Renos could help people ‘move on’ from Walmart death: Councillor

The automatic doors at the Mumford Rd. Walmart worked hard during the week of Feb. 3 as customers streamed in and out, resuming their regular shopping more than three months after the tragic death of a young worker.

Gursimran Kaur, 19, died on Oct. 19, 2024 during her shift at the west-end Halifax store. Her mother, who had worked alongside her for the previous two years, had searched for Kaur after she was unreachable for an hour. She found her daughter’s dead body in the walk-in bakery oven.

Shawn Cleary, councillor of the district that includes the Walmart, told The Signal that Kaur’s death reflects poorly on Halifax.

“We have one of the highest workplace death rates across Canada,” Cleary said in a phone interview. “You don’t want to be known for that kind of stuff.”

The councillor said the most difficult part was the uncertainty around what really happened.

“It was very mysterious,” said Cleary. “All we heard about was a yo­­­­­­­ung woman at work, and then the rumours about an oven, and you’re like, ‘What the heck’s going on?’”

The province issued a stop-work order for the bakery section of the store that was lifted after ten days. On Nov. 18 Halifax police concluded there was no evidence of foul-play. Walmart’s internal investigation is still ongoing.

Walmart officials decided to remain closed to complete renovations, a process that was well underway before Kaur’s death.

‘You wouldn’t think this would have happened’

The pale and weathered storefront has been replaced by bright, reflective panels, with the slogan “Save money. Live better” clearly displayed.

The Signal visited the store on Feb. 4 as customers trailed in. Several shoppers smiled at the security guard standing at the entrance, wishing him a grand reopening. A shopper at a checkout told the cashier it was “due time” the store reopened.

The bakery section underwent major renovations. The oven is removed, and a new, clean sign hangs over the area. Customers can now see employees entering and exiting the baking area.

Cleary said the store’s closure was hard on shoppers.

“Especially for folks who were looking to save a few bucks, because Walmart is good for that,” he said.

Rebecca MacEachern, a regular shopper at this location, returned a few days after the reopening.

“It doesn’t look like the same store, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be conscientious of what did happen here,” MacEachern said on Feb. 11.

While in the bakery section, she said she took a moment to reflect on Kaur’s death and recalled how she felt when she first heard the news.

“I couldn’t believe it, and it’s so close to us,” she said. “You wouldn’t think this would have happened.”

Cleary said the store’s transformation might help regular customers and employees.

“Psychologically, the more different you can make it, the better you’re going to get people to move on from the event.”