Yellowknife, N.W.T. - Three tenants in the Union of Northern Workers building have applied to the territory's rental officer, Hal Logsdon, to get their landlord to open up a fence they believe is a barrier to their safety.

Resident Michele LeTourneau said excavation on one side of the building and the fence on the other means tenants only have access to the building from the back alley.

"I want safe access to my apartment. I don't want to be wandering around back lanes. One of the arguments that could be made now by them is that 'oh, well it's not dark anymore'. Well it doesn't matter, it can be as unsafe in Yellowknife summer light as it can be in the dark."

LeTourneau said initially, another resident, Kathryne Carriere, applied to the rental officer to get the fence opened up.

"And he did put out an order that the union create an opening there and they refused. They decided to appeal the order in the Supreme Court and that's where Kathryne's application is."

LeTourneau and another resident then filed their own applications to the rental officer.

They are scheduled for a hearing on Friday afternoon.

When contacted, the UNW said they had no comment.

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