Volkswagen hires compensation expert Kenneth Feinberg to handle emissions cheating claims
December 17, 2015 Tom Krisher - THE ASSOCIATED PRESSDETROIT – Volkswagen has hired Washington lawyer Kenneth Feinberg to figure out a way to compensate owners of diesel-powered cars that the company rigged to cheat on emissions tests. Feinberg is among the nation’s top compensation experts and has been…
Government of Canada pledges $35 million to combat short-lived climate pollutants
December 9, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe government of Canada announced on Tuesday that it is contributing $35 million to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). The announcement was made at the High Level Assembly for the Climate and Clean Air Coalition at the United Nations’ 21st…
“Smart” cities will use 1.6 billion connected things in 2016: Gartner
December 7, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThere will be an estimated 1.6 billion connected things in use by “smart” cities in 2016, an increase of 39% from 2015, according to a new report from Gartner, Inc., an information technology research and advisory company based in Stamford,…
Ontario government has ‘no plan or fund in place’ to clean up 288 polluted sites: Auditor General
December 3, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Ontario government has an estimated liability of nearly $1.8 billion for cleaning up sites affected by hazardous waste or pollution, but there is no plan or fund in place for cleaning up those contaminated sites, Auditor General Bonnie Lysyk…
Aviva Canada announces grand prize winners of Aviva Community Fund competition
December 2, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterAviva Canada has announced the 15 grand prize winners of the $1 million Aviva Community Fund (ACF). Aviva Canada, a provider of home, auto, leisure/lifestyle and business insurance, announced the winners of Wednesday, one month after naming the 30 finalists.…
B.C. government freezes carbon tax until 2018 to allow other Canadian jurisdictions to “catch up”
December 1, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterThe government of British Columbia announced on Friday that it has frozen its current $30 per tonne carbon tax until 2018 to allow other jurisdictions in Canada to catch up to the province. The response is related to the province’s…
Back to Business
December 1, 2015 Matt Johnson, President, Commercial Loss Experts, and Board Director, Disaster Recovery Information Exchange (Toronto)Protecting property can equate to protecting one’s business. But to make that objective a reality, a comprehensive and well-conceived business continuity plan should be in place. Planning for the worst-case scenario can help a business minimize business interruption.
Utility companies voice cautious support for Alberta climate change plans
November 30, 2015 The Canadian PressCALGARY – Members of Alberta’s utility sector are voicing their support for the NDP government’s climate change plans, including phasing out coal power by 2030. Representatives from Atco Power, Altalink and the renewable energy sector were on hand Monday as…
Expanding the Pollution Exclusion
November 30, 2015 Michael S. Teitelbaum, partner; and Yulia Pesin, associate, Hughes Amys LLPA recent court case may broaden the application of the pollution exclusion in commercial liability coverage.
Ontario looks to reduce effects of climate change by banning coal-fired electricity generation
November 24, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterOntario took the North American lead Monday by passing legislation to permanently ban coal-fired electricity generation, a move the provincial government calls as a significant step in the fight against climate change. The landmark law – Ending Coal for Cleaner…
Alberta to phase out pollution created by burning coal by 2030
November 23, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterAlberta will phase out all pollution created by burning coal and transition to more renewable energy and natural gas generation by 2030, according to the province’s Climate Leadership Plan, announced on Sunday. The report states that two-thirds of coal-generated electricity…
Hookah pipes to be prohibited in Toronto licensed establishments amid health concerns
November 4, 2015 by Canadian UnderwriterConcerns about the health effects of hookahs, or waterpipes, prompted Toronto City Council this week to ban such devices, from establishments requiring a municipal licence, effective next April. “Hookah smoking is found to be associated with a number of short…