An amount of up to $ 375,000 will be offered to victims who will have to say goodbye to their homes located in La Baie, in Saguenay, announced Prime Minister François Legault, Wednesday, passing through the scene. An announcement that puts “a small bandage on the sore”, according to evacuated Baieriverains.
“Of the 76 residences that have been evacuated, there are five, unfortunately, that cannot be saved,” said Mr. Legault, near the area evacuated due to the risk of landslides. Four other houses could also be demolished, added the Prime Minister.
“We will take care of you, at least the financial part,” assured Mr. Legault, addressing the citizens, under a gray sky. First set at $260,000, the maximum amount offered to those who cannot return home will now be $375,000. The replacement value of furniture will also be reimbursed, said the Prime Minister.
As for the 67 residences that will be preserved, residents of Baierive will be able to return there in two to four months, which is the estimated duration of the sector stabilization work. “It’s going to be a tough time” for the evacuees, admitted Mr. Legault, alongside Mayor Julie Dufour and Minister of Housing and responsible for the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region, Andrée Laforest.
The assistance of $20 per day offered to disaster victims will be doubled, announced François Legault. Victims are presently in their secondary residence, in their campsite, in a housing of the municipal office of housing, in a housing of a private owner or in the hotel. “We think that by Friday everyone should have accommodation,” said the Prime Minister.
In all, more than 190 people had to leave the La Baie sector because of the imminent risk of a landslide. A first house was taken away on June 13th.
” It’s very hard “
For Marius Harvey, a resident who had to evacuate his house at the end of April, the passage of the Prime Minister puts “a small bandage on the sore”. “But it’s very hard,” whispers the 74-year-old To have to, tears in his eyes. “I didn’t recover anything, I didn’t take anything out, zero,” said the Baieriverain, who had lived in his home for 48 years. I have my clothes and my medicine”.
A few steps away, Alain Larouche and Dominique Simard, two victims, are delighted with the announcement made by Mr. Legault. “We said that the amounts were not enough, says Mme Simard, after taking a photo with the Prime Minister. But really, I think he answered. »
Last Saturday’s evacuation was “hell,” says Dominique Simard. “I was a little unconscious,” continues Mr. Larouche. The 61-year-old man laments the fact that he learned that he had to leave his house through social networks, and not by the City.
The couple stays at the hostel, with their cat, while waiting to be able to move into temporary accommodation. Mme Simard hopes to return to her home, where she has lived for a dozen years with her husband. But she is sorry to have to wait two to four months. “It’s flat,” says the 64-year-old woman, shaking her head. “We had nothing, but it’s more for morale than it’s hard,” she continues.
Alain Larouche says he had to leave his aquarium fish behind when he left his house. “They are sure to die,” he said. Not to mention the plants that will wither, adds Mme Simard. “These are simple things, but we think of all the time and money we have put in,” she illustrates.