Topic Environmental
Spring storm knocks out power to tens of thousands across Quebec, Ontario
April 4, 2024 by The Canadian PressA spring storm across Quebec and Ontario on Thursday knocked out power to tens of thousands of customers, closed schools and blanketed the Montreal area with heavy, wet snow. In Quebec, more than 220,000 homes and businesses had no electricity…
What’s new in restoration and adjuster national licensing?
April 4, 2024 by Jason ContantThe trend of insurers owning restoration firms and third-party vendors may not continue, particularly since controlling costs remains a priority for carriers, sources tell Canadian Underwriter. It also looks like a national adjusting licensing standard or cross-provincial licensing will not…
Police investigate multi-tractor crash as carbon-levy protests continue in Alberta
April 3, 2024 by The Canadian PressMounties in Alberta say they’re keeping traffic moving on the Trans-Canada Highway despite a roadside carbon-levy protest, and say five large farm tractors have already caused a multi-vehicle crash. Protesters slowed traffic on the Trans-Canada just west of Calgary on…
Driven by wildfire smoke, Canada’s air quality worse than U.S. in 2023
March 25, 2024 by Jordan Omstead – The Canadian PressCanada’s air pollution levels last year were worse than those in the United States for the first time since an air-quality firm started publishing its assessments in 2018. The sixth World Air Quality report published Tuesday by Swiss firm IQAir…
B.C.’s plan for flood mapping and building back better
March 22, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoA new report by the Government of British Columbia details its commitment to developing a provincially coordinated floodplain mapping program, and sheds light on how and where it intends to rebuild communities after a flood. More specifically, the report, From…
Time to protect Canadians from ‘forever chemicals,’ experts say
March 22, 2024 by Mia Rabson – The Canadian PressOTTAWA – Nearly a year after Health Canada issued a draft recommendation to designate an entire class of chemicals as toxic, environmental experts say it’s time to actually do something about it. There are now more than 10,000 variations of…
Alberta town outlines plan ahead of fire season
March 21, 2024 by John Watson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Strathmore Times – The Canadian PressThe Town of Strathmore recently finalized its hazard reduction burn plan, which aims to reduce the risk of grass and wildfires in the local region. According to the town, the plan aims to assess grassland fuels on the landscape within…
Three necessities for Canada’s national flood insurance program
March 21, 2024 by Jason ContantCanada’s upcoming national flood insurance program needs to specify exclusions, phase in risk-based premiums, and provide incentives for flood resilience measures, the Canadian Climate Institute (CCI) says in a recent blog. A low-cost flood insurance program should drive safer decisions…
How Canada’s winter weather predicts 2024 Cat claims
March 21, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoThis winter clocked in as Canada’s warmest winter ever, and adjusters are already sounding the alarm that a winter with no or little snow could mean more wildfire claims over the rest of the year. Snowpack in winter is one…
Active spring wildfire season may be in store for B.C. as drought persists
March 19, 2024 by Ashley Joannou – The Canadian PressBritish Columbia needs a drenching of rain to alleviate the tinder dry conditions that have forecasters worried about the potential for another difficult wildfire season. Cliff Chapman, director of operations for the BC Wildfire Service, said parts of the province…
B.C. bridge vulnerable during heavy rain events, mayor says
March 18, 2024 by Roisin Cullen, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Pique Newsmagazine – The Canadian PressPemberton’s recent heavy flooding highlights the challenges the area faces, according to Mayor Mike Richman. The Village of Pemberton (VOP) declared a state of local emergency on Jan. 30 due to flooding, and many locals were displaced from their homes…
How winter storms tally this year compared to last
March 15, 2024 by Alyssa DiSabatinoMaritimers were digging out for days after historic levels of snowfall dropped atop Nova Scotia and P.E.I. in early February. The multi-day storm produced nearly 5 feet of snow in Cape Breton, N.S. Then about two weeks later, Nova Scotians…