'Leaning to proceeding': Class action lawyer visits Mud Lake flood victims
Litigator behind potential suit values it at well over $1M
A Halifax-based litigator is in Labrador meeting with Mud Lake flooding victims and determining whether to launch a class action.
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"Well we wouldn't be here today if we didn't think there was a causal connection," lawyer Ray Wagner said about the potential relationship between the Muskrat Falls hydroelectric project and last month's flooding.
He'll assess the viability of the case over the next 30 days but said he's "leaning to proceeding" with a suit he values at well over $1 million.
Info session
Wagner held an information session in Happy Valley–Goose Bay on Tuesday to discuss how a lawsuit would work.
The 25 people in attendance signed up. About 100 were affected by the flooding.
Roland Saunders, one of the people who put his name down, said he's after "fairness."
"I just want another home, I guess," he said.
"I had a home. The government took it — the only way to explain that — outright took it."
"Now they just kinda want to deny, deny, deny so, you know, just be fair and give back ... what I lost, a whole life basically."
At the end of this 30 days, far as I know, I may be homeless.- Roland Saunders
In addition to covering the value of damaged property and potential relocation costs, Wagner said if the suit proceeds he'll also be seeking damages for psychological and physical harm caused by the flood and subsequent evacuation.
Saunders said water rose 41 inches in his home on Mud Lake Road and the electrical needs to be replaced.
Even if it's fixed, he said he's not sure he'll ever feel safe there.
Evacuees unsure about lodging
Saunders and the other evacuees are staying at 5 Wing Goose Bay for now.
The base opened its barracks for 30 days.
Saunders said there's about a week left and he hasn't been told what will happen when time is up.
"At the end of this 30 days, far as I know, I may be homeless," he said.
"I don't know if they're going to give us the boot, or give us an extension on the stay, or what the case may be."
The situation is being reassessed, according to a 5 Wing spokesperson.
"If there's still a requirement for temporary accommodation at 5 Wing, the Red Cross will communicate it to the province of N.L. and the request for additional support will then make its way to [the Department of National Defence,]" the spokesperson said in a statement to the CBC.
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