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City clerks felt “somewhat intimidated by the insistent nature of the request being made,” Ontario Provincial Police Constable Marc Despatie told the National Post.

“They decided to call the police and we’re duty-bound to respond.”

Shortly after the incident, the city of Elliot Lake issued a two-line statement that said any documents related to Algo Centre Mall “are now part of ongoing investigations.”

“The City is providing these documents to investigators,” the statement said.

Tried to file an Freedom of Information request at #Elliot Lake city hall, was told “leave immediately” I asked why, they called the OPP. — Jennifer Tryon (@GNHealth) June 29, 2012

Tried for explanation from #Elliot Lake city clerk, someone from the back came out and turned her chair around so she couldn’t face forward. — Jennifer Tryon (@GNHealth) June 29, 2012

3 OPP officers came after I asked for public documents. wondering if what residents keep telling media about #Elliot Lake City Hall is true? — Jennifer Tryon (@GNHealth) June 29, 2012

Even though documents related to the mall investigation have been turned over to the OPP, members of the public can still make Freedom of Information requests, Const. Despatie said.

Const. Despatie, who responded to the incident, said he explained to one of the clerks the situation didn’t necessarily warrant an emergency call to police.

Elliot Lake city officials didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The roof of the Algo Centre Mall collapsed nearly a week ago, killing two people and injuring 22. The owners of the mall struggled with constant repairs to its rooftop parking lot and had been planning for two years to move it, their lawyer said Tuesday.

The OPP will conduct an investigation into the deaths of the two victims.

Police, a firefighter and an engineer will be sifting through the wreckage of the collapsed mall to collect information to help the coroner and province’s investigations.

They say the Ministry of Labour engineer will try to figure out whether there are other structural problems to determine if the building needs to be torn down.