I am a resident of still standing apartment building 904 Geikie Street, Jasper Alberta. A tenant who, like so many others, lost everything in a recent wildfire. Our homes, memories, and belongings were compromised, leaving us with nothing but hope. The landlord has been less than cooperative, refusing to facilitate the retrieval of our belongings without expensive contractors. Adding to this distress is the potential contamination with asbestos, a major health risk. Though our apartments were not individually tested. 

What we need right now is waivers permitting us to safely retrieve what remains of our possessions, despite the possibility of asbestos contamination. Asbestos can certainly be dangerous. However, proper precautions such as Tyvek suits, gloves and respirators can significantly decrease the health risk. (source: OSHA guidelines)

Not only are we dealing with the loss of our community, but we also face the threat of losing everything we own. The injustice of this situation is heightened by the landlord's refusal to collaborate. Every tenant deserves to have a chance to recover their belongings, especially after such a traumatic event.

Please sign this petition to help the tenants of 904 Geikie retrieve their belongings safely. It's the very least thing that can be done to alleviate our ongoing suffering. We need your support today. We did not choose to be here, but together, we can take steps to bring about change.

 

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More details: 

They plan to repair the damages to the building.

Landlord doesn’t answer emails for usually over a week. 

Insurances want you to choose between a payout or this fee. 

Tenants have been told by companies they used that there is little to no risk of asbestos.

The “risk” is in the hallways.

It has been 119 days since the wildfire with construction companies in and out of our building and apartments. (No consent or heads up, also most of our doors are open/unlocked)

The pictures I got from my inspection do not even have a spec of dust inside.

Individual units and common areas were tested and the only place they found a low level of asbestos dust was the 3rd floor common hallway. Contents were not tested.

Swab testing of our apartment contents cannot be done by other companies as it is a “conflict of interest”.

Asbestos training companies say this 2 day course is unnecessary to enter the premises.

Alberta Public Health can’t help as we are no longer residents.

According to legal counsel, Jasper Municipality has jurisdiction.

Jasper Muni cares but besides advice, they aren’t sure how to help. 

The MP can’t help.

The MLA can’t help.

Asbestos companies can’t help.

Asbestos training companies can’t help. 

The insurance bureau can’t help.

Tenant disputes can’t help over the phone. 

Complaint applications have been made. 

The news can’t help, they won’t run our story. (May have something to do with landlord recommended contractor Paul Davis)

OHS can’t help because we are not employees.

The landlords adjuster can’t help, she has expressed this is out of her hands as ultimately it is the landlords decision.

Contractor inside the building said it will work with us if we have the course but no viable conversations/ solutions provided.

The Alberta Government says the landlord & his adjuster have dropped the contractor rule and are working with us. (Not true)

The landlord continues to state he is following government legislation.

 

My questions are:

Why is there no option for a waiver?

How can we prolong the date the landlord has made up? (Nov 30) 

Why can’t the hallways be cleaned?

Could we use the windows for removing contents instead?

Besides the asbestos certification, what more can we do?

 Am I going to be legally pursued for leaving behind my contents?