No criminal charges for company that employed apprentice plumber killed in trench collapse
CBC
The company that employed an apprentice plumber who was killed on the job in a trench collapse will not face criminal charges, CBC News has learned.
Liam Johnston, 27, died in June 2023 while doing sewer repairs in the northwest community of Charleswood.
In May, Mr. Mike’s Plumbing was charged with 11 offences under Alberta’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act.
On Thursday, the company pleaded not guilty, and trial dates for those charges were set for June and July 2026.
“The not guilty plea is not unexpected but still frustrating,” said Johnston’s girlfriend, Emily Gofton, after the court appearance.
“I think that they have notoriously hid from the truth of the matter from the day Liam died so this very much falls in line with that.”
Earlier this year, the Calgary Police Service (CPS) said it had handed the results of its investigation over to the Crown’s office to determine whether criminal charges would be laid.
Gofton had been hoping that CPS would soon announce criminal charges. She said the family has now been told that won’t happen.
CPS confirmed the development in a statement provided to CBC News.
“The Calgary Police Service has determined there is not sufficient evidence to support criminal charges after consultation with the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service,” reads the statement.
Christopher Spasoff, a lawyer for Mr. Mike’s Plumbing, also provided a written statement.
“Mr. Mike's appreciates the professionalism of the Calgary Police Service and the Crown's Office throughout the course of their investigation,” the statement says.
“Out of respect for the legal process and Mr. Johnston's family, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Gofton says the news has “completely shaken” the family.
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