Canadian Underwriter

Topic B.C.

The Coastal GasLink pipeline under construction.
News B.C.ClaimsCommercialConstructionInsurersLiability

Unexpected construction issues, rising labour costs increase pipeline cost to $14.5 billion

February 1, 2023 by Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY – The estimated cost of the Coastal GasLink pipeline has increased by 29 per cent to $14.5 billion, as the company behind the project continues to be dogged by unexpected construction issues and rising labour costs. Calgary-based TC Energy

Earthquake seismograph pattern
News B.C.CatastrophesClaimsEmerging RisksInsurersPersonal AutoPersonal HomeProperty

What a Canadian public earthquake backstop might look like

January 31, 2023 by David Gambrill

A federal government backstop designed to help private insurers cover high-risk flooding could be extended to protect Canadians from earthquake risk as well, Canada’s home, car and business insurers suggested in a release Tuesday. Meanwhile, in the absence of a

Looking to the future concept
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersCommercialHRInsurersManitobaNew BrunswickNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaOntarioOperationsP.E.I.QuebecSaskatchewan

What’s next for Wawanesa after senior executive shuffle?

January 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

As Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company changes its leadership structure with the appointment of three industry professionals to more senior leadership roles, industry veteran Carol Jardine — currently the insurer’s president of Canadian P&C operations — is also set to retire

News B.C.BrokersCatastrophesClaimsEnvironmentalInsurersLoss Control

Meteorologist explains why future NatCat claims won’t get any better

January 27, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

As the climate warms, even predictable weather patterns — like El Niño and La Niña, which are affected by rising sea temperatures — are changing alongside the climate, a weather expert warns.  And that could mean more frequent and severe

Looking at an earthquake early warning sensor app on a phone
News B.C.Emerging RisksPersonal HomeProperty

B.C. to install earthquake warning sensors to give life-saving notice

January 27, 2023 by The Canadian Press

VICTORIA – Up to 50 earthquake early warning sensors are being installed around British Columbia as part of a larger plan to protect people and infrastructure in a big quake. The sensors will be connected to the national Earthquake Early

Conference table close-up
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersHRInsurersManagementManitobaNew BrunswickNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaOntarioOperationsP.E.I.QuebecSaskatchewan

Wawanesa appoints two industry veterans to new leadership roles

January 26, 2023 by Jason Contant

Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company has changed the leadership structure of its Canadian operations with the appointment of industry professionals Anna McCrindell and Graham Haigh to senior vice president and chief operating officer roles. As SVP & COO – East, McCrindell

Fire alarm mounted on wall. In case of fire, pull
News B.C.ClaimsLegalPersonal HomeProperty

$500,000+ payment ordered for uninsured B.C. tenants

January 20, 2023 by Philip Porado

A 2017 apartment fire that a B.C. Supreme Court judge ruled was ‘foreseeable’ led to an order to pay more than $500,000 to the building-owner plaintiff. In his decision in Langara Gardens Holdings Ltd. v. Chen (2023 BCSC 58), B.C.

Traffic warning sign following landslide in British Columbia
News B.C.ClaimsPersonal Home

Landslides prompt B.C. city to declare state of emergency

January 20, 2023 by The Canadian Press

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. – The City of Campbell River, B.C., has declared a state of local emergency to help it better deal with landslides that have forced some people from their homes. The city says a temporary evacuation order has

Power lines in Ottawa knocked out by the May 22 derecho storm
News AlbertaB.C.CatastrophesClaimsEmerging RisksEnvironmentalInsurersLoss TrendsManitobaNew BrunswickNewfoundland & LabradorNova ScotiaNunavutNWTOntarioP.E.I.Personal AutoPersonal HomePropertyQuebecSaskatchewanYukon

Where 2022 tallies for insured damages in Canada

January 18, 2023 by Canadian Underwriter Staff

Severe weather events in 2022 gave Canada its third worst year for insured damage in the country’s history. Insured damage for severe weather events across Canada hit $3.1 billion last year, the third-highest total of NatCat losses in the nation’s

Nicolas Jimenez, ICBC president and CEO
News B.C.HRInsurers

Chief executive to leave public insurer in February

January 18, 2023 by Jason Contant

Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) president and CEO Nicolas Jiminez will be leaving his post on Feb. 3 to become president and CEO of BC Ferries, ICBC announced Tuesday. ICBC’s board of directors made the announcement in a press

Water damage in basement caused by sewer backflow
News B.C.ClaimsPersonal HomeProperty

Who’s responsible for 20 years of sewer backups?

January 16, 2023 by Jason Contant

British Columbia’s Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) has dismissed a condo unit owner’s request for $50,000 in punitive damages following sporadic sewer backups over a 20-year period. But the tribunal awarded the owner $3,000 for loss of enjoyment of his unit.

Sealing the M&A deal with a handshake
News AlbertaB.C.BrokersCommercialManagementMergers and Aqcuisitions

Industry veteran joins Westland following acquisition

January 13, 2023 by Jason Contant

Industry veteran Doug Morrow has joined Westland Insurance as its new vice president of commercial insurance for Alberta, the brokerage announced earlier this week. Most recently president and CEO of Excel Insurance Group, Morrow joined Westland as vice president, commercial