A new wave of Hydro-Quebec upgrades and improvements in Laval-des-Rapides and other sectors is testing the patience of residents and business owners, as repeated power failures and equipment damages are piling up. Robert Mancini is still assessing damages at his restaurant following a series of power outages that damaged his equipment because of power surges when the current is restored. “So we had to remove the grill here. It’s completely out,” said Mancini while pointing to a refrigerator. Mancini, who co-owns a franchise of the chain Kitchen 73, said his main fridge had to be completely emptied of fresh food and produce after the power outage extended for a full day. All the food that was stored there went into the garbage. And that’s not counting other expenses, like lost business that day. “That’s anywhere between 5,000 to $7,000 for a Saturday, the loss of food, everything that’s prepared, the salaries that I had to pay,” explained Mancini in desperation. A repair crew told Mancini that a blown transformer triggered the last outage. But Hydro-Quebec says it won’t pay for the damages. Mancini now has to file an insurance claim “I think it’s ridiculous. I think because it’s a monopoly. Where can I go to get someone else? I can’t go anywhere else.” In Quebec, Hydro Quebec is protected from liability damages in case of power outages. The Crown corporation says consumers should install surge protectors to protect their appliances and equipment in case of a power surge when current is restored. A spokesperson from the utility told CTV News that it’s currently upgrading its equipment in fast-growing sectors like Laval-des-Rapides. Maintenance work has been planned and corrective actions are underway, primarily involving the replacement of several components, such as insulators and conductors, according to Hydro-Quebec’s Lynn St-Laurent. “Our vegetation management teams will continue the work also this summer in Laval des Rapides including along two lines serving the area,” St-Laurent said. St-Laurent confirms Hydro-Quebec can’t be held liable for damages caused by outages. “In cases where outages are caused by weather events or other unforeseen incidents affecting the grid, customers are encouraged to contact their insurance provider for any losses related to food spoilage or other damages.”
