No one except remediation workers should be going into the Hay River highrise, says the office of the chief public health officer.
The office issued a news release reminding residents that its public health order issued in May is still applicable to the building.
In March, a fire broke out on the 11th floor. Since then, “The building has remained closed due to the confirmed presence of hazardous materials, including asbestos, lead, and mercury,” says the news release.
Asked if the office has heard of people living in the apartment complex despite the order to stay away, it said, “The Office of the Chief Public Health Officer cannot confirm if people have been living in the building. The Chief Environmental Health Officer has advised the building owner that no one can live in the building. Any reports of occupancy will be investigated as this would be a contravention of the Public Health Order.”
A handful of other organization are monitoring the remediation work as well.
Those include the Workers Safety and Compensation Commission, the Office of the Fire Marshal to ensure the repair of the fire alarm system, the NWT rental office to resolve any landlord-tenant disputes, and the Department of Infrastructure to ensure all necessary repairs are done before power returns to the suites.
