WEDNESDAY November
12 2014
ELECTION 14
WestVan candidates BRIGHT LIGHTS 20
Stroke recovery centre SPORT 47
Field hockey finals L o c a l N e w s . L o c a l M at t e r s
INTERACT WITH THE NEWS at N S N E W S .C O M
NorthVancouver floods
Homeowners seek help from province BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
Homeowners left with severe damage from last week’s floods are hoping the province can help cover the costs of repairs as virtually everyone will see their private insurance claims rejected. Roughly 40 homeowners, renters and businesses are now eligible to apply for disaster financial assistance from Emergency Management B.C. Most people don’t know they’re not covered by their flood insurance until after the damage is done, said Bob Stewart, owner of Irwin and Billings Insurance in North Vancouver. “It’s surprising that it’s not well known,” he said. “It is a standard exclusion on virtually all standard personal insurance policies, not only in B.C. but in Canada in general.” Broken water pipes or sewer system back-ups typically are covered if the owner has purchased a policy that covers floods. Insurance companies, however, don’t sell policies that cover rising rivers because they aren’t viable for insurers, Stewart said. “It all depends on where the water comes from and how it gets in the house,” he said. The District of North Vancouver hosted a meeting for flooded-out residents to get connected with staff from B.C. Housing, the North Shore Emergency Management Office, the Red Cross and Emergency See Neighbours page 3
LoLo businesses cry foul over construction chaos BRENT RICHTER brichter@nsnews.com
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on camps & clinics
Book a snow camp or clinic by Nov. 30 and save at grousemountain.com/snowschool
Business owners on the 100-block of West First Street are crying out for the City of NorthVancouver’s help as the impacts of nearby condo construction are sapping them of parking and foot traffic. With entire 100-block of Lonsdale under redevelopment, the sidewalk and parking on the west side of Lonsdale Avenue have been blocked off. That follows business owners having to contend with construction impacts from the Capstone condo development on West Second Street. Another mix-used building is also set to begin construction in the coming weeks on West First. See City page 5