The family of a young man from Fredericton who died in a workplace accident in Alberta in 2014 is preparing for the sentencing of his former employer.
Jordan Gahan was operating heavy equipment when the machinery he was operating fell through the ice. Brayford Trucking Ltd. has been charged with five counts of failing to protect Gahan as an employee.
Leica Gahan, Jordan’s mother, says the prosecution in Alberta has told her the company will be fined and placed on probation.
“This company is going to have to fulfill training requirements, they'll have to join some safety organizations, and they're several aspects to that corporate probation. They have to report to the court,” said Leica Gahan.
Gahan works as a health and safety officer for a company in Fredericton. She says she's also been told the company will release a statement acknowledging what happened, as well as the safeguards they've since put in place.
Judges can make special recommendations in sentencing, but Gahan would like to see probation and a letter of acknowledgment become standard in cases where an employer is found to be at fault after a workplace fatality.
Leica Gahan says it will bring her comfort, and wants the same for other families as a way to honour the memory of her son.
“There's nothing that is going to happen in the courthouse that is going to make me happy, because how do you put a value dollar on your son's life? There's no way,” said Gahan. “But if it can change other people's lives and keep other people safe, then my son didn't die in vain.”
Gahan also hopes the sentencing will help her family move forward.
“We miss his enthusiasm, his zest for life, and he lived a full lifetime in 21 years.”
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.
