The quiet Sechelt neighborhood of Seawatch sits empty today, a ghost town of abandoned dream homes where families once built their lives. Five years after residents were forced to flee when sinkholes threatened to swallow their properties, these homeowners find themselves trapped in a nightmare of bureaucratic limbo and financial ruin.
“We’ve lost everything – our homes, our community, our retirement savings,” says Rod Goy, whose family was among the 14 households evacuated under emergency orders in February 2019. “And still, nobody will take responsibility.”
The story of Seawatch represents one of British Columbia’s most troubling examples of disaster response gaps. When the ground began opening beneath their feet, residents expected some form of government assistance. Instead, they’ve encountered years of jurisdictional finger-pointing while their property values evaporated.
The District of Sechelt issued the evacuation order after geotechnical assessments revealed catastrophic risks. Engineers determined the entire neighborhood was built on unstable ground that could collapse without warning. Residents had mere hours to gather belongings before being barred from returning to homes many had poured their life savings into.
“I had 45 minutes to decide what to take from a lifetime of memories,” remembers Janet Lilley, a retired teacher who purchased her Seawatch home in 2012. “Nobody tells you how to prepare for something like this.”
What makes the Seawatch situation particularly devastating is that these homeowners have fallen through every possible safety net. Insurance companies denied coverage, citing “earth movement” exclusions. The developer, Concordia Seawatch Ltd., declared bankruptcy. Municipal, provincial and federal governments have each suggested the disaster falls outside their responsibility.
According to records obtained through Freedom of Information requests, engineering reports warned about potential instability in the area as early as 2006. Yet development proceeded, with homes selling for upwards of $1 million. The subdivisions received all necessary permits and passed inspections.
“Someone approved this development. Someone issued building permits. Someone collected property taxes from us for years,” says Ed Pednaud, spokesperson for the Seawatch Homeowners Association. “But suddenly, when the ground gives way, nobody has any obligation to help us.”
Provincial Emergency Management BC initially provided temporary assistance with accommodation costs for 90 days following the evacuation, standard procedure for disaster displacement. But long-term solutions never materialized, leaving families paying mortgages on homes they cannot access while also covering rental costs elsewhere.
The financial toll has been devastating. Most homeowners still carry significant mortgage debt on properties now valued at zero. Many have exhausted retirement savings, while others face bankruptcy. The collective loss exceeds $30 million when property values and ongoing costs are tallied.
“We have seniors who worked their entire lives to own these homes outright, now living in basement suites and depleting their savings,” Pednaud explains. “These aren’t wealthy speculators – they’re teachers, nurses, and tradespeople who played by the rules.”
Legal avenues have proven equally frustrating. A class-action lawsuit filed against multiple parties including the District of Sechelt, the Province of BC, and developers remains mired in preliminary proceedings four years later, with no resolution in sight.
The Seawatch case highlights critical gaps in Canada’s disaster response framework. While natural disasters like floods and wildfires typically trigger disaster financial assistance programs, situations involving slow-moving geological hazards often fall into regulatory blind spots.
“This is a man-made disaster,” argues Green Party MLA Adam Olsen, who has advocated for the homeowners. “When governments approve development on land they know might be problematic, then wash their hands of responsibility when problems arise, it undermines public trust in our entire system.”
Meanwhile, the empty homes slowly deteriorate. Recent drone footage shows severe structural damage to several properties as the land continues to shift. Security fencing surrounds the neighborhood, warning signs posted at regular intervals. The once-vibrant community feels like an abandoned movie set.
Last month, a delegation of homeowners presented their case to a legislative committee in Victoria, requesting the province establish a disaster relief fund similar to programs created after major floods. Their proposal seeks compensation at 80% of assessed 2018 property values – not full replacement cost, but enough to help families restart their lives.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Goy emphasizes. “We just want the same consideration given to other disaster victims. Nobody should lose everything because they trusted government approvals.”
As climate change accelerates geological instability in many coastal areas, the Seawatch situation may be a harbinger of challenges to come. Urban planning experts suggest comprehensive review of development policies in geologically sensitive areas and clearer accountability frameworks when approved developments fail.
For now, the Seawatch homeowners continue their fight, though many admit the years of stress have taken a heavy toll. Some have relocated to other provinces, unable to face the constant reminders of their loss. Others, particularly older residents, worry they’ll never recover financially.
“I’m 73,” says former resident Margaret Wilson. “I don’t have time to start over. The home I can’t live in was supposed to see me through my final years.”
As another winter approaches, the abandoned homes of Seawatch stand as a somber reminder of what happens when disaster strikes and no one takes responsibility. For fourteen families, the question remains: how long must they wait for justice?
