Military help in Pikangikum First Nation being ‘drawn down’ as wildfire slows
June 5, 2019 THE CANADIAN PRESSPIKANGIKUM, Ont. – The Canadian Armed Forces says military help is being “drawn down” in a remote northwestern Ontario First Nation as a wildfire that triggered the evacuation of vulnerable residents slows its spread. Second Lt. Christopher Dube says in…
This little piggie caused a $24-million subrogated claim
April 16, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA $24.3-million lawsuit by an oil and gas company against a contractor over an accident that spilled 60 cubic metres of oil is one of Canada’s largest-ever subrogated claims, a lawyer for the plaintiff says. In ISH Energy Ltd v…
How this dry cleaner got sued over 50-year-old pollution
April 11, 2019 by Greg MeckbachAn Ottawa dry cleaner is liable for nearly $2 million in environmental clean-up costs resulting from spills that occurred at least 45 years ago, as a result of a Supreme Court of Canada ruling released Thursday. The top court’s ruling…
How Intact and Economical won this pollution coverage dispute
April 10, 2019 by Greg MeckbachA court ruling against Economical and Intact over pollution exclusions in commercial general liability policies has been reversed. As a result, the insurers do not have to defend a Vancouver area dry cleaner against a lawsuit filed by its neighbours…
This Supreme Court ruling could drive environmental insurance sales
March 19, 2019 by Greg MeckbachBrokers could see more demand for environmental liability insurance because of a recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling in favour of the Alberta Energy Regulator, a Toronto underwriter suggests. In Orphan Well Association v. Grant Thornton Ltd., the Supreme Court…
Why CBI insurance is on the rise in Canada
January 16, 2019 by Jason ContantContingent business interruption (CBI) insurance is on the rise in Canada, with an increase in both demand and higher limits, says the CEO and chief agent for Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) Canada. “This is one of the most…
McDougall merges with Barrie, Ontario brokerage
January 9, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMcDougall Insurance Brokers of Belleville, Ont. announced Tuesday it has merged with Barrie-based Dusome Insurance Brokers. The combined firm has 34 offices, including Kingston, Peterborough, Deep River, Pembroke, Orillia, Trenton, Cornwall and Oshawa. Dusome’s 11 employees will join McDougall as…
How costly is the fire peril for Canadian insurers?
December 13, 2018 by Jason ContantThe traditional fire peril continues to cost Canadian insurers, with fire/explosion accounting for almost a quarter (23%) of commercial claims by value, Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) said in its new Global Claims Review report, released Thursday. AGCS analyzed…
New Brunswick pulp and paper firm fined $3.5 million for pollution
November 6, 2018 THE CANADIAN PRESSSAINT JOHN, N.B. – Irving Pulp and Paper Ltd. has been hit with one of largest penalties ever imposed in Canada for an environmental violation. The company, based in Saint John, N.B., was fined $3.5 million Monday for dumping improperly…
Why clients need advice on ‘litigation hot spots’
October 21, 2018 by Greg MeckbachCommercial brokers advising Canadian clients with operations in foreign countries need to understand consumer protection and pollution laws in those countries. “It’s up to a broker to make sure that he or she is well versed in what those countries’…
Supreme Court to decide limits of pollution liability indemnification
October 18, 2018 by Greg MeckbachDoes a pollution liability indemnification agreement made in 1985 by a provincial government apply when the same government tries to force companies to pay environmental remediation costs 26 years later? Ontario judges disagree, so the question is now before the…
Hub subsidiary Totten buys MGA in Atlantic Canada
October 3, 2018 by Greg MeckbachAnderson McTague & Associates Ltd., a New Brunswick-based coverholder in the Lloyd’s market, has been acquired by Toronto-based Totten Insurance Group Inc., a subsidiary of Hub International Ltd. Totten Insurance is a managing general agency founded in 2002 by H.…