Historic floods: Coiteux welcomes and experts say that it is better to prevent than to cure

Photo Agence QMI, Simon Clark
Martin Coiteux
Minister of public Safety

Nicolas Lachance

Tuesday, march 27, 2018 19:24

UPDATE
Tuesday, march 27, 2018 19:24

Look at this article

While the government was harshly criticized for his handling of the crisis that followed the historic floods of last spring, the experts claim advise citizens to always prepare for the worst.

The Journal revealed on Tuesday that the ministry of public Security, was not ready to an explosion of claims related to floods in 2017. The government has had to hire staff in ” disaster “, while several others have resigned.

The minister of public Safety, Martin Coiteux, admitted in the House on Tuesday that there was still work to do. It welcomes, however, that the compensation now reaching$ 158 Million for the 6100 claims that have been made.

“We have hired close to a hundred people to redouble their zeal to the task, and it is for this reason that almost all the victims have received at least between 70 % and 90 % of the amount to which they are entitled “, said minister Martin Coiteux.

Poor management

However, the minister refused to justify the wave of resignations and dismissals in the Department of recovery within the MSP because of the difficult working conditions.

“It is bad management “, has pestered the member of the CAQ, Sylvie D’amours.

She argues that the government has not been able to learn of the natural disasters in the past. “It is clear that even if one has committed in the world, it turns round and round. This is the mess in there “, she said.

The leader of the Parti québécois, Jean-François Lisée, did not mince words, pointing out that the role of the MSP is, in fact, “be ready” to cope with unforeseen problems.

“It’s part of the definition of” tasks, has criticized the leader of the PQ.

Prevent

The floods have smiled to companies specializing in claims, as Qualinet, which has just experienced a record year for the interventions of the following claims.

In order to avoid the worst, the president Éric Pichette advises citizens living near rivers and in flood-prone areas to prepare in advance to not end up feet in the water.

“At least have the material to seal the doors and pockets of sand to prevent the water from reaching the houses,” he mentioned, which may avoid an increase in insurance premiums.