Quebec residents impacted by severe flooding in August, caused by the remnants of Hurricane Debby, are expressing frustration as the provincial government has processed fewer than 10% of nearly 10,000 claims. The storm, which dumped a record-breaking 150mm of rain on Montreal, caused widespread damage, including flooding that destroyed homes and infrastructure.
The Insurance Bureau of Canada later estimated the storm caused nearly $2.5 billion in damages, making it the costliest weather event in Quebec’s history, according to a Canadian Press report. In response, Premier François Legault promised to temporarily expand the provincial disaster assistance program, originally designed to cover water damage from overflowing lakes and rivers. He suggested the program would include coverage for sewer backups, a common issue as floods overwhelmed municipal systems.
But weeks after the announcement, it became clear that the program’s rules had not changed significantly. The government maintained that only homeowners near bodies of water would be eligible for aid related to sewer backups, leaving many without support. Isabelle Leblanc, a suburban Montreal resident whose basement flooded with $45,000 in damage, called the promise “smoke and mirrors”. She was told her damage was ineligible for aid under the expanded program.
By mid-December, the Quebec government had made payments on just 720 claims out of over 10,000 received. In Montreal, where 1,900 claims were filed, only nine payments had been processed. Laval, which saw over 2,100 claims, received just 21 payouts, while the South Shore of Montreal had 39 claims paid out of more than 1,700. In total, the province has reimbursed approximately $24 million, far short of the estimated $2.5 billion in damages.
The Public Security Department stated the process is still ongoing, with homeowners having up to a year to submit claims. A spokesperson noted that many files remain open as applicants provide additional documentation. However, many residents, disillusioned by the lack of clarity, have given up on seeking aid.
Janice Donnelly, a 70-year-old resident of Dorval, spent hours compiling paperwork to apply for aid, only to be told she was ineligible for the program. “I just have to die earlier,” she joked, referring to her need to dip into retirement savings to pay for the $45,000 in damages.
Others, like Sara Beaudet from Laval, were initially told that the program had been expanded to cover sewer backups but later found out that the rules had not changed.
The City of Montreal, which received over 4,600 claims, also refused compensation. A spokesperson explained that the intensity of the rain exceeded the city’s sewer network’s capacity, making the flooding a “force majeure (Act of God)” event.
Many residents feel misled by the government’s promises of assistance. “If (the government) hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have been outraged,” said Vanessa Lalonde, whose home also suffered sewer backup damage. “But it’s that they promised help that never came.”
The Quebec government has estimated the total cost of Debby’s damage at $250 million, including $100 million in individual compensation.
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