Residents find out about bedbugs in downstairs office a week after discovery
Notices left on doors today by Northview REIT
Residents of apartments above a government office in Iqaluit that was closed a week ago due to bedbugs want to know why they weren't notified by their landlord until today.
Notices were left on doorknobs informing residents that five bedbugs were found a week ago in Grinnell Place in the reception area on the first floor, home to offices for Nunavut's Department of Family Services.
The building belongs to Northview REIT. It says some of the apartments on the second and third floors were inspected and there were no signs of bedbugs.
Maureen Doherty lives on the second floor.
"Obviously this is a health-related issue so I think that any resident deserves a right to have good information and I'm pleased to get a letter today. Probably would have been good to have gotten it a week ago."
5 bugs found on personal effects
On Thursday a spokesperson for Community and Government Services said the bugs were found in office furniture. The notice from Northview says five bugs were found on personal effects brought into the reception space.
Kathryn Smith, marketing and communications manager for Northview, said in a statement that it learned of the bed bugs on Oct. 6, and, in cooperation with the department, immediately arranged for treatment.
"Upon further investigation, it was found that bed bugs were discovered on items brought into the commercial space and appear to be contained to the small reception area," the statement notes.
"As a precautionary measure, Northview conducted an inspection of several residential suites within the building and found no evidence of bed bugs. Information was provided to Northview residents in the Grinnell Building this morning detailing this."
The offices have been cleaned and treated and are expected to reopen Monday.
with files from John Van Dusen