Collapsed mall owner didn't tell engineer about roof leaks

The public inquiry into the mall roof collapse in Elliot Lake has heard the last engineer to inspect the building was not told about the structure'stroubled history.

Engineer Robert Wood was hired to inspect the mall in 2009 and again just weeks before a section of the mall roof fell killing two people. Wood who faces separate charges under Ontario's health and safety legislation in connection with the mall roof collapse did not flag a structural problem in either report.

Wood's lawyer Robert MacRae cross-examined mall owner Bob Nazarian Wednesday morning.

Nazarian told the inquiry he didn't give Wood the previous engineering reports done on the mall, and he said he couldn't remember if he told him that the roof had leaked for decades.

MacRae asked: "As the owner of the mall, did you not think it was your responsibility to make sure this professional engineering firm was aware of that?"

To which Nazarian responded: "Sir, we have met on top of the roof. I am very sure."

"I asked you a question Mr. Nazarian about the leaking since the time that it was built," MacRae continued.

"Sir, I'm not sure whether I have given the information or not," Nazarian replied.

After more than a week in the witness box, Bob Nazarian's testimony is now finished.

Starting next week, the inquiry will move on to an examination of the rescue efforts in the days after the mall roof fell.

Hearings are scheduled to continue through September.

The public inquiry was established in July 2012 by the Ontario government and has been underway in Elliot Lake since March.

It was created to report on events surrounding the mall roof's collapse on June 23, 2012, the deaths of Lucie Aylwin and Doloris Perizzolo, the injuries to others, and the emergency management and response.