'We are losing faith': Cape Breton family's Fiona damage gets worse
More than four months after Hurricane Fiona hit Atlantic Canada, people are still dealing with damaged homes as they wait for help from insurance companies and provincial aid programs.
Thomas Lynk and his young family are one of many still waiting for help and as time goes on, their living conditions are only getting worse.
"We are losing faith. To be honest with you, we are losing faith," Lynk said.
Last week, water spilled through the ceiling of Lynk's home into buckets below.
Since then, another big rainstorm passed through the area, causing the already damaged part of the ceiling to become worse.
"Parts of the ceiling has collapsed and almost hit me," Lynk said. “Thank God the kids weren't there.”
The area's MLA has tried to help the family for months. He was shocked to see the latest damage.
"They need the help and they need it now," said Fred Tilley, the Northside-Westmount Liberal MLA. "And just the red tape of this situation is, again, the only word I can use is unacceptable."
On Tuesday, a Louisbourg, N.S., couple who have been unable to live in their home since Fiona shared their story with CTV Atlantic.
A day later, another family in the community came forward with insurance frustrations.
"I need my house to be completely done over. I need a new barn. I need a new fence," said homeowner Glenn Shepard.
Shepard said he lost thousands of dollars in valuables inside his barn, and his basement is damaged.
However, he has yet to receive an insurance offer that satisfies him.
"They only offered me a quarter of what I'm asking for. I'm fighting them, and I'm not backing down, not one little bit," Shepard said.
Nova Scotia's Office of the Superintendent of Insurance told CTV News in an email that the province saw an unprecedented number of claims following Fiona.
Still, they expect insurance companies to be responsive and provide timely information.
They add the office has received only one Fiona-related complaint, and that they are working on a resolution.
As for the Lynk family, they say an insurance adjustor visited their home last week but they haven't heard anymore since.
Now, they face this weekend's minus 20 degree temperatures in poor living conditions.
"We should be able to manage, but if it comes down to it, we do have a place where my wife and the kids can go," Lynk said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.
Tabloid publisher says he pledged to be Trump campaign's 'eyes and ears' during 2016 race
A veteran tabloid publisher testified Tuesday that he pledged to be Donald Trump 's 'eyes and ears' during his 2016 presidential campaign, recounting how he promised the then-candidate that he would help suppress stories that had the potential to harm the Republican's election bid.