Quebec City launches inquiry into deadly legionnaires' outbreak

A public inquiry into the legionnaires disease outbreak that killed 13 people last year opens at the Quebec City courthouse today.

Dozens of witnesseswill be called to share their expertise and experience.

Public health officials say nearly 200 people were infected by the bacterium over the course of last summer's outbreak in Quebec City.

Last fall, a rooftop cooling tower in the St. Roch neighborhoodwas found to be the source of the deadly infection.

Eric Champagne's father, Pierre Champagne, died last September.

He hopes his fathers death will help ensure this doesnt happen again.

Champagne says the city should do all that it can to make sure an outbreak doesn't happen again.

Victims' families wants answers

Lawyer Jean-Pierre Mnard represents the families of eight of the victims.

He says Quebec City's outbreak is one of the worst in recent history and families are asking for answers.

"It is totally unusual to have an outbreak of that extent this is why we have a lot of questions to ask," Mnard said.

"It's very important that the same situation will never occur again."

Mnard will be allowed to question witnesses and comment on the evidence presented at the inquiry.

Meanwhile, Quebec City has decided to follow a recommendation from public health officials to help prevent another legionnaires outbreak.

Starting May 12th, owners of buildings with cooling towers in Quebec City will have to be part of a provincial registry and follow a maintenance schedule.