'No one was living in the store': Lethbridge Burger King denies findings of health inspection

A Lethbridge Burger King is "categorically denying" anyone ever slept or lived at the restaurant after Alberta Health Services found evidence, during an inspection earlier this month that foreign workers were living or sleeping on the premises.

In the executive order dated Jan. 10, the AHS officer reported finding "evidence of sleeping/living accommodations for foreign workers" in a basement room of the Burger King. 

The restaurant was then ordered to remove all mattresses and associated furnishings and to "no longer allow individuals to stay/live/sleep in the restaurant premises," by Jan. 17. 

"Absolutely no residents were there, zero," he said.

Noor said they had stored some used beds in the basement of the store and that the AHS officer misunderstood and thought someone was sleeping there. He said they've appealed the order.

"We called the gentleman [inspector] and clarified the situation," he said.

In a statement from Burger King's corporate office, they said they've spoken to the restaurant owner, who confirmed the "accusations regarding accommodations are not true."

"However, we will continue to ensure compliance with our high operational standards," reads the statement. 

In an emailed statement, AHS said the work was completed as of Wednesday morning, and the order had since been rescinded.

CBC News asked AHS what led to the original conclusion that foreign workers were living and sleeping at the restaurant.

The agency responded that it would not be releasing any further information.

Employment and Social Development Canada, which oversees the temporary foreign worker program, said the Lethbridge fast food outlet did not have permission to employ any foreign workers at this time.

However, the agency confirmed that the restaurant did receive approval on March 24, 2016, to hire four foreign workers for one year.