A preventable condo crisis?

New documents shows the government may have been aware of the potential for a leaky condo crisis as far back as ten years ago.

Before retiring in 1988, James Currie was the director of B.C.'s Building Standards Branch.

After writing letters to both the provincial and federal governments warning of potential problems, Currie is frustrated nothing has been done to fix the problem. He says he doesn't see the situation getting any better.

Currie says, "I don't think the will do anything. I think they will dig their heels in. I think they've already dug their pit. I think they're in it, and, I don't think, I, I think right now it's a political issue, and it's politically unpalatable to accept that they've made a mistake."

After retiring, Currie wrote letters to two Municipal Affairs Ministers -- Robin Blencoe and Jenny Kwan -- warning of the potential for disaster. No action was taken by either minister.

Moe Sihota says the province has stepped up to the plate for homeowners. Sihota is the minister responsible for housing in B.C.

He says, "Let's not overlook the operative point here. The provincial government has recognized that it has some responsiblity, and that's why it's put money on the table to assist people that are affected. The federal government hasn't and to the degree that Mr. Currie's letter points to the federal government, it would seem to me that it would place more pressure on them to take the appropriate action and provide some compensation for these people."

Sihota says that any information about leaky condos should be presented to the Barrett Commission for examination.

But former NDP premier Dave Barrett has thrown cold water on critics who blame poor building codes for B.C.'s leaky-condo crisis.

Barrett's heading the second inquiry into the problem of waterlogged townhomes and condos.

He says there is nothing in the building code that prevents a builder from constructing a home that doesn't leak.