McGuinty to testify at inquiry into Elliot Lake mall disaster

“He’s part of the narrative,” commission lawyer Mark Wallace said Wednesday from Elliot Lake.

Mr. McGuinty would be part of Phase II of the inquiry – the examination of the emergency response to the collapse of the rooftop parking deck at the Algo Centre Mall that killed two women.

Questions have arisen about whether the emergency response to the unfolding tragedy was adequate. Many residents expressed concern the rescue effort was called off prematurely – just hours after signs of life were detected in the rubble. After some form of intervention from Mr. McGuinty, officials announced resumption of the rescue effort, which turned out to be in vain.

“It appears that there was a rescue stoppage or suspension, and he was involved in a phone call that resulted in resuming the rescue operation,” Mr. Wallace said.

It’s rare for an Ontario premier or former premier to be called as a witness at a public inquiry. In June, 2001, Mike Harris became the first sitting Ontario premier in more than half a century to do so when he testified at the commission looking into the tainted-water tragedy in Walkerton, Ont.

Mr. Wallace said Mr. McGuinty has been told he will be called to testify, but he has yet to be formally summonsed. Mr. McGuinty, who stepped down in January but remains a member of the legislature, could not be reached for comment Wednesday but confirmed in a statement he will be a witness.

“I am very proud of the work being done by the Elliot Lake inquiry,” he said. “I look forward to my contribution, and am confident the inquiry will provide all Ontarians with some very helpful recommendations.”

As with all other witnesses, counsel lawyers will interview the former premier ahead of his testimony, something that hasn’t happened yet.

The inquiry began last month and has been looking into the causes of the June 23 mall collapse that killed Lucie Aylwin, 37, and Doloris Perizzolo, 74. Several others were hurt. Their bodies were pulled from the rubble on June 27.

The commission has so far heard from two dozen of about 64 Phase I witnesses.