Province responds to CO concerns at Pine Grove amid further calls for Minister’s resignation

“There were five detectors within the facility prior to the incident, in compliance with current code requirements to locate detectors in areas with furnaces or fuel fired appliances. Additional detectors have since been installed,” the Ministry said.

The Ministry was also able to confirm there are seven detectors at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre, and two at Prince Albert Youth Residence.

“Also in compliance with current code requirements.”

When asked how often inspections are done, the Ministry said they are done annually.

With respect to the incident last week, the Ministry of Corrections has previously confirmed there will be a thorough review into the use of carbon monoxide detectors at Pine Grove.

In the meantime, a petition started by the inmate advocacy group Beyond Prison Walls Canada, is calling for Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell to resign. As of Wednesday there were 36 signatures.

“Her staff who work in these facilities violate inmates rights every day and while she has had many injustices brought to her attention during the COVID pandemic she fails to be accountable for her negligence, rather than speaking about it, she hides in her legislative office and has her spokesperson do her dirty work,” a statement from the group said. “Enough is enough, stop being a coward and own up to the negligence you cause.”

With respect to the incident last week at Pine Grove, the group stated 23 women were exposed to carbon monoxide, and claimed there were no carbon monoxide detectors in that unit.

“Once again the Ministry fails to accept responsibility and instead says in a media release that the information media was provided is inaccurate. This is not inaccurate, it’s appalling that the Ministry has no carbon monoxide detectors in the facility when this is mandatory in buildings and homes. If a landlord failed to have one installed he could be sued and probably charged, why is the government exempt from being held accountable?”

As was mentioned above, a statement from SaskBuilds and Procurement did confirm there were detectors within the facility prior to the incident, and additional detectors have since been installed.

Nicole Sauer, the NDP critic for justice, corrections and policing, told paNOW she was quite concerned after hearing a faulty heating unit was to blame for the carbon monoxide leak.

“Because it leaves one to wonder how many other issues there are in the building,” she said.

Acknowledging the government’s commitment to conduct a review at the facility, Sauer said it should not have to happen after inmates and staff fall victim to carbon monoxide poisoning. Further noting concerns she’s heard related to widespread deterioration at other facilities in the province, Sauer said the ministry’s response as a whole to its maintenance responsibility has been inadequate.

“And the concern is that if the ministry continues to not take the maintenance of their buildings seriously, we could see similar things happen at either Pine Grove or other facilities,” she said.

Sauer also reiterated the NDP’s positon that Minister Tell should resign.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Province responds to CO concerns at Pine Grove amid further calls for Minister’s resignation

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