JOHN CUMMINS: Tory calls for compensation
John Bermingham
Province
A common sight around Vancouver during the leaky condo era. — PROVINCE FILE PHOTO
Tory MP John Cummins wants a Gomery-style inquiry to blow the tarps off the federal government’s role in the leaky-condo crisis.
In a letter to Diane Finley, the minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Delta-Richmond East MP called for a judicial inquiry and fair compensation for leaky-condo owners.
“[Federal officials] behaved like a bunch of Kingsway used-car dealers,” said Cummins Friday. “I think it’s scandalous.”
A few months ago, Cummins went public with documents showing CMHC officials knew as far back as 1981 there was going to be a leak problem.
But CMHC did nothing to change the National Building Code or alert the public of the potential problem.
“What went on needs to be exposed. That kind of activity destroys public confidence in the civil service,” said Cummins.
Cummins wants homeowners to be fairly compensated, based on a formula decided by the courts.
“There are lives that have been ruined by this,” he said.
“If you want to put a pain and suffering component to the restitution, the costs would simply be out of sight.”
During the federal election, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper promised to review CMHC’s handling of leaky condos.
Carmen Maretic, who runs a B.C. housing support group based in Coquitlam, says an inquiry into CMHC is long overdue.
“Should a Crown corporation be protecting the integrity of the housing industry?” said Maretic. “It appears most of its energy is placed in keeping a vibrant real-estate market and not looking at the longer-term picture.”
“It’s never too late to get to the truth,” said leaky-condo owner James Balderson, who spent $161,000 on repairs to his Fairview Slopes townhouse.
“What’s missing in this fiasco so far is money for the purchasers of leaky condos,” he said.
Dan Healy, the owner of leaky condos in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam, who is suing CMHC for negligence, said an inquiry is long overdue.
“There’s got to be a review,” he said, “CMHC’s role in this disaster has to be reviewed.”
B.C. leaky-condo owners are involved in a proposed class-action lawsuit against CMHC, seeking full compensation for their repairs.
Diane Finley did not respond to interview requests Friday.
© The Vancouver Province 2006