Topic Liability
Staff vaccine status discussions, disclosures pose challenges for businesses
June 17, 2021 by Danielle Edwards - THE CANADIAN PRESSHALIFAX – Cynthia Fernandez said her personal sense of responsibility for the safety of her clients led her to publicly disclose that her staff were vaccinated against COVID-19 earlier this spring. “I think a lot of people are nervous still…
An expert’s guess on how long the D&O hard market will last
June 16, 2021 by Adam MalikWhile things may not get any worse in the directors and officers (D&O) liability market, it’ll still be about another 18 months until things start to turn for the better, an expert in the area predicted. “I don’t see it…
Auditor scolds Alberta over mine cleanup fund, how province handles polluted sites
June 11, 2021 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – Alberta’s auditor general is criticizing the government for failing to fix problems pointed out six years ago in a program that’s supposed to guarantee coal and oilsands mines clean up after themselves. Doug Wylie says there’s so much…
Exploding device at gender reveal party leads to wildfire in northern Alberta
June 10, 2021 by The Canadian PressFORT MCMURRAY, Alta. – A $600 fine has been issued after a gender reveal party led to a wildfire in Alberta. Travis Fairweather, a wildfire information officer, says the party was taking place about 10 kilometres west of Fort McMurray…
Tips on securing D&O coverage in a pandemic
June 7, 2021 by Adam MalikMired in a hard market, brokers need to give twice the typical amount of lead time these days when contacting underwriters to secure directors and officers (D&O) coverage for clients, according to a broker expert. The D&O market will remain…
How video conferencing misbehaviour creates commercial liability risk
June 1, 2021 by Greg MeckbachInappropriate behaviour during video conferences can lead to employment practices liability claims, an expert with The Travelers Companies Inc. warns. New York City-based Travelers is observing “Zoom etiquette claims,” said the insurer’s employment practices liability product manager, Chris Williams, during…
Abandoned oil and gas wells will be cleaned up despite backlog: Alberta regulator
May 31, 2021 by Bob Weber - THE CANADIAN PRESSEDMONTON – There’s lots of life in Alberta’s conventional oil industry and plenty of resources and political will to clean up the mess it leaves behind, says the head of the province’s energy regulator. “Will there be halcyon-days growth in…
What B.C. trial lawyers are asking of Canada’s top court in RSA dispute
May 25, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia is asking Canada’s top court to essentially make a “new law” barring a liability insurer from taking an off-coverage position after starting to defend a tort claim if the insurer previously had “presumed…
What’s needed to alleviate municipal insurance pressure
May 25, 2021 by Adam MalikMunicipal insurance rates have been rising significantly and the only way to bring them down isn’t only in the hands of the insurance industry, according to a brokerage leader. It’ll take a team effort from multiple parties. Canadian municipalities have…
Ontario court rules deadly shootdown of Flight 752 in Iran was act of terrorism
May 21, 2021 by Paola Loriggio - THE CANADIAN PRESSTORONTO – An Ontario court has ruled that the Iranian military’s downing of a passenger jet early last year was an intentional act of terrorism, paving the way for relatives of those killed to seek compensation from the country. In…
Pollution coverage gaps your clients may not know about
May 21, 2021 by Greg MeckbachThe cost of cleaning up after spills of petroleum, oil, or other contaminants may not be covered under your client’s liability or property policy, a managing general agent warns. Many clients are exposed to pollution risk but are not necessarily…
Study finds abandoned oil and gas wells place unfair burden on landowners, taxpayers
May 20, 2021 by The Canadian PressCALGARY – The costs of Alberta’s growing stock of abandoned and inactive oil and gas wells are falling unfairly on landowners and taxpayers, says a report from the University of Calgary. “Landowners have been left behind,” said Braeden Larson of…