CHAPTER Political Intervention and Resumption of the Rescue / Recovery (7:30 p.m. on June 25 to 6:00 a.m. on June 27) Political intervention was essential to the resumption of the rescue / recovery . 211 Key players within the Premier’s Office and the Cabinet Office ................................. 211 June 23 – The Premier’s Office is informed unofficially of possible fatalities and trapped persons in the collapse ........................................................................ 212 5:36 p.m. – The premier is advised of the collapse: He is eager to obtain more information ............ 212 6:08 p.m. – First official EMO notification: Someone is trapped in the collapse, and UCRT is being mobilized ............................................................................ 213 6:41 p.m. – Premier’s Office is informed there may be fatalities ..................................... 214 7:40 p.m. – Mr. O’Leary learns of two possible trapped persons and seeks information from the Ministry of Labour about the Mall ........................................................... 215 Mr. O’Leary informs his colleagues in the Premier’s Office of the possibility of two trapped persons in the collapse ..................................................................... 215 June 24 – The premier speaks to Mr. Mantha and Mayor Hamilton, and he learns officially of one possible fatality ........................................................................ 216 10:17 a.m. – The premier is updated on the collapse: Although there is no new information, he is reassured that things are unfolding as they should .......................................... 216 11:33 a.m. – The premier speaks to the mayor, advising of provincial support ........................ 218 12:28 p.m. – The premier issues a statement: The province and the premier “are on the file” ........... 218 3:25 p.m. – Minister Meilleur speaks to Michael Mantha: All resources from the Ministry of Community Safety will be made available ..................................................... 219 6:04 p.m. – Mr. O’Leary reiterates his request to the Ministry of Labour regarding information about the Mall .................................................................... 219 6:32 p.m. – Elliot Lake press release constitutes the first official notification to the Premier’s Office of a possible fatality ............................................................ 219 Evening – The premier speaks to Mr. Mantha and provides him with assurances and a point person for future inquiries .............................................................. 220 7:45 p.m. – Telephone call between Mr. Hefkey and Mr. O’Leary: Live victims can survive several days if they have water ................................................................. 221 June 25 – From the news of a live person, to the stopping of the rescue, to the intervention of the premier, to the resumption of the rescue / recovery ..................................... 224 Mr. Chanzy becomes Mr. Mantha’s contact person ................................................ 224 Mr. Mantha understands that he cannot assist with rescue but tries to help with the economic impact of the collapse ......................................................... 224 208 Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry Part Two n The Emergency Response and Inquiry Process Mr. Mantha’s reaction to communication issues: He would need to get information from the street ............................................................................ 224 12:18 p.m. – The Premier’s Office learns that there has been one death and that one person is thought to be alive in the rubble ............................................................. 225 1:05 p.m. – The Premier’s Office issues a second press release: The premier expresses his sympathies to victim’s family. 226 11:34 a.m. and 2:40 p.m. – Mr. O’Leary receives information from the Ministry of Labour and the Cabinet Office ............................................................................ 226 2:50 p.m. – The Premier’s Office is advised that the rescue has been called off ....................... 226 3:20 p.m. – First conference call between Mr. Hefkey and Mr. O’Leary: The rescue had been stopped despite three to five victims still in the rubble .................................... 227 4:40 p.m. – Second conference call between Mr. Hefkey and Mr. O’Leary: Emotions are high; MOL had told the rescue team that the situation is too unstable for a rescue ..................... 228 5:00 p.m. – The premier’s staff learns more from the local press conference ....................... 228 5:51 p.m. – Mr. O’Leary urges the MOL to outline its role and the actions it would take in the recovery .. 229 6:00 p.m. – The premier becomes aware that the rescue has stopped: He is shocked and finds it unacceptable .......................................................................... 230 The premier: “If there is still a chance they are alive, we owe it to them to try” ....................... 230 The premier’s staff questions whether anything else can be done ............................... 230 7:30 p.m. – Conference call between the premier and his staff: The premier wants explanations from Staff Insp. Neadles and Mr. Hefkey .......................................... 231 8:05 p.m. – Mr. Hefkey speaks to Staff Insp. Neadles and asks him to consider other resources ......... 232 8:00 p.m. – Sgt. Glavin contacts Priestly Demolition for the first time ............................... 233 The premier: “We have to try and save this person” ............................................... 234 8:30 p.m. – The premier tells Staff Insp. Neadles to consider a Plan B ............................. 234 Conclusion on call with the premier .......................................................... 239 The premier speaks to Mr. Mantha, the mayor, and the prime minister to advise them that Plan B is in motion ............................................................................ 240 The premier’s news appeases the community ................................................. 240 The premier informs the mayor of Plan B and asks the prime minister to make the army available if necessary ....................................................................... 240 8:30 p.m. – Community Control Group meeting: “We are back on” .................................. 241 8:30 p.m. – Mr. Cranford is told not to return to Elliot Lake ......................................... 243 9:00 p.m. – HUSAR/TF3 keeps busy ............................................................. 244 9:00 p.m. – Mr. Cranford is advised to return, and then not to return, to Elliot Lake ................... 244 9:00 p.m. – Staff Insp. Neadles advises Mr. Sanders that the rescue is back on ........................ 245 10:01 p.m. – Ms. Chambers warns team against possible confusion over who holds the position of incident commander ............................................................ 245 10:20 p.m. – The premier releases a statement: He has instructed the rescue team to determine if there is another way to reach the victims ...................................................... 246 End of the day – The MOL issues an order to the owner to obtain an engineering report and to forbid access to the Mall to workers (excluding the rescuers) .................................... 247 11:56 p.m. – Plan B is being developed .......................................................... 248 Chapter 6 Political Intervention and Resumption of the Rescue / Recovery (7:30 p.m. on June 25 to 6:00 a.m. on June 27) 209 June 26–27 – The resumption of the rescue: more akin to a “recovery” . 249 1:36 a.m. – Call between Staff Insp. Neadles and Mr. Hefkey: “authorization” to proceed with Priestly .......................................................................... 249 Plan B: Priestly Demolition is engaged ......................................................... 251 1:46 a.m. – Confirmation to Priestly of deployment ............................................... 251 2:45 a.m. – Mr. Priestly advises of requirements for equipment ..................................... 251 2:00 a.m. – UCRT is released from public order duty ........................................... 253 6:00 a.m. – Priestly mobilizes team ............................................................ 253 1:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m.: Shoring continues ........................................................ 253 7:11 a.m. and 7:53 a.m. – Staff Insp. Neadles sends an update to the Office of the Fire Marshal: Plan B has been approved by Mr. Hefkey ......................................... 254 At some point during the day, the City authorizes Priestly to be on the scene .................. 255 Mr. Hefkey is sent to Elliot Lake to assist with communications ................................ 255 8:15 a.m. – Mr. Hefkey visits Penguin Solutions and informs Staff Insp. Neadles about its equipment ... 255 10:21 a.m. – Mr. Hefkey arrives in Elliot Lake and goes immediately to meet the mayor ............... 256 8:10 a.m. – Mr. Selvers becomes aware of the engagement of Priestly Demolition .............. 256 9:00 a.m. – the Collins Hall is reopened .......................................................... 257 Return of UCRT to the scene: on standby ...................................................... 257 9:00 a.m.–10:00 a.m. – UCRT team is advised that half the team will go home because the operation is now a recovery ............................................................................