Council says GWNT should pay
Malcolm Gorrill
Northern News Services
Inuvik (Apr 20/01) - The Town of Inuvik wants the territorial government to provide a full time building inspector for the community.
Coun. Clarence Wood raised the issue at town council last week, and also referred to the town's requests over the past year or so for a full time safety officer.
Inuvik did have a full time safety officer up until about 1996. Wood said that the position was reinstated for a three month period a few years ago, after a man fell off the Grollier Hall roof during its demolition.
Wood said that with the upturn in the economy and the upcoming construction in and around the community, this is an appropriate time to reinstate the safety position.
"The building inspector (request) of course goes hand in hand with the construction here in Inuvik.."
Wood said electrical inspectors and water inspectors only cover part of a site.
"Unless you have somebody who can certify the structure the way it's supposed to be, the thing may fall down around your ears."
Mayor Peter Clarkson said that as of Tuesday the town had yet to hear back from the GNWT on its building inspector request. Clarkson said that for the town to fund the position, it would cost $100,000 or more.
"We just don't feel it's our jurisdiction or our responsibility. The territorial government does the electrical inspecting and the mechanical inspecting," Clarkson said.
"The fire marshal does safety inspections, but not construction safety, more fire safety."
