility of First Nations and Inuit Health, a branch of Health Canada.

"Health Canada has not received notifications from the company, miners or other authorities about potential illnesses on the campsite," said Caron. "Local and provincial public health organizations, including the Northern Health Authority, have not received any notification from the company, miners or health care workers either. Employees who are or may have been ill are encouraged to contact a physician."