A group of B.C. electricians is demanding time with Vancouver officials to discuss the dismissal of the city's chief electrical inspector just weeks before the start of the 2010 Olympics..
Ark Tsisserev worked for the City of Vancouver for more than 20 years, most recently as the chief electrical inspector and electrical safety manager.
Last month, Tsisserev was let go. Officials say his termination was due to budget cuts.
Deborah Cahill, executive director of the Electrical Contractors Association of B.C., says it was a mistake to lose Tsisserev so close to the Games.
"My phone has been ringing off the hook," Cahill said. "My members are very concerned about it. I have not had one member that is not displeased, we are completely in shock."
Electrician Axel Gringmuth worked on the Italian Pavilion for Expo '86. He said the chief inspector is responsible for ensuring B.C.'s electrical code is met and maintained among hundreds of pieces of international equipment.
"If something happens, there is going to be finger pointing all over the place," Gringmuth said. "I can't believe in our city, with our history of handling events, something like that would happen."
The city has stated that a senior building official will handle Tsisserev's responsibilities, and that electrical inspections will continue as normal.
But Cahill says Tsisserev is considered one of the best in the business, and she is waiting to hear the replacement's qualifications.
"We've not been informed as to who's replacing him," Cahill said. "None of my members that have sent letters to the mayor's office have even had a response."
Tsisserev declined to comment on the advice of his lawyer.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Lisa Rossington
