Residents find out about bedbugs in downstairs office a week after discovery

Residents of apartments above a government office in Iqaluit that was closed a week ago due tobedbugs want to know why they weren't notified by their landlord until today.

Notices were left on doorknobs informing residents thatfive bedbugs were found a week ago in Grinnell Place in the reception area on the first floor, home to offices forNunavut'sDepartment of Family Services.

• Bedbug infestation closes offices in Iqaluit's Grinnell Place

The building belongs to NorthviewREIT.Itsays some of the apartments on the second and third floors were inspectedand there were no signs of bedbugs.

MaureenDoherty lives on the second floor.

"Obviously this is a health-related issue so I think that any resident deserves a right to have good information and I'm pleased to get a letter today. Probably would have been good to have gotten it a week ago."

5 bugs found on personal effects

On Thursday a spokesperson for Community and Government Services said the bugs were found in office furniture.The notice from Northview says fivebugs were found on personal effects brought into the reception space.

Kathryn Smith, marketing and communications manager for Northview, said in a statement that itlearned of the bed bugs on Oct. 6, and, in cooperation with the department,immediately arrangedfor treatment.

"Upon further investigation, it was found that bed bugs were discovered on items brought into the commercial space and appear to be contained to the small reception area," the statement notes.

"As a precautionary measure, Northview conducted an inspection of several residential suites within the building and found no evidence of bed bugs.Information was provided to Northview residents in the Grinnell Building this morning detailing this."

The offices have been cleaned and treated andare expected to reopen Monday.