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
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
BREAKING Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, claims he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have told the court the accused unlawfully caused the death of four women, but argue he is not criminally responsible due to mental disorder.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial fined him US$1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order once again and sternly warned the former president that additional violations could result in jail time.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Holocaust researchers use AI to search for unnamed victims
Researchers in Israel are turning to artificial intelligence to comb through piles of records to try to identify hundreds of thousands of Jewish people killed in the Holocaust whose names are missing from official memorials.
Russia warns Britain and plans nuclear drills over the West's possible deepening role in Ukraine
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.