Flooded Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac residents to launch class action against government

A group of flooded residents in a municipality northwest of Montreal plan on launching a class-action lawsuit against the Quebec government.

About 500 residents of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac met on Friday to decide to apply for the class action, confirmed Grard Samet, a lawyer representing the group.

Samet said he wouldapply for a class action lawsuit within the next week.

A natural dike protecting the off-island suburb was breached by water flowing from the Lake of Two Mountainslast week, flooding about 2,000 homes and forcing about 6,000 to evacuate.

The dike was inspected after severe flooding hit the province in 2017, and the government was planning on makingrepairs this fall.

Residents Michelle and John Ellisonhope the class action lawsuit might get them the money they need to move if they're not allowed to return.

"If they're going topay for the clean-up and we can stay there, I'll be very happy. This is where I want to stay the rest of my life," said Michelle Ellison.

Quebec Premier Franois Legault said on Thursday that the government has not decided whether the breached dike will be repaired.

The dike, made from gravel and earth, was constructed in 1980, allowing the community formerly comprised of summer cottages to more than double in size.

A temporary dike, made of stone, is being constructed to keep the water at bay.

Some of those who have been allowed to return have found their homes severely damaged by the flooding.