Homeowners must be compensated for pyrrhotite: Turmel

TROIS-RIVIÈRES — Thousands of Mauricie residents facing foundation problems in the home due to pyrrhotite must be compensated, New Democrat Leader Nycole Turmel said today as she met with local residents alongside New Democrat MP Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières).

“The pyrrhotite crisis is threatening the financial survival of many families in Mauricie,” Turmel said. “It’s an economic and human tragedy that calls for an immediate response—government has a moral obligation to help. In addition to compensation, federal standards for concrete aggregates should be strengthened in order to avoid a repeat of this crisis.”

In the Mauricie region, more than a thousand families have seen their life savings disappear in the last few years after discovering pyrrhotite in the foundation of their homes. For homeowners, repair costs can total hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“As the Member of Parliament for Trois-Rivières, I am pleased to see that this issue has made it to Ottawa,” said Aubin. “People in the region can count on the NDP to demand fair compensation from the Conservative government.”

“In 2011, Quebecers set the wheel of change in motion and don’t want to go back to the old debates and the old scandals. By working together, we’ll replace the Conservatives in 2015 and build a better future for Quebec families,” concluded Turmel.