CALGARY- Homeowners in two High River neighbourhoods have won their first victory in their fight for flood compensation above and beyond what the province is offering.
Their compensation dispute will go to arbitration, despite what they say is opposition from the province.
Residents of the Hamptons and Sunrise claim they suffered more damage than other High River neighbourhoods because the berms surrounding their communities kept their homes submerged in a man-made lake for up to 30 days.
They say to make matters worse, emergency authorities pumped even more water into their neighbourhoods from nearby communities.
“We weren’t victims of a natural disaster, we were victims of a man-made disaster,” says homeowner Greg Tymchyna.
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The province has offered residents money to repair their homes, but some believe their houses are unlivable and want money to totally rebuild.
They claim the province should be obligated to compensate them at a level above the standard disaster relief payments, claiming their homes were sacrificed to benefit others.
“We are talking about houses that are totally destroyed. Structurally, there’s nothing left of these homes,” says Tymchyna. “We have mould issues; it’s behind the wall, it’s in the insulation, it’s in the attic.”
Tymchyna, his wife and their four children have been out of their home for six months.
“The house is worthless and you just can’t repair that home and the DRP (disaster relief program) won’t listen to our case.”
Residents asked the provincial government to go to arbitration to work out a compensation agreement, but say the province flatly refused.
A judge has now ordered the province to enter arbitration, a victory Tymchyna says is a small one, but a significant one.
“It’s a very small victory probably, but not to us. This Christmas just got so much more merry.”
Alberta Justice says it respects the court’s decision but cannot offer further comment since the case remains before the courts.
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