Quebec Liberals calling for parliamentary commission on flood zones to protect homeowners
The Quebec Liberal Party is worried about what's happening to homes in flood zones and is calling for a parliamentary commission as more people are being affected by flooding.
In light of climate change and the major flooding the province saw in 2017 and 2019, Quebec is now working on redrawing its flood zone maps.
The Liberals say flood zones will inevitably be enlarged and that could end up affecting thousands of properties.
Liberal MNAs Michelle Setlakwe and Virginie Dufour are calling for a parliamentary commission to study the issue to make sure the process is transparent and to ensure there will be help for affected homeowners.
Desjardins Group recently decided to stop offering mortgages in some flood zones.
Setlakwe says she'd like to hear from various ministers involved, including environment, public security and municipal affairs, as well as from experts including banks and insurers.
"We want to make sure the process takes into consideration the realities on the ground. Some mayors are also very concerned for citizens and for the impact on the revenues coming in," said the Liberal MNA for Mont-Royal-Outremont.
"When you think about it, your home represents such an important part of your patrimony, all your savings and to find yourself in a situation where you can't contract a mortgage loan, you can't make changes, you can't sell, it's terrible."
CTV News also spoke to Erkan Yonder, an associate professor at the John Molson School of Business, who studies the effects of climate change on the real estate market. He says he supports the idea of a parliamentary commission because the risk and frequency of flooding and other natural disasters, such as wildfires, are only growing and many people could end up with homes with zero value.
"So these entities should come together and the governments should discuss with the lenders and insurance companies as well and they try to find ways to spread," he said. "If you leave it as it is then all of the burden will be on the homeowners in these risky locations."
The Quebec environment minister's office isn't saying if it will hold a parliamentary commission, but said there would be sufficient time between the adoption of the new flood maps and any new regulations coming into force, adding that there will also be a consultation period.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW A mother's hopes to free her son from a Syrian prison is revitalized by a new human rights report
Just days before the seventh anniversary of the day Jack Letts was thrown in prison with thousands of suspected ISIS fighters, his mother, Sally Lane, delivered a small stack of envelopes to the headquarters of Global Affairs Canada in Ottawa.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
NEW Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads
In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.
Concerns about Plexiglass prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglass barriers.
Liberal MP says she's leaving politics over disrespectful dialogue, threats, misogyny
Liberal MP Pam Damoff says she won't run again in the next federal election, saying she has experienced misogyny, disrespectful dialogue in politics and threats to her life.
NEW Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Ont. woman who faked pregnancy to defraud doulas arrested again on similar charges
Victims of a Brantford, Ont., woman who was sentenced to house arrest earlier this year for defrauding and deceiving doulas say they’re not surprised she’s been apprehended again on similar charges.
Oilers dominate special teams to eliminate Kings in 5 games
The Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings played a tight-checking series at even strength. But the special teams matchup was lopsided - and that's why it ended in five games.
Federal employees will be required to spend 3 days a week in the office
Starting in September, public servants in the core public administration will be required to work in the office a minimum of three days a week. The Treasury Board Secretariat says executives will need to be in the office four days per week.