Mayor denies being involved in inquest delay
Posted March 21, 2011 11:11 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Vancouver’s Mayor says the decision to hold an inquest into the fatal Pandora Street fire after civic elections was out of his hands. Gregor Robertson says ‘there’s nothing political about it.’
The Coroner gave two potential dates for the inquest, one in October before civic elections and one after it at the end of November.
Robertson insists the Coroner makes that decision and admits city staff pushed for the later date fearing a heavy workload from the election. “City staff gave advice based on how busy city staff is during a civic election, which is a significant piece of work for the city.”
“I think there have been a lot of horrendous tragedies that have taken many years before there was a Coroner’s Inquest. You look at the Missing Women‘s tragedy, that’s one that is just finally coming into the process,” he adds.
He wouldn’t say whether he’s worried about what information could come out.
