Tenants forced to flee Winnipeg apartment want thousands in costs compensated

Thousands of dollars in unplanned expenses are putting people who were forced to evacuate from Birchwood Terrace on hard times, and some say they want to see restitution from the building’s owner as they try to rebuild their lives.

“We should be allowed some sort of compensation,” said Kayla Dussome, a mother evacuated from Birchwood Terrace. “I’m trying to keep my sanity in check, but it’s been very difficult.” 

Dussome is a young mother and says her overall hopes and dreams, like saving money, and maybe travelling, have been dashed completely as a result of the evacuation, her associated costs already surpassing $5,000.

“To be honest, I’m an absolute mess,” said Dussome.

It’s a figure that will likely continue to climb in the coming weeks, and she wants those expenses covered by Ladco Company Ltd.

She’s one of dozens affected by the evacuation of the building, which emergency officials called a “potential disaster,” that forced 250 people to leave, many just finding places to live, like Dussome, or holding tight in hotels covered by the City of Winnipeg and the Canadian Red Cross. 

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It’s being called a “potential disaster”. An apartment block on Portage Avenue where officials fear it could collapse, forcing more than 200 to evacuate, many still moving out. “It’s very stressful….

“It’s been a nightmare.” 

Ladco Company Ltd., the owner of the building, has not responded to repeated requests for comment from CityNews.

Officials with the municipality say “the City of Winnipeg continues to work with its partners on providing support to tenants who have not yet found alternate housing accommodations.” 

But for Dussome, she says the financial issues are not her only worry, as her entire family has been deeply affected by the evacuation. 

“My kids are distraught every time we drive by this place. I try not to drive by, because then, they have a fit – they want to go home. They think this is home. This has always been home for them and for me, that has been truly heartbreaking,” said Dussome.