Topic Environmental
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…
Oilsands emissions could be underestimated by current measuring methods, study says
April 24, 2023 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSNew federal research suggests greenhouse gas emissions from the Alberta oilsands may be significantly underestimated, adding to a growing pile of studies that say our understanding of what is going into the atmosphere is incomplete. In a paper published last…
Alberta oilsands wastewater seepage cleanup to be complete by end of May
April 20, 2023 by Amanda Stephenson - THE CANADIAN PRESSCALGARY – Imperial Oil Ltd. said its cleanup efforts following recent high-profile wastewater releases from its Kearl oilsands site will be complete next month. Executives with the Calgary-based company said at an annual investor day event Wednesday that cleanup from…
Water levels reach flood stage in New Brunswick
April 19, 2023 by The Canadian PressRising water levels from melting snow and warmer temperatures are starting to affect roads in parts of New Brunswick. New Brunswick’s River Watch officials say water levels in the lower Saint John River have reached flood stage, and they are…
How the P&C industry can avoid another record year for NatCat damages
April 18, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatinoIf Canadian insurers want to avoid another year of more than $3.1 billion in insured damages, age-old quandaries such as the national flood program, land use policies, and building codes need to be revisited, said panellists at Swiss Re’s 37th…
Spring flooding: Montrealers warned to pack emergency kits as water levels rise
April 17, 2023 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – Rain is in the forecast this week across Quebec and officials are monitoring lakes and rivers at risk of flooding. Martin Guilbault with Montreal’s fire department says the city is on alert as the risk of flooding is…
How recent extreme weather compares to 1998 Quebec ice storm
April 12, 2023 by Jason ContantThe storm that struck Ontario and Quebec — leaving some Quebecers without power for more than a week — was large, but it was nothing compared to the infamous 1998 Quebec ice storm, industry professionals said. Catastrophe Indices and Quantification…
Thousands without power as Ontario hit with thunderstorms, heavy rains and snow
April 5, 2023 by The Canadian PressThousands of people in Ontario are without power after a messy mix of freezing rain and thunderstorms pummeled parts of the province, with downpours and possible ice storms still in the forecast. Hydro One says crews are responding as an…
What Canada’s national flood insurance program could look like
March 31, 2023 by Jason ContantCanada’s upcoming national flood insurance program will likely take characteristics from flood models in both France and Britain, Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) CEO Peter Braid told Canadian Underwriter in an interview. In its 2023 budget, the federal government…
ESG reporting expectations on suppliers growing, report says
March 31, 2023 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – A new report finds that small and medium suppliers face growing expectations from their larger customers to report on environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards. The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) survey of 121 large companies and…