Aug 01, 2012- 4:30 PM
Matt Blajer said the MOL won't discuss what it is looking for in its investigation; however, he said it's a “fairly complex” process that will look at the entire structure of the Algo Centre Mall, as well as many other factors that will weigh on the outcome.
“It's going to take a fair while, and we have up to a year to complete it by law,” Blajer said.
The MOL is now on-site at the Algo Centre Mall after it was released to them by the Ontario Provincial Police on Aug. 1.
A partial roof collapse on June 23 claimed the lives of two women, Lucie Aylwin and Doloris Perizzolo. The OPP launched a criminal investigation in early July in an effort to “get to the bottom” of what happened, Sgt. Pierre Chamberland said at a July 4 press conference.
The MOL will look at the mall collapse from an Occupational Health and Safety perspective, he said, “and they will have to be satisfied that any of those issues are dealt with before anyone is allowed back in.”
The criminal investigation is moving along well, he said. Investigators were able to gather all of the necessary information to support a successful investigation, including a more detailed survey of the condition of the structure and creating a 3-D diagram for future reference. No further information is being made available at this time.
“We're still following up on the information and leads we have received,” Chamberland said. “The portion that dealt with the mall is complete, but we're still looking into information received by various sources, including the public.”
Police are also still looking for anyone who feels they might have any other information that would add value to the investigation, “so we can have a look at that, too.”
Those who believe they have any relevant information is asked to call the dedicated information line at 1-855-677-4636 (1-855-OPP-INFO).
There is no end date for the criminal investigation, he said.
“We will follow the trail to where it leads us, and decisions will be based on that information,” he said.
Once the MOL has completed its investigation, it will transfer responsibility for the building to the property owner's insurance company. Furthermore, requests from mall tenants and others to retrieve property from the site should be directed to the property owner and the insurance carrier.
Posted by Arron Pickard
