The Quebec government has announced changes to its compensation plan for victims of the historic flooding this spring that could allow more homeowners in floodplains to rebuild.
The province says municipalities will be allowed to apply for a collective exemption for certain residential zones in low-lying areas, but Public Security Minister Martin Coiteux tells CJAD 800 that exceptions will be few and far between.
"These are going to be the exceptions," he said. "We want to make sure people are safe in the future, because those flood [waters] will come back again and unfortunately with climate change the risk is they will be more severe."
The government is also altering how it determines compensation for reconstruction.
Instead of basing compensation on the municipal evaluation of the property, it will be based on the cost for constructing a new building on the site.
Coiteux says this will help homeowners with more modest houses.
More than $25.9 million has been distributed to flood victims as of July 19, according to the Coiteux's office. There are 4,997 claims that have been opened, and 95 per cent of all damage inspections are completed, an increase of three per cent compared to last week.