Topic Quebec
Rainfall inadequate to douse northern Quebec wildfires
June 14, 2023 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – Quebec officials say the rainfall over the past 24 hours in the northern part of the province was inadequate to douse the wildfires. The province’s forest fire prevention agency – SOPFEU – says a wildfire near Lebel-sur-Quevillon, Que.,…
Westland appoints industry veteran to new VP role
June 9, 2023 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance has appointed senior industry executive Robert Beauchamp as its new vice president of Quebec operations. Beauchamp will spearhead operations and drive growth in Quebec, the brokerage said in a press release. “This appointment marks Westland’s commitment to expanding…
More evacuations in Quebec as record breaking fires continue to burn
June 8, 2023 by Sidhartha Banerjee and Jacob SerebrinMONTREAL — Quebec’s wildfire season, which has forced thousands from their homes and left other communities on high alert, is the worst on record, officials said Wednesday. Premier Francois Legault told reporters in Quebec City that the areas in the…
Quebec city declares state of emergency as forest fires multiply
June 2, 2023 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – A city on Quebec’s north shore has declared a state of emergency as forest fires rage in the vicinity. Sept-Iles Mayor Steeve Beaupre says certain sectors of the city have been ordered to evacuate by 4 p.m. today…
‘Immense sorrow:’ Major fire at Montreal heritage building that once housed monastery
May 26, 2023 by Sidhartha Banerjee - THE CANADIAN PRESSMONTREAL – A major fire at a Montreal heritage building was still not under control Friday and authorities were not able to provide a firm timeline of how long it would take to extinguish the blaze. The fire broke out…
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…
Search continues for two missing firefighters swept away during spring floods
May 2, 2023 by The Canadian PressBAIE-SAINT-PAUL, Que. – The search continued Tuesday for two Quebec firefighters swept away in floodwaters northeast of Quebec City, as heavy rains washed out roads and cut off homes in several regions across the province. Specialized aerial and ground rescue…
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…
Insurer successfully defends city’s appeal over fire response times
April 28, 2023 by David GambrillCanada’s top court Thursday refused to hear an appeal in a case in which a Quebec municipality was found 25% liable for a fire that destroyed a commercial building when not enough firefighters were present after 10 minutes to fight…
Thousands of Quebecers lose power after generating station interruption
April 25, 2023 by The Canadian PressMONTREAL – Quebec’s electric utility says thousands are without power in the province after a problem at the Churchill Falls generating station in Labrador. A Hydro-Quebec spokesman says the station experienced a sudden interruption today, which triggered protection mechanisms that…
Insurer successfully defends flood exclusion in water damage endorsement
April 21, 2023 by David GambrillA Quebec home insurer successfully defended a flood exclusion to its policy’s water damage endorsement, on the basis that the insurer would not cover water damage that “occurs when a flood reaches the surface of the ground on the premises.”…
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…