Author of Rock Reject Jim Williams was recently interviewed on CBC radio, and just in case you missed the original broadcast, we’ve got you covered. Just click the link below to listen to Jim talk about his time working in the asbestos mine in Cassiar and his inspiration for writing Rock Reject, which, in case you were wondering, takes place in an asbestos mine in the 1970s.
Jim’s interview comes after a series of powerful investigative reports done by CBC revealed that no one is tracking the health of the miners, and their family members, who lived and worked in the mines in Cassiar. Meaning that many people could develop serious asbestos-related illnesses, illnesses that take twenty years to surface and that are hard to detect early on. Health and safety standards, such as ventilators or face masks were not available to workers in the mine.
Rock Reject mirrors Jim’s experience living and working in Cassiar. The protagonist, Peter, experiences first-hand the incredibly dangerous working conditions and the harsh environmental consequences of mining. Jim, in fact, became heavily involved with the miner’s union in Cassiar, pushing for increased safety regulations for miners. Jim has also dedicated Rock Reject to all those who have been affected by asbestos-related health issues.
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