Winnipeg tenants want the owner to shut down until other assets can be explored and appraised

Some of the tenants whose lives were destroyed by the forced evacuation of this Portage Avenue apartment building say they want to see the company that owns it shut down until a full assessment of all the buildings and properties is completed.

Judy Stanley of Ladco Company Ltd lied to the tenants that the property was safe, but in the last few days her motorbike had been stolen from the lot. But he says the bike is just the tip of the iceberg.

“If it wasn't for the Red Cross, we'd be out on the streets right now,” Stanley said. “I wouldn't trust them with my dog.”

He said the building was in a state of disrepair and noted that the city should temporarily close Ladco Company Ltd. to ensure the safety of other buildings it operates in so that such a situation does not happen again.

“These pillars didn't rot overnight.”

Through tears, her message to elected officials was simple: “Don't let them get away with this.” They are happy that we survived.”

City records show no structural permits have been obtained for the building in the past 20 years, and Ladko did not respond to CityNews' attempts to get questions.

“There is no law to protect the tenants who live in these apartments,” said Verla Umferville, another tenant.

Amperville says Ladko forced her into a position she never wanted to be in: where she was asking for help instead of offering it.

“It was very difficult for me.”

He, who now lives in a hotel with his family, also says the company should be closed, but says the situation is a systemic failure at the municipal level. And one problem should be solved, the inspection of these buildings should be mandatory.

“One thing that always amazes me with city officials or anyone in authority is that they're all talk, but there's no deadline,” Umferville said.

A City of Winnipeg spokeswoman confirmed Thursday that it will continue to support displaced residents and that while it has issued compliance orders to the owner of the Ladco property, which is also called Birchwood Terrace, it will not necessarily require inspections of its other buildings. Emergency management personnel “probable disaster” in the city.