Elliot Lake had authority to level doomed mall

The public inquiry into the fatal mall collapse in Elliot Lake heard the city could have ordered emergency action on the mall — including demolition of the leaking structure prior to its eventual failure.

On Tuesday morning the commission heard from an expert witness with Ontario Association of Property Standards Officers on how property standards enforcement works at the municipal level.

Warwick Perrin couldn't speak directly about the condition of the Algo Centre Mall, but he was able to inform the commission about what authority the city's Building Services Office has in terms of inspection, maintenance and bylaw enforcement.

• Watch: Animated video reveals how Elliot Lake mall collapsed

Perrin told the commission Elliot Lake's enforcement policy is set by city council and confirmed Building Services has the authority to order repairs or emergency action by a property owner. In extreme cases, they can even order demolition.

This comes after last week's testimony from the former chief building official with the city of Elliot Lake, Roger Pigeau, who told the commission he knew the mall wasn't watertight and that there were problems with the parking structure.

But during Pigeau’s nearly 20-year tenure he didn't order a property standard inspection because he said he was understaffed and under qualified to properly inspect the mall.