Dam operators charged with criminal negligence

Ontario Power Generation, a dam manager and one of its operators were charged Friday with criminal negligence in connection with two deaths in 2002.

Ontario Provincial Police have charged the power company, Robert Bednarek and John Tammadge each with two counts of criminal negligence causing death and seven counts of criminal negligence causing bodily harm.

Approximately 20 people were enjoying a beautiful June Sunday in the High Falls channel of the Madawaska River, when sluice gates at the Barrett Chute Generating Station were opened, unleashing a torrent of water.

Cindy (Cynthia) Cadieux, 32, and her son Aaron, 7, died after they were swept over a cliff onto rocks below. Autopsies determined both died from drowning. Seven others were injured.

The deaths sparked a review of procedures at the plant, which is located about 100 kilometres west of Ottawa. OPG had said the water was released according to standard operating procedure.

The following month, OPG set up new barriers around the dam and patched existing fences. As well, guards were posted at different sites on the Madawaska River.

Ontario Provincial Police examined thousands of e-mails, taped phone calls, and policy documents to figure out why the gates were opened without warning.

The final police report contains 8,000 pages of documentation.

Tammadge, 50, is the manager of OPG's Ottawa/St. Lawrence Plant Group. Bednarek, 45, was operating the dam at the time of the accident.

Tammadge's lawyer, Patrick McCann, argues the manager was not to blame for the deadly accident. He's confident his client will be "exonerated."

The accused are to appear in Pembroke court on July 13.