Engineer Charged in Elliot Lake Mall Collapse: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that an engineer will be charged following the deadly mall collapse last summer. Here’s what you need to know.

1) Engineer Charged

The ministry has identified the engineer charged as Robert Wood. He’s believed to be from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

It’s reported that Wood conducted an inspection with a colleague at the mall only weeks prior to the collapse, stating it was structurally sound.

2) Charges

(Screengrab via YouTube)

Wood is scheduled to appear in Elliot Lake court on May 15, on charges of “As a professional engineer: endangering a worker as a result of providing negligent advice, contrary to section 31(2) of the Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.1, as amended,” and “As a worker: working in the manner that may endanger a worker, contrary to section 28(2)(b) of the Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.O.1, as amended.”

3) Penalty

(Screegrab via YouTube)

If he’s found guilty, Wood could face a maximum fine of up to $25,000 and/or up to 12 months in jail.

4) Two Dead

(via cliff1066™/Flickr)

Lucie Aylwin and Doloris Perizzolo were killed after a partial collapse at the Algo Centre Mall in Elliot Lake on June 23, 2012. Several others were injured.

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5) Public Inquiry

(Screengrab via YouTube)

There’s an ongoing public inquiry into the mall collapse, looking into the events surrounding the collapse itself, as well as the women’s deaths and emergency response. Responders were criticized for failing to respond quickly enough to the disaster.