A First Nation says it had a “productive discussion” Tuesday with British Columbia Premier John Horgan about a logging road where two university students recently died in a bus crash.
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations says Horgan told its representatives that the government began working on a engineering report for the road about a month ago.
It says he has agreed to meet with the First Nation in October to review the study.
Huu-ay-aht Chief Coun. Robert Dennis Sr. has long been seeking upgrades to the privately owned gravel road that is the only vehicle access between Port Alberni and First Nations communities in Bamfield.
The route is also the only one to the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre — the destination of a bus carrying 45 University of Victoria students that crashed Sept. 13, killing two passengers.
Dennis said the First Nation is disappointed the province didn’t agree to take immediate action to improve the road.
“We have been diligent for many years trying to get action on this, with upgrades to the road as our top priority as a nation,” he said in a statement.
“We are saddened that it took a tragedy to highlight the need to chipseal the road. We want the premier to understand that we are not going to rest until our vital link is safe for all who travel the road.”
READ MORE: John Horgan promises action after fatal mid-Island bus crash
B.C.’s Forest Safety Ombudsman called on the province to upgrade the logging road in 2008, noting the importance of the route not just for logging but to communities on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
The First Nation said since it opened in the 1970s, it has lost eight citizens and there have been “countless accidents” along the 78-kilometre road. It described the road as “dangerous.”
In the statement issued by the First Nation, Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions said she feels “optimistic moving forward.”
“We support and appreciate the dedication Huu-ay-aht has made as they continue to push this issue forward. As a city, we are making this our transportation priority.”
The crash on Sept. 13 killed two 18-year-old students, Emma Machado of Winnipeg and John Geerdes, who was from Iowa.
The RCMP and Transport Canada began investigations after the crash.
Earlier this month, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevena said the situation surrounding the road “is complex as this is a private, industrial road, operated and maintained by private companies for active forestry operations.”
The Huu-ay-aht First Nations said Horgan raised questions about the road’s ownership during their meeting, but Dennis said he does not believe the ownership of the road will be an issue.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 24, 2019.
The Canadian Press
READ MORE: Forestry watchdog warned B.C. government about Bamfield Road in 2008
