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June 19th, 2012

Pyrrhotite crisis: NDP and Proprio-Béton Coalition call on government assistance

Hundreds of citizens indicated their expectations from federal government on this issue

OTTAWA — Determined to move forward with the pyrrhotite crisis, NDP Leader Tom Mulcair, New Democrat MPs for Mauricie Robert Aubin and Ruth Ellen Brosseau, and representatives from the Proprio-Béton Coalition called on the federal government today to assist victims.

More than a thousand families saw their life investments disappear in the last few years after discovering pyrrhotite in the foundations of their homes. This aggregate, when present in the concrete and in contact with humidity, cracks the foundations. For each case, the repair bill is hundreds of thousands of dollars, sometimes even more than the cost of the house.

Specifically, the NDP and the Proprio-Béton Coalition are asking the government for financial assistance equivalent to that provided by the provincial government, a revision of standards on the quality of concrete aggregates to avoid a repeat of this tragedy, and the establishment of a loan program for victims so they can start repairs while waiting for the final settlement.

“It’s inconceivable that more than a thousand Quebec families are going through this terrible ordeal without federal government assistance,” said Mulcair. “We have a collective responsibility towards constituents dealing with pyrrhotite.”

“After seeing the horrendous damage to these homes, and the impacts on the physical and psychological health of these Mauricie families, I believe we need to act quickly,” added Robert Aubin (Trois-Rivières). “The hundreds of stories and support that we’ve received lately shows the unity of our community throughout this ordeal. It’s now up to the government to make a move!”

Accompanied by representatives of the Proprio-Béton Coalition, including its president Mr. Yvon Boivin, the MPs presented more than 1,000 letters addressed to various MPs and Conservatives ministers, including all those in Quebec, which they received from citizens.

They recalled that in the case of pyrite, the federal government supported victims by creating a 17 million dollar assistance fund. “But the work necessary to get rid of pyrite was less intrusive and less costly for the owners. The victims of pyrrhotite also need assistance from the federal government to help them out of this terrible situation,” concluded Ruth Ellen Brosseau (Berthier-Maskinongé).