The province announced July 13 that it would make it easier for Elliot Lake families to replace government-issued documents left behind at the Algo Centre Mall.

Some employees and shoppers had to leave their personal belongings behind when the mall was evacuated after the roof collapsed on June 23. They can't enter the mall to retrieve them due to safety concerns and an ongoing investigation.

The province will allow these documents to be replaced free-of-charge.

"It's our duty to assist Ontarians in times of great need,” Harinder S. Takhar, minister of Government Services, said Friday. “We want to help in the rebuilding efforts and hope that providing no-cost document replacement makes it a bit easier for families who were affected by this tragedy."

Documents covered by the exemption include driver's licences, vehicle registrations, Ontario Photo Cards, Outdoors Cards and affixed hunting and fishing licences. Those who already paid for replacement documents will be reimbursed.

Affected individuals can replace their missing documentation at the Elliot Lake ServiceOntario centre at 50 Hillside Drive North.

Ontario also announced this month that is providing a $2-million continuity fund and a $264,050 community adjustment agreement to help Elliot Lake retailers and workers reopen and rebuild their businesses.

The province is also in the process of setting up a temporary provincial economic revitalization office in the community to help the municipality, local businesses and other stakeholders with economic recovery efforts.

Posted by Mark Gentili