Photo by Whitehorse Star
Public Works Minister Archie Lang
Department officials didn't inform Lang about building mould
After his department failed to properly brief him, Public Works Minister Archie Lang was caught unawares in the legislative assembly regarding black mould in the unfinished Watson Lake health facility.
After his department failed to properly brief him, Public Works Minister Archie Lang was caught unawares in the legislative assembly regarding black mould in the unfinished Watson Lake health facility.
On Dec. 3, when questioned about possible mould in the building, Lang said, "There is factually no truth to that."
"There is no mould there today and hopefully we will monitor it as we expand the unit," he added.
When it was learned in September that the proposed $5-million multi-care facility, to be attached to the current Watson Lake Cottage Hospital, had morphed into a brand new $25-million hospital, opposition parties were livid.
Since then, the government has faced a barrage of questions on the project and its perceived failures of managing projects, and more importantly, the public purse.
When Liberal Leader Arthur Mitchell returned to the issue last Thursday - specifically on the issue of mould in the unfinished building - Lang's Dec. 3 story changed.
"The mould was discovered in the exhaust of the dryer system in the hospital. But in fact, the new building is free of mould," said Lang.
That left Mitchell confused as to what the minister knows about the unfinished building's status.
"Quite clearly, Lang said there was no mould in the building whatsoever, then it turned out the government had hired a company to clean out the mould, so the question I asked is why is it the minister is not even aware of what his department was doing?" Mitchell told the Star this morning.
"He was either unaware, or he was not being totally forthcoming in his answers."
According to Jennifer Magnuson, a spokeswoman with Public Works, Lang had no idea what was happening.
"The minister wasn't briefed on this issue because it was such a small problem," Magnuson said, adding there was no intention to mislead Lang but she was "not sure why" the minister was not informed.
"There's a small amount of mould in the shell of the unfinished building (but) it's so small and isn't a public safety issue," she said. "It started from the dryer vent (of the current hospital)."
Last August, a public request for proposals was issued to outline requirements to convert the multi-level care facility to a hospital.
Part of the proposal called on the successful contractor to determine if there was mould in the building and steps required to remediate the problem.
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Comments (4)
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Arn Anderson on Dec 19, 2008 at 7:06 am
If black mould in buildings in the Yukon was counted as population in the national census, the Yukon's population would be almost doubled and the Yukon could recieve more money from Ottawa. Almost every building Ive been in has a black mould problem, some more serious than others; for example, entering a bedroom and cannot even breath because of the mould or an entire wall covered in black mould and the landlords shrug their shoulders and say wash with bleach and open the windows. Everyone knows that basically more than half of this towns buildings would be condemened if the city was seriously looking for building compliance.
Seems little things like black mould are swept under the carpet and ignored, who knows, it can be the most prevelent cause for respirtory problems in the Yukon and yet, enviroment canada is more concerned with carbon credits and copyright issues on photographs....but thats a different story.
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darkwolf on Dec 18, 2008 at 3:00 pm
If thats all it is, mould in the dryer
exhaust people, use u'r head. Beeing an appliance tech, it is a small problem, read my lips ... EXHAUST.There is a lot more to freak out about our useless government and its likewise leader but then who voted them in a second time..DUH!!!
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Francias Pillman on Dec 17, 2008 at 1:10 pm
Just throw money at your problems. Its kind of like carbon credits. This goverment is borderline useless, but I know you Yukoners will vote them in again. Just like your friend and pal larry bagwell, a guy thats done jack for the Yukon in his entire term.
Way to Go......
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Judi Johnny on Dec 16, 2008 at 4:14 am
I'm beginning to wonder how many other "small" matters aren't reported to the Ministers responsible? Goodness sake communication dear communications. All matters should be reported. In my opinion mould is not a small matter its a health matter therefore its a big matter! The woman is question is a human being and she shouldn't sacrifice her health for small matter. Thank God she doesn't have to be in the building until the matter is fixed.