Canadian Mortgage News

January 2001 National News Archive

Minister Gagliano Urges Quebec Government to Aid Victims of Pyrite-Damaged Homes

OTTAWA, Ontario, June 15, 2001 — The Honourable Alfonso Gagliano, Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, today called on the Government of Quebec to accept the Government of Canada's offer in order to provide immediate aid to property owners affected by the pyrite problem.

The Government of Canada is prepared to provide financial assistance of up to $17.5 million, which represents 25 percent of the cost of the provincial program.

"The Government of Quebec must think of the needs of property owners and proceed without delay with the program it created," the Minister said.

The voluntary contribution of the Government of Canada respects the position of the Government of Quebec, which has exclusive responsibility for consumer protection.

"The Province of Quebec recently indicated that it alone has jurisdiction over consumer protection in matters relating to housing quality. This responsibility also includes the pyrite problem," said the Minister.

The Government of Canada has offered to participate in the Homeowners Assistance Program to assist homeowners whose property has been damaged by pyrite. The government's contribution is made on a voluntary basis in the spirit of cooperative federalism.

During the last federal election, the Government of Canada pledged to come to the assistance of the owners of homes which sustained pyrite damage.

"We are talking about a federal contribution of $17.5 million, not a shortfall of $10.5 million as the Government of Quebec claims," said Minister Gagliano.

For more information:

Eric Tétrault
Press Director
Office of Minister Gagliano
Tel : (819) 953-1098

Denis Abbott
Media Relations
CMHC
Tel : (613) 748-2375

News source: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)