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The situation first came to light when the Engineering and Geoscientists of B.C. received a professional-conduct complaint in connection with the building and informed the city in April, then reported Dec. 3 there was enough evidence to start a probe.

“We investigated it, found from WSP that there are obviously some issues,” Young said. “So now we are, as a city, obligated to tell people this is an issue, we’ll put you up in a hotel, we’ll find you a permanent location somewhere else if you choose.”

“Hopefully we’ll get more information about how they’re going to retrofit it,” Young said. “There might be a short timeline, but there might be a long timeline.”

He said that if people don’t want to move during Christmas, they will be moved after if they wish.

A reception centre to assist residents has been set up close to Danbrook One at 780 Goldstream Ave.

“We’re going to work long hours,” he said.

Members of the public are already stepping forward to offer assistance, Young said. “I’m getting a lot calls from people saying ‘Hey, how can I help?’ ”

He said people with moving vans available for use are being asked to come forward.

A letter from WSP to the city says that it found “a lower than code stipulated factor and where the likely failure mechanism can occur with very little warning.” It recommends immediate installation of temporary supports.

Earlier in the week, the city had recommended that tenants move out and offered help to do so, but many of them said they wanted to stay. On Friday, residents were told that the WSP review has found that their “building is not in compliance with the B.C. Building Code and raises several safety concerns.”

The city said it is working with building owner Centurion Property Associates to make immediate repairs.