Jean-Napoléon Drouin trial continues over fatal Cantley blasting accident

The trial of Jean-Napoléon Drouin continues at the Gatineau courthouse regarding a fatal 2022 blasting accident in Cantley. Drouin, the former operations manager for Dynamitage Outaouais, faces charges of criminal negligence causing death and failure to take reasonable precautions to prevent injury or death.

The incident occurred on September 8, 2022, when 46-year-old excavator operator Roch Morin was struck by the force of an explosion and thrown to the ground, resulting in his death. A report from the Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST) concluded that the blasting work was dangerously planned and that workers were not instructed to clear the blast zone.

In a related civil matter, the victim's partner is seeking $1.9 million in damages from Dynamitage Outaouais and the construction site owners, alleging serious failures in safety and supervision.