Lawsuit over mall collapse

ELLIOT LAKE, Ont.—A proposed class-action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of victims of a deadly mall collapse in the Northern Ontario city of Elliot Lake.
A source involved in the suit said it targets the owners of the Algo Centre Mall, as well as the city and the government of Ontario.

More details were expected to be released at an afternoon news conference.
Doloris Perizzolo, 74, and Lucie Aylwin, 37, died after the mall’s roof caved in on June 23 and more than 20 others were hurt, though none seriously.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has announced a public inquiry following the outcry about why search-and-rescue efforts were called off two days after the accident—only to be restarted hours later after an appeal from McGuinty.
There had long been concerns about the state of the mall, with some residents claiming they were taking bets as to when it would crumble.
The economic impact on the small community, meanwhile, is expected to be massive.
When a section of the Algo Centre Mall caved in, it meant the destruction of not only a significant portion of the city’s retail shops, but also the library, one of two grocery stores, one of two hotels, the health unit office, a funeral services office, a gym, and several government service offices.
Todd Stencill, general manager of the local Chamber of Commerce, said 10-15 percent of all of the retail space in Elliot Lake was lost in the mall.