Flaws in defective concrete blocks scheme exposed by Canadian experiences

Homeowners in Canada with defective concrete have had government-sponsored remediation work begin a month after cracks were first noticed, a gathering of Irish and Canadian experts on defective concrete blocks has been told.

Inishowen-based Defective blocks homeowners Dr Eileen Doherty and Professor Paul Dunlop of Ulster University recently hosted a workshop in Ulster University, Magee, Derry. 

The workshop was funded by Knowledge Acquisition and Foresight Activities (KAFA) through the Connected NI project at Ulster University.

Thousands of homes in Quebec have been affected by pyrrhotite and the event was attended by  Professor Michel Pigeon, former chancellor of Laval University and former elected member of the Canadian parliament. He is one of the foremost scientists in the area of freeze/thaw in concrete and has  published extensively on this issue and  has a keen interest on how this crisis is impacting both Canadian and Irish society. He was joined by stakeholders from Le Trois Rivières region of Quebec, the area worst affected by pyrrhotite as well as some of those with a knowledge of the defective concrete crisis from Donegal and Derry.

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The workshop follows a trip last September by Dr Doherty and Professor Dunlop to Quebec to visit Laval University and the Le Trois Rivières region. 

“During our trip in September, we had the opportunity to meet with a number of key researchers and stakeholders who have significant experience and knowledge of how this crisis unfolded in Canada,” Dr Doherty said. 

“Discussion focused on the Canadian experience and how, whilst the problem emerged around the same time as it did in Ireland in 2010, they have remediated most of the affected homes already.  Alain Gelinas from Le Coalition d’aide aux victimes de la pyrrhotite spoke about how he noticed cracks to his home and approximately one month later his remediation, supported by the Canadian government scheme commenced.  A lot of discussion took place to try to understand how families in similar situations here in Ireland are facing years of delays before work can begin. Discussion centred around how lessons could be learned to support expediting the process here.

“Other obstacles to the scheme raised were things such as issues with technology as well as how many families affected are finding this process so complicated that there is concern among many that they may never be able to navigate this process. The situation of defective homes in Derry was also discussed and further meetings with Derry City Council are planned.

“Following a lengthy discussion by the group, it was noted by one of the participants that victims here are treated as if we are trying to ‘scam the system’ and constantly being made to prove that our applications are valid.  This comment ran true and adds to the trauma and stress being felt by many members of society from schoolchildren to pensioners.

Professor Dunlop said: “One thing of note was that the ‘enhanced scheme’ is coming up for review in terms of a public consultation within the next few months. Those who have tried to navigate the scheme are urged to keep an eye on these dates and to feed back issues they have experienced. “Minister O’Brien said a number of years ago that this scheme will evolve as it gets rolled out. This is an opportunity for us to see if he was sincere about this as if things are not working we will expect that they will evolve and be addressed.

“Ultimately, the workshop furthered the discussions around research opportunities and helped reinforce these connections with our Canadian counterparts. Further research and discussions are planned for the coming months.

Those attending the workshop included Joseph Morgan (EU Campaigner), Dr Karen Kirby, Oisin Keenan and Rachel McHugh (Ulster University), Rory Doherty (Queen's University), Martin Mc Dermott (Donegal County Council), Denise McCool, Rachel Grant, Michelle Coyle (Inishowen Development Partnership), Angeline Ruddy (Moville Community College), Alain Gelinas and Michel Lemay (Le Coalition d’aide aux victimes de la pyrrhotite’ in Canada), Sean Mooney (SDLP), Antaine Ó Fearghail and Ciara Ferguson (Sinn Féin), (Derry City Council).