Our Stories

British Columbia has been safely mining and transporting coal for more than 100 years. Click on the faces below and learn more about the industry from the British Columbians who make up our province’s coal sector. More personal stories will continue to be added, featuring others along the supply chain.

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Mary
Giuliano

Mary Giuliano

City of Fernie

Mary Giuliano, Mayor of Fernie, speaks about the benefits of the coal industry in her community.

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Cal
McDougall

Cal McDougall

District of Sparwood

Cal McDougall, Mayor of Sparwood, speaks about the benefits of the coal industry in his community.

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Patty
Vadnais

Patty Vadnais

Fernie Chamber of Commerce

Patty Vadnais, Executive Director, Fernie Chamber of Commerce, speaks about the importance of the coal industry to the local economy.

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Norma
McDougall

Norma McDougall

Sparwood Chamber of Commerce

Norma McDougall, Manager of Sparwood Chamber of Commerce, speaks about the importance of the coal industry to the local economy and community.

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Jon
Levesque

Jon Levesque

Gearhub

Jon Levesque, Proprietor of the Gearhub store in Fernie, talks about the importance of coal mining for families and small businesses in the local community.

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Thomas
Finnbogason

Thomas Finnbogason

Envirochem Services Inc

Thomas Finnbogason, Partner & Director, Envirochem Services Inc speaks about the work his company does helping coal terminals ensure that they are meeting or exceeding environmental standards.

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Nash
Sohi

Nash Sohi

Motion Industries

Technical Sales Representative at Motion Industries, speaks about the opportunities for companies providing services to the coal industry.

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Lee
Boyden

Lee Boyden

Brymark Installations

Project Manager at Brymark Installations, speaks about the work his company undertakes at shipping terminals, supporting the coal industry.

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Tim
Wright

Tim Wright

enCompass Solutions Group

Automation Manager at enCompass Solutions Group, talks about his company's work installing automated systems in the coal industry.

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Spike
Contini

Spike Contini

ILWU Canada

Retired ILWU member Spike Contini looks back on his career working with coal in British Columbia.

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Dennis
Gantner

Dennis Gantner

USW

Operator & Safety Rep. with USW has worked in the coal industry for 7 ½ years. Hear him speak about his experience.

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Lois
Halko

Lois Halko

Councilor of Sparwood

Councillor and former Mayor of Sparwood, speaks about the benefits of the coal industry for her community.

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Taylor
Smith

Taylor Smith

Brymark Installations

Project Coordinator at Brymark Installations, talks about the work his company does installing dust suppression systems at Westshore Terminals.

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Tony
Brown

Tony Brown

ILWU Canada

Retired ILWU Member, reflects on his career in the coal industry and the opportunities that the sector provides.

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Rod
Butler

Rod Butler

Westshore Terminals

Member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, and electrician at Westshore Terminals, speaks about his 30 year career in the coal industry.

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Jim
Belsheim

Jim Belsheim

Neptune Terminals

President at Neptune Terminals, speaks about the community involvement initiatives at Neptune Terminals.

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Joanne
Tulk

Joanne Tulk

USW

Apprentice Electrician with USW, speaks about her 15 year career in the coal industry.

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Alan
Fryer

Alan Fryer

B.C.'s Economy

The benefits of BC's coal industry.

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David
Crook

David Crook

Westshore Terminals

Manager of Engineering and Environmental Services at Westshore Terminals, speaks about dust control initiatives introduced at Westshore Terminals to make it a safe working environment.

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Rob
Ashton

Rob Ashton

ILWU Canada: Health

First Vice President, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about heath and safety in the coal industry.

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Paul
Lafreniere

Paul Lafreniere

USW

Heavy Duty Mechanic with USW, has worked in the coal industry for 6 years. Hear him speak about what it is like working with coal.

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Marlene
Bacon

Marlene Bacon

Westshore Terminals

Member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, and buyer at Westshore Terminals, speaks about her 32 year career in the coal industry.

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Denis
Horgan

Denis Horgan

Westshore Terminals

Former Vice President & General Manager at Westshore Terminals, speaks about safety initiatives at Westshore Terminals and benefits of the coal industry.

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Rob
Ashton

Rob Ashton

ILWU Canada: Jobs

First Vice President, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about benefits of working in the coal industry.

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Charlie
Matthews

Charlie Matthews

Teck

Foreman at Teck, has been working in the coal industry for 13 years. Hear him speak about what products come from coal.

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Mark
Gordienko

Mark Gordienko

ILWU Canada: Jobs

President, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about the benefits of working in the coal industry.

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Ray
Baillargeon

Ray Baillargeon

Teck

General Foreman at Teck, speaks about his experience working in the coal industry.

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Romeo
Bordignon

Romeo Bordignon

ILWU Canada

Third Vice President, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about safety in the coal industry.

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Glen
Atkinson

Glen Atkinson

Neptune Terminals

Member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, and bulk operator at Neptune Terminals speaks about his 40 year career in the coal industry at Neptune Terminals.

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Brian
Cochrane

Brian Cochrane

Operating Engineers

Business Manager of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115, speaks about the health and safety of in the coal industry.

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Brian
Veitenheimer

Brian Veitenheimer

USW

Light Vehicle Mechanic with USW has worked in the coal industry for 4 years. Hear him speak about his experience.

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Joe
Breaks

Joe Breaks

Westshore Terminals

Retired member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, and former employee at Westshore Terminals for 18 years, speaks about the benefits of working in the coal industry.

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Andrea
Unger

Andrea Unger

Neptune Terminals

Member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, and labourer at Neptune Terminals speaks about the benefits of working in the coal industry.

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Alan
Fryer

Alan Fryer

Safety

Safety in BC's coal industry.

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Wade
Robertson

Wade Robertson

Westshore Terminals

Member of International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about his 35 year career in the coal industry at Westshore Terminals.

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Tom
Sigurdson

Tom Sigurdson

BC Building Trades

Executive Director of BC Building Trades, speaks about the benefits of in the coal industry.

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Dwayne
Matatall

Dwayne Matatall

USW

Welder with USW has worked in the coal industry for 25 years.

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Mark
Gordienko

Mark Gordienko

ILWU Canada: Health

President, International Longshore & Warehouse Union Canada, speaks about health and safety in the coal industry.

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Jocelyne
Allard

Jocelyne Allard

USW

Haul Truck Operator with USW speaks about working in the coal industry.

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Steve
Hunt

Steve Hunt

USW

District Director, United Steelworkers, discusses the commitment to health and safety in the coal mining industry.

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Jen
Schlender

Jen Schlender

USW

Warehouse Apprentice with USW has worked in the coal industry for 7 years. Hear her speak about her experience.

BUILDING COMMUNITIES

B.C.’s coal industry creates over 26,000 well paying jobs in mining, transportation, equipment and many other sectors. We also proudly support thousands of small and medium sized businesses in communities across the province.

FOCUSED ON SAFETY

The B.C. coal industry brings a commitment to operate safely and responsibly from mine to marine terminal. The results of this commitment is that our workers and the communities where we live and work are safe.

Ask a Question

Featured Question

View more in Q&A

Q:

Is coal safe?

Posted March 26, 2015

A:

Coal is an inert mineral and has been safely handled by thousands of workers at mine sites, by rail employees along the rail lines and in Port Metro Vancouver for more than 45 years. There is no evidence of health impacts from the mining, transportation or shipping of coal in British Columbia.

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