Guy Berardino spent the winter in -40 degrees, experienced depression and has to spend thousands of dollars to repair the damage to his home. All because Hydro-Quebec is unable to connect its residency in a reasonable amount of time.
“Not only is the material in my house damaged, but also my spirit. i have no life I travel 20 km to take a shower at a friend’s house and do my laundry in a laundry room,” says Guy Berardino, citizen of Saint-Zénon.
Without electricity, he has to eat ready meals that he buys in convenience stores. He would like to do his shopping but cannot connect a refrigerator at home.
“It’s ridiculous, we don’t live in the time of Caleb’s daughters!” I pay taxes like everyone else,” this concierge confesses over the phone, who is struggling to hold back his sobs during our interview.
Bad surprise
In the autumn of 2022, after changing jobs, Mr. Berardino buys a house in need of repairs in Saint-Zénon. He made a connection request to Hydro-Québec on October 8. He told himself to pack in time for the winter and the extreme cold.
“I waited until the first week of December. My electrician told me he still had no news and that I might want to call Hydro-Québec. Customer service saw my file and told me, “Right now we’re having a problem with a lack of technicians. You also live in the region. It will take 12 to 18 months, find a plan B.” It broke my legs! ‘ says the 55-year-old.
Mr. Berardino then equipped himself with a gas furnace and a generator. However, his neighbors are all connected and live barely 30 meters from his house. Meanwhile, Hydro-Quebec offered him a “temporary connection,” which would have cost between $4,000 and $6,000.
“Why should I pay extra? I’m not a big employee, I work for the school board as a janitor,” he laments.
Property damage nearly $10,000
The situation complicates Guy Berardino’s daily life. He has to come home at every opportunity.
“I spend my 45 minute lunch break going to my house to see if the gas has been turned off. Because if there is a lack of air in the house, the stove stops.”
Of course, the harsh winter without electricity damaged his house. He lived part of the winter in 13 degrees Celsius. The ice swelled his windows and mold invaded the foundations of his house. To the point where he now has to undo everything he built by buying the property.
“That’s at least $10,000 in damages. And that’s because I’m the one who does it. I’ll also have to replace all of my windows because they’ve expanded through the ice,” he says.
Fitzgibbon answers him
Mr Berardino admits falling into depression after Christmas. He spent 15 days in a cabana “looking at his house.” Diane Laroque, an author and longtime friend, was concerned about his mental health. She decided to contact the media.
“He scared me after the holidays. Knowing it was going to take so long he almost became depressed, unable to hold a conversation without crying. What amazed me is that he called Hydro-Quebec and they saw his condition but nobody did anything,” she said.
Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister for Energy
She eventually received an email reply from Minister Pierre Fitzgibbon himself, saying he would look into her problem.
But Mr. Berardino is still waiting.
The Journal contacted Hydro on Friday to inquire about the case.
“It’s a connection that requires engineering, logging and planting of stakes. It’s not an easy connection,” explains Hydro-Québec’s Caroline Des Rosiers. If it is engineering work, more time is required. But a technician from Hydro-Quebec is in touch with Mr. Berardino,” she says.
Lack of employees at Hydro
Hydro-Quebec, which announced historic earnings on Wednesday, is suffering from major labor problems.
“Actually, a lot of people are missing when it comes to connection requests,” spokesman Cendrix Bouchard said when asked about it Wednesday when Hydro-Québec’s findings were released.
“Demand has increased by about 50% in the last two years, but in many cases it is about network extensions,” he specifies.
Hydro also pays for its suppliers’ problems.
“Our fitters are very busy, but those who erect the poles are subcontractors. And they lack manpower. There is also increased demand due to the economic boom,” he adds.
Mr. Berardino looks forward to the day Hydro finally connects his house to him.
“If I speak in the media, it’s because I don’t want other people to have to go through these things. We don’t leave people like that behind in a country like ours. Electricity is not a luxury, it is a necessity.”
“I don’t want to go to the moon. I just want to live a normal life, have company and cook dinner. »
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