ELLIOT LAKE, Ont. -- The inquiry into the deadly collapse of a mall in Elliot Lake, Ont., two years ago reported on Wednesday. Some key recommendations:

  • 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.