Lawsuit accuses reno firm of causing flooding

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This article was published 03/03/2025 (454 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Housing is suing a contractor for allegedly bungling a renovation to one of its townhouses that it says caused flooding damage in the dead of winter.

The government alleges Canotech Consultants Ltd. owes it $76,992.43 in damages, as well as court costs and interest, in a filing launched in Manitoba Court of King’s Bench in February.

Manitoba Housing and Canotech signed a contract in July 2022 to renovate a two-storey apartment-style townhouse on Martin Avenue in Winnipeg, including replacement of the exterior insulation and installation of new furnaces.

In February 2023, Manitoba Housing alleges, an official from Canotech advised that water was found running from the second floor down to the basement.

A claims adjuster and a consultant found “extensive water and water damage” from a second-floor bathroom down to the basement, as well as a “total lack of insulating and protecting materials for the building, thereby causing significant heat loss and significant cold air intrusion.”

On the main floor, the adjuster and consultant found a blistered and split copper line, indicative of a frozen piece of pipe. Contractors who were hired to fix the job found more blistered and ruptured copper pipes throughout the building.

The province claims the frozen pipes were caused by Canotech’s lack of care, including a lack of adequate heating, protection and insulation. They allege standing water in the pipes froze, causing them to burst and flood the area.

The government maintains Canotech breached its contract and was negligent.

Manitoba Housing’s emergency repairs cost just over $26,000, while the final repairs amounted to just over $50,000.

Canotech has yet to file a statement of defence; the matter hasn’t been heard in court.

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca