Cold Lake First Nations Casino Corporation, as an employer, pleaded guilty on March 19 in the Cold Lake Court of Justice to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code for failing to eliminate or control a hazard identified by a hazard assessment. The Crown withdrew three other counts.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at the Casino Dene in Cold Lake on Sept. 22, 2023. A worker was struck and pinned by falling lockers, sustaining serious injuries.
The company was fined $70,000 including the victim fine surcharge and placed on two years of enhanced regulatory supervision. The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalties.
The Crown withdrew four OHS charges each against Cold Lake First Nations Casino Corporation operating as Casino Dene and Casino Dene LP.
Alberta’s OHS laws set basic health and safety rules for workplaces across the province. They provide guidance for employers to help them ensure their workplaces are as healthy and safe as possible while providing rights and protections for workers. Charges under OHS laws may be laid when failing to follow the rules results in a fatality or serious injury.
Quick facts
- Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration does not provide sentence documents. These are available through the Cold Lake Court of Justice.
- An enhanced regulatory supervision order requires a convicted party to complete a number of action items to improve corporate or individual health and safety systems or knowledge.