Topic Environmental
National disaster report highlights industry loss potential
May 12, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoA major earthquake in British Columbia or the Ontario-Quebec region could become the costliest natural disasters Canada has seen, a new government of Canada report warns. Of pertinence to the industry, as insured damages for a severe earthquake could broach…
Alberta regulator says Imperial Oil faces more water problems at oilsands mine
May 12, 2023 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSThe Alberta Energy Regulator has warned Imperial Oil about more wastewater problems at its Kearl oilsands mine in northern Alberta. The regulator has issued a notice of non-compliance to the company after chemicals associated with oilsands tailings were found at…
Military help on the way to battle ‘unprecedented’ Alberta wildfires, Bill Blair says
May 11, 2023 by Bill Graveland - THE CANADIAN PRESSFederal Emergency Preparedness Minister Bill Blair says Canadian Forces personnel are being deployed to help with an “unprecedented” wildfire situation in Alberta. Alberta has declared a state of emergency. There were 82 active wildfires as of Thursday morning, with 23…
Fire danger continues to be ‘extreme’ in most parts of province: Alberta government
May 10, 2023 by The Canadian PressThe Alberta government says fire danger continues to be extreme in most of the province except the Rockies, where lower danger levels were expected. Some areas have experienced cooler temperatures and some rain, but the government says a return to…
High temperatures in B.C. pose threat of new wildfires
May 9, 2023 by The Canadian PressRain and cooler temperatures in northeastern British Columbia will help suppression efforts for two out-of-control wildfires, but high temperatures forecast for later this week may pose a new threat, says a BC Wildfire Service spokesman. Cliff Chapman, the director of…
Waters recede in parts of flood-ravaged B.C. as half of province remains under threat
May 8, 2023 by The Canadian PressCACHE CREEK, B.C. – Much of British Columbia’s Interior continued to be under the threat of flooding triggered by rain and warm weather Sunday, but water levels appeared to be receding at one of the hardest hit communities. Even…
What claims may come from the Alberta wildfires
May 8, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoWhile it’s too early to estimate losses, Canada’s P&C industry is anticipating incoming property damage claims due to Alberta wildfires and insurers may have already begun to see claims from non-physical aspects of the policies, experts tell Canadian Underwriter. As…
Communities along Ottawa River declare emergency over flood
May 4, 2023 by The Canadian PressCommunities in eastern Ontario have declared states of emergency over flood risks as water levels are expected to peak today on the Ottawa River. Whitewater Region Mayor Neil Nicholson says water is backed up along most of the township’s riverbanks…
Aviva reveals Number 1 risk facing Canadian businesses
May 3, 2023 by Jason ContantEconomic uncertainty remains the Number 1 risk facing Canadian businesses, according to Aviva Canada’s second annual Risk Insights Report. Based on a survey of nearly 1,500 Canadian business leaders, the report found one in three businesses stated they were “very…
How many Canadian properties are at high risk of wildfire?
May 2, 2023 by Jason ContantApproximately 300,000 properties across Canada are at a high wildfire risk, with another million carrying a minor risk of being impacted by wildfires during the typical mortgage term, according to Vancouver-based software and data analytics company Minerva Intelligence Inc. Minerva…
Residents of Quebec town still struggle with aftermath of 2019 flooding
May 1, 2023 by Morgan Lowrie - THE CANADIAN PRESSSAINTE-MARTHE-SUR-LE-LAC, Que. – Sylvie Bechard had only owned her little brick house for six months when her neighbour came banging on her door on the night of April 27, 2019. The dike holding back the Lake of Two Mountains had…
Hot spell hikes risks of flooding, avalanches and fire across British Columbia
April 27, 2023 by The Canadian PressVANCOUVER – As British Columbia heads into its first warm spell of the year, forecasters are warning the heat could raise avalanche and flood risks, while the danger of wildfires has already nudged up to a “moderate” rating in some…