Residents in Montreal's NDG neighbourhood launch class action over flooding response

Foul odours, and moral, material, and psychological damage, in addition to paying premium insurance rates, have led residents in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood to take the city over its response to flooding in July and December.

Foul odours, and moral, material, and psychological damage, in addition to paying premium insurance rates, have led residents in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood to take the city over its response to flooding in July and December.

On July 13, a powerful rainstorm dumped buckets of water (around 85 millimetres of rain) on the city, causing major flooding.

Then, on Dec. 17, another deluge of rain coupled with melting snow left many in the city with water in their basements.

Doran Smith and Ilana Grostern are leading the class action and detail extensive damage to their basements and properties due to flooding and the material and monetary losses to their property, in addition to the stress and anxiety the rain causes.

"On July 13, 2023, Mr. Smith watched with his family as water began to spew through a drain in the basement, pour from the toilet, and bubble up through the bath drain," the court document reads. "The water carried with it a black substance that he was able to identify as sand or dirt. The infiltration paused for a short period of time, but at 6 p.m. picked up again, leaving the entire basement and all contents submersed in at least six inches of water, dirt, and sewer bacteria."

The document goes on to describe the ongoing ordeal the Smiths and other residents encountered during and after the flooding.

The case applies to anyone affected within the area between Cote-Saint-Luc Road and Fielding Street and Coronation Street and Brock Avenue.