The Justice critic is seeking answers from government after learning that a legal dispute has left the Labrador Correctional Centre without the use of its HVAC system.

The system has been down since July after the company contracted to do renovation work at the facility launched a lawsuit against government over asbestos management at the site.

Justice critic Pam Parsons says she’s concerned about what that means for staff at the facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the inmates.

Parsons says it raises serious concerns about ventilation, mould, and heating as winter fast approaches.

“Correctional officers and inmates…deserve a safe environment. The government cannot allow these concerns to drag on without clear answers and a plan to resolve them,” she says.

The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure says there is some heat available in the building, but more heat is required.

The department says it is developing a plan to address heating and ventilation at the correctional centre, however, because of the ongoing legal dispute, it is unable to provide further comment at this time.