Governments of Canada and Quebec Announce the Signing of An Agreement to Help Victims of Pyrrhotite with a Federal Investment of $30 Million Over Three Years


TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QUÉBEC--(Marketwired - July 11, 2016) - The governments of Canada and Quebec are pleased to announce the signing of an agreement to provide assistance for homeowners dealing with pyrrhotite. This agreement will result in a federal investment of $30 million over three years, starting in 2016/2017, to help homeowners facing challenges caused by the presence of pyrrhotite in the Mauricie area.

"Families must get the help they need as soon as possible to deal with this economic and human tragedy. This is why the federal government worked closely with the Government of Quebec so that the funding would be distributed through an existing provincial financial assistance program," said François-Philippe Champagne, Member of Parliament for Saint-Maurice-Champlain and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

The SHQ has the go-ahead to commit the federal funds through the existing Quebec program to indemnify homeowners whose homes are impacted by pyrrhotite. The first $10 million are now available and, for now, are in addition to the $5 million in emergency assistance announced last week by the Government of Quebec.

Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, and the members of the National Assembly for the Mauricie region were pleased with this announcement that will benefit the area. "This additional assistance will provide relief to homeowners affected by this situation. We will continue to be responsive to the needs of the victims and remain available to help them," they added, on behalf of Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy, Minister of Public Security and Minister responsible for the Montréal region.

According to the SHQ's estimates, the first $10 million in federal financial assistance will benefit 130 homeowners. Starting this week, the SHQ will be informing its municipal partners by e-mail of the budgets that will be made available to them. They will then be able to quickly begin the work approval process with impacted homeowners.

About Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

CMHC has been helping Canadians meet their housing needs for more than 70 years. As Canada's authority on housing, we contribute to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provide support for Canadians in housing need, and offer unbiased housing research and advice to Canadian governments, consumers and the housing industry. Prudent risk management, strong corporate governance and transparency are cornerstones of our operations. For more information, please call 1-800-668-2642 or visit www.cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

About the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ)

The mission of the Société d'habitation du Québec (SHQ) is to facilitate citizens' access to adequate housing. Each year, thanks to its programs and many partners, the SHQ helps more than 228,000 Quebec households. To find out more about the programs and services offered by the SHQ, as well as its activities and achievements, or else to get advice on housing, visit www.habitation.gouv.qc.ca/english.html and follow the SHQ on social networks:

Facebook: SocietehabitationQuebec

Twitter: HabitationSHQ

Contact Information:

Sources: Mathieu Filion
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
mathieu.filion@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Marie-Eve Pelletier
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land
Occupancy, Minister of Public Security, and
Minister responsible for the Montréal region
418-643-2112

Information: Catherine Leger
Senior Consultant
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
514-283-7972
cleger@cmhc.ca

Sylvain Fournier
Communications and Media Relations Advisor
Societe d'habitation du Quebec
418-643-4035, ext. 1113
sylvain.fournier@shq.gouv.qc.ca