No clarity on whether body of worker who died at Fort Hill oilsands mine 3 months ago was ever recovered

Kenneth Joseph MacAulay (Courtesy Maureen MacAulay Huet/Facebook)

Three months after the death of a worker at an oilsands mine north of Fort McMurray, Alta., key questions remain—including, “Where’s the body?”

It’s not been made clear whether Kenneth Joseph MacAulay, who was inside a piece of equipment when it became submerged in muskeg, was ever recovered.

A month after the Jan. 13 incident, MacAulay’s obituary stated he’d “not be physically present at his memorial services.”

The incident happened at Suncor Energy’s Fort Hill mine.

Canadian Occupational Safety reported in late January Suncor “had hired a private industrial dive team” to search for MacAulay.

A follow-up report in early February still cited him as missing.

CTV News Calgary made three requests to Suncor for comment in as many days.

All went unanswered.

The Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL), which has stood firm on its outrage over this incident, is again speaking out.

“Three months after this worker’s death, no one can confirm whether their body has even been recovered,” said Gil McGowan, AFL president.

“We cannot imagine how devastating that uncertainty must be for their family, their community and their co-workers.”

McGowan said workplace fatalities “must be investigated by police to determine whether criminal prosecutions are necessary.”

“That is clearly not happening,” he said.

“That’s a problem.”

McGowan called on the provincial government to “live up to its legal responsibility under the Westray Law and its moral responsibility to Alberta workers and families to co-ordinate with police to investigate every workplace death.”

RCMP say that “because this was a workplace accident,” it’s not a matter for them to speak on.

This is as per usual in workplace fatalities where nothing suspicious is found, Mounties said.

RCMP deferred to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).

OHS provided CTV News Calgary with a statement.

“Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) continues to investigate a workplace fatality that occurred near Fort McMurray on Jan. 13,” OHS said.

“One worker died after equipment the worker was operating became submerged in muskeg.”

“As this is an active OHS investigation, no further information will be provided,” OHS said.

“Each investigation is unique, and timelines vary depending on an investigation’s complexity.”

OHS said it must, “by law,” complete its investigation and determine next steps “within two years of the incident date.”

MacAulay, who was 66 years old, has not been named as the victim of this incident by Suncor, RCMP or OHS.

His family in Souris, P.E.I., did so.

His obituary describes “his sudden passing in a tragic accident.”

“Kenny loved fiercely and wholeheartedly,” his obituary said.

“He touched countless lives and was often at the center of laughter, stories and cherished memories.”

“Kenny was a thousand things,” it said.

“You could go on forever listing all of his qualities, but words have a way of falling short when they try to hold someone like him.”