Minister grilled on plan for 'bug-infested, crime-ridden' Manitoba Housing unit

The minister responsible for Manitoba Housing was forced to answer questions about the health and safety of tenants in a building rife with bedbugs, cockroaches and crime during question period in the Manitoba Legislature Tuesday.

St. Johns NDP MLA Nahanni Fontaine asked Minister of Families Scott Fielding whether he would commit to reviewing pest-control policies concerning residents living in the highrise on 444 Kennedy St.

"Manitoba Housing residents are asking the minister of families to take action on what they describe as bug-infested, crime-ridden buildings with unsympathetic eviction policies," said Fontaine.

• 'Beyond frustrated': Manitoba Housing tenants cry out for better living conditions

She referred to a CBC story from Tuesday, in which the group of tenants, many of whom have mental health issues and physical disabilities, called for better living conditions.

Residents told CBC they feel stuck in a dangerous, dirty building and their complaints are not being heard by Manitoba Housing staff. They also said because of health issues, many residents have difficulty preparing their suites for treatments for the bugs.

"Residents deserve to live in a clean, bug-free home. Manitoba housing should prioritize the health of their tenants," Fontaine said.

"Will the minister commit to reviewing housing pest-control policies, making them more effective and more understanding of residents' limitations?"

Fielding said Manitoba Housing is continuing its pest-control treatments at the building.

"Manitoba Housing does also need co-operation with a lot of the residents that are a part of it and we are working with them to rectify the pest and the bug problem," said Fielding.

Fern Barthelette, who spoke to the CBC about his cockroach-infested suite, said he was unable to prepare his suite for treatments because of health-related limitations. Instead of the eviction notices he said he received from Manitoba Housing, he wanted help packing up his belongings.

John Dunnec, who has end-stage renal failure and is on dialysis, has had cockroaches in his suite for four years. He said he complies with the preparation measures but lives next to a neighbour who doesn't.

"It sounded to me like the minister of families actually just blamed the residents of the Manitoba Housing unit, saying that they're uncooperative," said Fontaine.

"I think that's very disingenuous," she added.

Fontaine then questioned the minister on whether he would bolster security measures at the building, which was the site of a homicide in December, a stabbing in May and several other serious assaults in recent months.

"Since inheriting the mess that the NDP government left, over $500 million of deferred maintenance on properties like this, the reality is you didn't get the job done, and we're here to get the job done," Fielding told Fontaine.