Labour Ministry investigating Boulder Bear Climbing Centre in Thunder Bay after child's fall

The Thunder Bay climbing gym where a child was injured after a fall on July 26 is being investigated by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, CBC News has learned. 

The ministry "was notified on Aug. 2, 2024, of health and safety concerns at Boulder Bear Climbing Centre," it said in an emailed statement Monday. 

It said an investigator has been assigned and the investigation is ongoing. 

The news comes after Alexa Letinen said her eight-year-old daughter Natalia was hospitalized following a fall at a Boulder Bear Climbing Centre summer camp. Since then, others have come forward to say this isn't the first such incident at the centre. 

A total of five incidents have been reported to the ministry since Boulder Bear Climbing Centre opened in 2016. 

"The ministry issued a total of 10 orders during this period to Boulder Bear Climbing Centre," the ministry statement said. 

Inspectors respond to reports of critical injuries or fatalities at workplaces. They have the power to issue orders that workplaces are required to address in order to prevent similar incidents.

If the inspector finds the workplace has violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), the person can recommend that charges be laid.

Labour Ministry previously investigated gym

In addition to the current investigation, the Ministry of Labour said it completed four previous investigations at the gym in response to reported complaints/concerns. 

One investigation related to a June 2017 harassment complaint, said the ministry. It ordered Boulder Bear to prepare/review health, safety and harassment policies. It also issued an order to maintain a harassment policy in writing.

The ministry said it investigated Boulder Bear again in response to health and safety concerns that occurred in June 2019. The orders it issued included proper storage of flammable liquids, removing items from around electrical panel, keeping floors free of debris and inspecting the physical condition of the workplace.

"Employer shall take every precaution to protect workers," read the seventh order. 

Boulder Bear complied with all the issued orders, said the ministry.

There were two additional investigations that did not result in any issued orders, it said. 

Boulder Bear defends safety record

CBC News reached out to gym owner Dallas Markall through his lawyer, who declined to comment on his behalf. The gym posted a statement on Facebook after the incident on July 26, defending its safety record.

"Boulder Bear has an [impeccable] safety record and has a number of safety measures that you won't find in the majority of climbing gyms," said the gym in a statement posted on its Facebook page. The page was no longer accessible as of Aug. 6. 

The gym is facing multiple lawsuits related to injuries.

CBC News has learned of at least one active civil case against the company filed before Letinen said her daughter was injured after falling, and has spoken with another climber who was concerned about how staff addressed an injury she sustained at the gym. 

Rowan Adderley-Day alleges he was left with a lifelong impairment after getting injured at Boulder Bear in April 2023. He said his right foot landed on the edge of the mat when dismounting from the bouldering wall and hit the floor.

None of the allegations have been tested in court.

If you have any more information related this story, contact Michelle Allan at [email protected]