Pierrefonds residents highlight government 'negligence' at Montreal Symphony Orchestra concert

Despite rain and ademonstration by disgruntled residents,theMontreal Symphony Orchestra gave a rousing performance in Pierrefonds on Thursday evening.

The benefit concert aimed to provide solace to the victims of the springflooding, which caused major damage to thousands ofhomes across Quebec in April and May.

Pierrefonds-Roxborowas one the most heavily-hit regions in Montreal as high water levelsinfiltrated backyards, basements and kitchens.

Some residentsused the event to express their dissatisfaction with themunicipal, provincial or federal governments in the aftermath of the flooding.

Several dozen wore a T-shirt with the words "Negligence, abandoned, action" printed on it.

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ItsikRomano said she wanted to use the opportunity "to show our discontent with the government and city officials [with]how they are handling our situation."

Rene Leblanc, whoestimates his home sustained about $70,000 to $90,000 of damage, calledon government officials to be more present in the community.

"Are we going in a mood of celebration? No. We are going to say thank you to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and their director, because I think to not go would not send out the right message,"Leblanctold CBC News.

Both Leblanc and Romanolive on desMaons Streetresidents in Pierrefonds. Last week, people living on that street called a meeting to discuss how some had received initial payments fromthe government of up to $10,000, but others hadn't.

They also discussed how some damaged homes had been appraised but there was never any followup by Quebec's Public Security Ministry.

Music 'can touch people'

Adam Johnson, the assistant conductor of the OSM, was the MC atThursday's event and himself lives on a street which was flooded, onleParizeau,north of Pierrefonds.

He said the orchestra is helping support these flood victims how they can with uplifting music.

"We know that people have suffered and music is something that really can touch people in a profound way," Johnson said.

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