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You’ve probably seen it, a permit posted in the elevator displaying the maximum weight and capacity. But how closely do you look?

Right now the province has a backlog of 514 elevators that are overdue for an inspection.

Global News found out-of-date permits displayed in many public places including Portage Place, The Forks, the RBC Convention Centre and Red River College.

The permit in one of the elevators at the RRC Notre Dame Campus expired nearly two years ago, in February 2016, while the permit at the convention centre expired in May, 2017. The one on display at an elevator in Portage Place expired at the end of October.

The province said some of the elevators from the list were inspected but didn’t have the updated certificates posted so it’s unclear how many elevators in the province show expired permits but are actually up to date.

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Global News spoke to some people as they were getting off some of the elevators where the expired permits were being displayed.

“They have a reason for an inspection and that’s to make sure safety is being complied with,” Katherine Dowle said. “If they’re not doing the actual inspections then safety isn’t being complied with.”

“[I feel] unsafe, very unsafe,” Chelsey Krepart said after stepping off the elevator at Portage Place.

“I would think it’s something to address. Definitely, I’m glad someone’s noticing and bringing it to attention.” Tweet This

After multiple requests, the province denied an on-camera interview but emailed a response.

“Building owners are required to ensure their equipment is properly maintained and working safely. Elevator service companies are contracted to assist them to manage this risk. Just because a certificate expires does not mean the elevator is unsafe,” wrote the provincial spokesperson.

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The province says there are six inspectors and one program manager assigned to the elevator unit, which manages 4,800 elevators.

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Avrom Charach from the Professional Property Managers Association says the backlog has been an issue for at least a decade.

“The problem is if they’re six months to a year behind… something very well could go wrong in a year that just doesn’t get caught. And it could be very problematic to put it politely,” he said. Tweet This

Tom Thiessen from the Building Owners & Managers Association says property managers should have maintenance contracts in place for routine inspections.

“[It] helps to ensure that their building’s elevators continue to operate safely. Most wouldn’t be relying on a visit from an inspector to alert them to a safety issue. And that’s particularly important when there’s a backlog on the inspection front,” Thiessen said.

A spokesperson for the University of Winnipeg said permits for 13 of 16 elevators in buildings across campus expired Oct. 31, 2017 but the elevators remain in service. They have a maintenance contract with Otis and other local elevator companies who provide required safety checks.

The university said the elevators with outdated permits have been inspected by the Department of Labour and expects the permits to arrive within the next couple of weeks. When asked if they have experienced delays in obtaining permits in the past, they said “this is unusual. Previously, one or two elevators may have been missed and were a month late.”

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Kiran Frisen rode on the elevator at The Forks where the inspection permit has an Oct. 31 expiry date. “Three months for me isn’t that long, if it was a year or two they should get on it,” she said.

Towers Realty Group manages the apartment building at 785 and 795 Sterling Lyon Parkway and blamed the expired permit on the delay in getting an official to inspect.

“This is unfortunately typical of many buildings in the city. We have requested re-inspection and are awaiting a representative from the province to attend to the site,” wrote Jason van Rooy from the Towers Realty Group. Tweet This

Colliers International manages the building at 317 Donald Street and said they were aware of the expired permit. Due to a number of “maintenance deficiencies flagged in the annual inspection by the province” they have been given an extension to complete repairs and get an updated permit.

The province said the new permit at the Law Courts is in the process of being issued.

Global News reached out to other locations where expired permits were noticed and will update the story with their responses.

PHOTO GALLERY: images taken of expired elevator permits

The Expired Permit on display at Red River College. Global News The permit on display at the RBC Convention Centre. Global News The expired permit on display at The Forks. Global News The permit on display at the Lakeview Tower. Global News The permit on display at the Lakeview Tower. Global News The permit on display at the 317 Donald Street. Global News Story continues below advertisement The permit on display at the Law Courts on York Ave. Global News The expired elevator permit at The Spot at Tuxedo Point. Global News The expired elevator permit at the University of Winnipeg. Global News / File