Gatineau flood victims face eviction from temporary home

AnOutaouaiscouplemay soon be forced to leave their temporary home after the Quebec government told them they'd no longerbe supported by the Red Cross, which hashosted them since the devastating 2017 floods.

Chantal Therrienand Robert Macmillan are one ofseven families in theOutaouais still living in temporary homes as they wait for repairs to be completed at their own residences.

The couple'sGatineau homewas severely damaged during last year'sspringfloods.Renovation work began in October, but it's stillnot completed, and there's neitherwater nor electricity at the home.

"The main floor is not habitable. All winter, there was mud. We went into the house it's dirty," Therrientold Radio-Canada in a French-language interview. "I have no water to wash, to clean."

Extension denied

Last week, the couplereceived an email from Quebec's Ministry of Public Safetystating that they would no longer be supported by the Red Cross as of Aug.1.

They requested an extension, but were denied. They said they don't have familyin the area with whomthey can live, and also have two large dogs.

"We will be forced to leave. I'll have to come [to our damaged home]where I do not have water. How will I wash and clean?" Therriensaid.

"I do not know what to do. I am physically, mentally exhausted."

Inan email to Radio-Canada, Quebec's public safety departmentwrote that every case is differentand that Red Cross assistance can be extended in specificcases but only if the residents were not responsible for the delay.

The couple reported having problems with the first contractor they hired to repair the home, which could explain the fact it remains uninhabitable.

City pressures Quebec

The City of Gatineautold Radio-Canada that it'saware that there are still people in need of help.

"In my opinion, allsupport and disaster relief is the responsibility of the [provincial] government. Our roleis to put pressure on the government to help these families," said Louise Boudrias, Gatineau's deputy mayor.

Macmillan and Therriensaid they've also written to both their local MP,Alexandre Irac, and the provincial minister responsible for the Outaouaisregion, Stphanie Valle,asking for help.

The family says they are asking for nothing more than a month of additional assistance.

"Today, I'm still waiting for news, I'm a week away from being thrown out," Therriensaid.