Prime Minister François Legault held a press briefing on Friday to take stock of the situation following the damage caused by the storm. DebbyHe encouraged affected citizens to apply for assistance under the government compensation program, promising that the Ministry of Public Security would be “flexible” in reviewing the cases.
During a press scrum held early Friday afternoon, Premier François Legault was reassuring about the rains expected at the end of the week, particularly for regions that were hit hard by flooding caused by Debby.
The forecast is for 15 to 25 mm of precipitation, but it could go up to 50 mm in places in northern Lanaudière.
For this reason, Caroline Proulx, minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, recommended that people with a cottage in northern Lanaudière not go there on weekends.
“But generally speaking, [ces pluies] should not cause additional damage at the end of the week,” emphasizes François Legault.
Financial compensation
Regarding citizens who were affected by floods after the passage of Debbyand in particular for residents whose homes were flooded by sewer backups, the Prime Minister reiterated what he announced Thursday during his visit to Louiseville: the Ministry of Public Safety will be “more flexible” in expanding the government compensation program.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Meeting between François Legault, Minister of Public Security François Bonnardel and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region Caroline Proulx
He recommended that citizens contact their private insurance companies, to claim “the maximum amount that can be claimed,” he added. On a case-by-case basis, the government will study the possibility of compensating the difference to cover the costs of damage caused by the storm.
“I want to send a clear message to Quebecers: we are here to help you,” he insisted. The vast majority of municipalities will help citizens who need help cleaning out their basements, he promised. “But we won’t need the Canadian army,” he added, regarding Louiseville, assuring that the situation was “under control.”
Read “What is the government compensation program?”
Roads still damaged
Regarding the damage caused by Debbythere are still about twenty roads to repair, 15 of them located in Lanaudière and the Laurentians. At the beginning of the week, there was talk of 180 roads to repair, estimates François Bonnardel, Minister of Public Security.
“Things are progressing well in this area,” the Prime Minister said. “But there is still work to be done, particularly in Lanaudière and the Laurentians.”