Elliot Lake fatal mall collapse comes down to 'human failure,' report says

The head of the public inquiry into the fatal 2012 Algo Centre Mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake, Ont., more than two years ago, says the real story behind the tragedy was "human failure."

In his final report, revealed to members of the community Wednesday, Justice Paul Belanger said "many of those whose calling or occupation touched the mall displayed failings — its designers and builders, its owners, some architects and engineers, as well as the municipal and provincial officials charged with the duty of protecting the public."

Justice Paul Belanger, the head of the inquiry into the deadly collapse of a mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., two years ago, makes his final report Oct. 15. His findings cannot be used in any prosecution. (Yvon Theriault/Radio-Canada)

Lucie Aylwin, 37, and Doloris Perizzolo, 74, died and 19 others were hurt in the collapse.

"Apathy, neglect and indifference to mediocrity, ineptitude, incompetence and outright greed" riddled the fate of the mall, the report says.

Some engineering inspections were so cursory and incomplete, they were essentially meaningless, he continued.

"Secrecy and confidentiality often trumped candour, transparency, and openness.

"Based on any fair and objective analysis of the history of the Algo Mall as it unfolded during the commission's hearings, it is difficult to resist the conclusion that, if any one of the owners, engineers or officials who were involved with the mall over its 33 years of existence had insisted: 'enough … this building will fail if it isn't fixed,' two lives would not have been senselessly and tragically lost."

The report was released at a local community centre — two years and four months after part of the mall's rooftop garage caved in following years of water and salt penetration.

Some key recommendations include:

The province should establish minimum standards of maintenance for buildings like the Algo Centre Mall.
Properly qualified structural engineers should inspect buildings when sold, more frequently if public safety dictates.
Make information about building condition easily accessible and understandable to owners, the public and potential buyers.
Enforcement of standards should be straightforward and make public authorities accountable for their decisions and actions.
Professional engineers and municipal building officials should be trained and certified, and information about them accessible to owners and the public.
Increase capacity of search and rescue teams to respond to structural collapses.
Have one person in charge of an emergency response.
Improve communications among emergency responders, and between responders and the public, especially victims.
Improve federal funding of heavy search and rescue teams across Canada.

Belanger has released two volumes of the report, along with his recommendations. Below is his executive summary:

ELI ES E (PDF)
ELI ES E (Text)

Morning North

Montage from CBC broadcast at public at Elliot Lake mall collapse inquiry

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Montage from CBC broadcast at public at Elliot Lake mall collapse inquiry5:17

Keith Moyer, a member of an Elliot Lake advocacy group for seniors, followed the inquiry hearings almost daily.

"I have expectations that he [Belanger] is going to come out with some very worthwhile doable recommendations, and just hope that those with the power to implement them do so," he said before the report was released.

Luc Morrisette, who owned a flower shop in the mall before its collapse, said he remembers what rainy days were like inside his store.

"You're dodging the leaks all over the store. There would be new buckets all over. But it was a daily thing, so you almost get used to seeing those buckets," he said.

Despite his misgivings, Morrisette kept his store in the mall for 16 years — until the day the rusty ceiling beams gave in to decades of water and salt that had leaked through from the roof-top parking deck, sending cars and concrete down into the mall.

Morrisette said he plans to be in the front row Wednesday when Belanger releases his report.

"It's closure. I need to see this first-hand."

Report will not lay blame

The public inquiry into the mall disaster held months of hearings and examined thousands of documents.

The final report is not aimed at laying blame. Instead, Belanger's recommendations aim to prevent similar tragedies.

Morrisette said he hopes the release of the report will allow the community to finally move on.

"Elliot Lake is a nice tranquil place. The people who know us, know how beautiful this place is."

Lawsuit ahead

Police, who have charged a former engineer criminally, are still investigating the collapse.

In February, a judge approved a class action lawsuit brought by those who suffered losses in the Algo Centre Mall collapse. About 300 people and businesses are seeking damages. There are 13 defendants, including the province of Ontario, the City of Elliot Lake, and the former and current mall owners.

The judge's decision also rejected the province of Ontario's argument that it should not be a defendant, and said Ministry of Labour inspectors should be held to account.

The lawsuit was launched by Elaine and Jack Quinte, who lost their restaurant in the mall during the roof collapse.

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