$85.5 million settlement approved for Lake Manitoba flood victims: ‘It hurts to see everyone lose so much’ – Winnipeg | The Canadian News

A settlement agreement was reached involving property owners along Lake Manitoba.

More than ten years after extensive flooding damaged homes and property, the Manitoba government was forced to pay $85.5 million in settlement, including to cabin owner Alice Dent.

Anyone who owns real or personal property outside the nearby First Nations reserve and within a 30km radius of the 2011 flood-damaged lake can make a claim for compensation. Those affected have until April 14, 2022 to file a claim.

“Our main focus in this entire class action lawsuit was to show that the government was responsible,” Dent said.

“It hurt me to see everyone lose so much,” he said. “The cabin has a lot of memories, it was almost like a gathering place.”

Dent’s late father built the family cabin in 1968. In 2011, severe flooding completely damaged the building, forcing the family to tear it down.

“It makes me cry every time. My dad was buried there. His ashes were there, only God knows where they are now,” he says.

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She never anticipated how extreme the 2011 flooding would be until a neighbor called her one morning.

“He said, ‘it’s all gone,’ and I said, ‘what do you mean, it’s all gone?’ and he said, ‘You’re a place, it’s flattened.’”

“I still find it hard to believe,” she says. “The way they diverted the water to us is incredible.”

All he has left is a piece of stained glass from the cabin he gave his father.

He says the decision to rebuild in 2013 was a difficult one, as a flood channel had yet to be built to prevent further disasters.

“They need to get one with this channel that they’re going to build, before the next flood comes,” she says. “So, will we be in the same position again? It only brings nightmares again.”

The proceeds from the lawsuit you receive will be used to finish the reconstruction.

class action lawsuit

The class action lawsuit represented by DD West LLP was filed in 2013, alleging that the Manitoba government was responsible for damage to areas surrounding Lake Manitoba.

A three-week trial was held from late February to early March 2021, with the Honorable Justice Joan McKelvey of the Queen’s Bench Court presiding as judge.

On June 11, 2021, Judge McKelvey concluded that the province was at fault.

The Manitoba government did not respond when asked for comment on the outcome of the lawsuit.