An apartment complex in downtown Edmonton, which was closed late last year following the tragic death of a security guard, may soon be reopened to residents. The City of Edmonton issued an emergency decree on December 23, 2024, to close the residential section of a mixed-use building situated at the intersection of 106th Street and 107th Avenue in the Central McDougall area. This action was taken due to escalating safety concerns that posed an immediate threat to the well-being of residents and the community.
The closure, which displaced 64 residents, occurred approximately two weeks after Harshandeep Singh, a 20-year-old security guard, was fatally shot while on duty on December 6. Half of the displaced individuals have been accommodated by support workers, but the possibility of reopening the apartments hinges on meeting specific stipulations, as stated by Tania Gonzalez, a city representative.
“We are collaborating with the property owner to ensure compliance with legal regulations and resolve any outstanding issues to uphold minimum housing standards,” Gonzalez communicated to CBC News via email. She added, “The timeline for reactivating the residences is contingent on various factors, including the cooperation of the landlord.”
When contacted by CBC News, Van Vuong, the property owner, declined to provide comments. Singh, an international student from India, had recently commenced his role as a security guard when he was shot in the early hours of December 6. This incident marked the second shooting within a fortnight at the apartment complex.
The building had long been under scrutiny by municipal and provincial authorities due to repeated police interventions and health code violations. The abrupt relocation in December was the second instance in less than five years that residents were compelled to vacate due to safety issues. Over the preceding two years, the property had accumulated multiple health violations, including pest infestations, mold presence, heating malfunctions, and non-functioning smoke alarms.
A proposal from the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) last May led to a review of the property’s business license by the city. Various conditions were imposed to address criminal activities, management deficiencies, and security lapses, as communicated by city officials to CBC News. Since its closure in December, a team comprising multiple agencies, including the EPS and Alberta Health Services, has been conducting inspections to assess the building’s compliance with residential safety regulations.
The findings of this inspection team will not be disclosed publicly, according to Gonzalez. Following Singh’s demise, Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, Mike Ellis, intends to review the legislation governing security guards once an Occupational Health and Safety inquiry concludes. This review aims to enhance existing regulations to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Singh’s passing may also prompt changes at the municipal level. Councilor Anne Stevenson highlighted the need for a review of business licensing to address recurring issues effectively. She emphasized the importance of examining behavioral patterns to tackle persistent challenges.
Regarding the housing situation, Gonzalez noted that 28 evacuees have secured permanent accommodations, while four are residing in transitional housing. Nine individuals are receiving assistance from housing workers, and the remaining residents are still lodged in hotels. The housing process, tailored to individual needs, typically takes around 60 days once an individual is assigned a housing worker, contingent on market availability.
Hani Quan, the city’s director of affordable housing and homelessness, clarified that there are no dedicated units available for evacuees, leading to challenges in the housing process. The city will cover the hotel expenses for the displaced individuals, although the total cost is yet to be determined.
