January 9, 2017 - Mauricie residents have heard excellent news on January 6: Quebec will add $ 17 million in the pyrrhotite victim’s fund, and improved the admissibility criteria.
“With this money, about 300 additional homeowners will be able to carry out work”, said Marc H. Plante, Member of the National Assembly for Maskinongé. “The 17 million amount is available now”, he added.
The eligibility threshold is modified from 0.30% to 0.23%, the government also announced in a press conference held in Trois-Rivières on January 6. This means more homeowners will have access to financial assistance.
Marc Dubord is relieved
Marc Dubord has a pyrrhotite rate of 0.25% in his foundations, which until now was insufficient to obtain financial assistance. The government's announcement was made in front of his home in the Pointe-du-Lac area, because he is now eligible for the program. He said "It's a relief for me and other victims in the region. It will give us some financial comfort”.
He thinks rebuilding his concrete foundations will cost him approximately $ 150,000. He will have to raise his house to allow rebuilding the basement. Approximately 700 homeowners will be able to carry out work over the next two summers, says MAA Marc H. Plante, thanks to the funds remaining in the assistance fund ($ 25.6 million) and the money announced last Friday.
Millions and millions
Since 2011, the Government of Quebec injected $ 52 million to support pyrrhotite victims. Many are saying it will take a lot more money to compensate all those struggling with this problem. "In the long run, the disaster is expected to exceed $ 1 billion in direct and indirect damages," said Yvon Boivin, former president and founder of the Coalition to Assist Pyrrhotite Victims (CAVP).
According to him, about 4,000 houses and condos have been contaminated with pyrrhotite in Mauricie, and also hundreds of commercial buildings, dozens of institutional buildings (e.g. hospitals, fire stations and municipal buildings) and some infrastructures. We remind you that pyrrhotite is a mineral compound composed of iron sulfide, of a bronze- yellow color which blackens in the air. By crystallizing into slats, it can cause cracks in concrete and cause it to burst.
Montreal, January 9, 2017
Source: Radio-Canada and François G. Cellier for Condolegal.com
