Calgary courthouse evacuated due to ‘suspicious’ powder that turned out to be cornstarch

It was cornstarch inside a suspicious package that led to the quarantine of nearly two dozen people at the Calgary Courts Centre Thursday.

Just before noon, a call came into 911 about an envelope containing a white substance found on the eighth floor.

The fire department quarantined 22 people because some reported feeling a mild irritation, but no one was in medical distress.

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The floors above and below were evacuated as a precaution and the ventilation system in the building was temporarily shut off.

The Calgary Fire Department’s hazardous materials unit tested the powder, which turned out to be cornstarch.

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“We have very strict protocol on these white-powder calls,” Calgary Fire Department spokesperson Carol Henke said.

“They were a lot more common after 9/11 and we still get them from time to time.”

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Two hours later, the fire department gave the all-clear.

Police are investigating where the package came from and the circumstances that led to the situation.

With files from Global’s Ken MacGillivray