Topic B.C.
B.C. budget includes $2.1B in disaster relief
February 23, 2022 by Dirk Meissner - THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – British Columbia has earmarked $2.1 billion to fund disaster recovery efforts and future response to the threats posed by wildfires, floods and heat waves in a budget that forecasts a $5.5-billion deficit. Finance Minister Selina Robinson said Tuesday…
Cat trends: How 2021 deviated from the norm
February 22, 2022 by Jason ContantLast year saw a shift from “normal” catastrophic losses by quarter and even geographical location, data from Catastrophe Indices and Quantification Inc. (CatIQ) show. Both the third and fourth quarters of 2021 had “well above average” average catastrophes in terms…
Politicians condemn violence at Coastal GasLink construction site in northern B.C.
February 22, 2022 by Hina Alam - THE CANADIAN PRESSPoliticians are denouncing what police have called a violent confrontation in separate attacks against officers and employees at a construction site for a natural gas pipeline being built across northern British Columbia. Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino called the…
Large brokerage makes fourth acquisition in 2022
February 18, 2022 by Jason ContantNavacord Corp. is expanding its reach in northern Alberta with the addition of Stone Insurance Brokers. Based in Manning, Alta., Stone Insurance Brokers services clients across northern Alberta and British Columbia, specializing in forestry, farming, transportation and oil and gas. …
Study suggests climate change made B.C. floods at least twice as likely
February 16, 2022 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSCatastrophic floods that swamped much of southern British Columbia last fall were at least twice as likely because of climate change, suggests new research from Environment Canada. The study, now undergoing peer review, concludes that the likelihood of similar events…
Wildfire destroys Lytton’s governance records; B.C. gives OK to rewrite bylaws
February 10, 2022 by Dirk Meissner - THE CANADIAN PRESSVICTORIA – The mayor of the fire-ravaged community of Lytton, B.C., says rewriting the village’s bylaws from scratch will be about as entertaining as going to the dentist but it’s another step in the massive rebuilding effort. The village’s records…
Wildfire costs show need for preventative measures
February 9, 2022 by Greg MeckbachNatCat costs from summer 2021’s B.C. wildfires reached $77 million in insured damage in White Rock Lake and $78 million in Lytton. With renovations adding value to homes, and by extension insurable damage risk, it may make sense to encourage…
Governments announce $228 million agriculture recovery fund after B.C. floods
February 8, 2022 by The Canadian PressVICTORIA – Agricultural producers affected by devastating flooding in British Columbia last November can apply for recovery funds through a $228-million package announced Monday by the provincial and federal governments. The total losses for the agricultural sector from flooding that…
Indigenous non-profit looks to acquire ownership of Trans Mountain Pipeline
January 24, 2022 by Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – A new Indigenous non-profit organization is seeking an ownership stake in the Trans Mountain Pipeline, saying its aim is to make sure communities along the pipeline’s route receive its benefits directly. Nesika Services publicly launched Monday, calling itself…
Utility says B.C.’s heat, rain and cold in 2021 underscore changing demand for power
January 21, 2022 by Jason ContantVANCOUVER – British Columbia endured sizzling summer heat and bone-numbing cold to end 2021 and the province’s electrical utility says the result was a record-breaking, year-round demand for power, launching a trend that’s not expected to end soon. In a…
Behind the hard-hit condo insurance market in B.C. and Alberta
January 20, 2022 by Jason ContantWood frame construction for stratas, increased building material costs, and earthquake exposure in British Columbia contributed to the skyrocketing condo insurance premiums that hard market sector saw over the past few years, an Aon executive says. “There’s a lot more…
The case for tracking your risk advice
January 19, 2022 by David GambrillThe City of Revelstoke, B.C., has been found 35% contributorily negligent for not adhering to a recommendation contained in a 2011 risk management audit, which advised to maintain painted ‘No diving’ signs on a raft in Williamson Lake Park. “The…