Employees, employers faced with increasingly sophisticated ransomware attacks often opt to pay
November 2, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe current approach to ransomware education is not sticking, with employees and employees alike opting to pay ransoms in record numbers because they do not have a firm grasp of what should be done when attacked, notes new research out…
Federal government orders railway company to complete repairs and resume service to Churchill, Man.
October 16, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe federal government has ordered rail company OmniTRAX Inc. to complete railway repairs and resume rail service within 30 days to Churchill, Man., several months after the only ground transportation to town was flooded. Natural Resources Canada said in a…
XL Catlin adds employment practices, cyber options to professional liability for architects, engineers
September 19, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterXL Catlin announced Monday that its employment practices liability (EPL) coverage, for Canadian architects and engineers, would include lawsuits filed by non-employees – such as suppliers and customers –while its cyber insurance could cover liability for breach of proprietary drawings,…
Massive growth earns insurance-related firms 14 spots on Canada’s Fastest-Growing Companies list
September 14, 2017 by Ian PortsmouthThe insurance industry might always look slow and staid to the casual observer, but this year’s PROFIT 500 list proves that exciting opportunities are just about everywhere in the economy — insurance included. Released today by CanadianBusiness.com, the 29th annual…
Emergency broadcast station being considered in New Brunswick following January ice storm
August 21, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterNew Brunswick’s primary electrical utility in the province, NB Power, and the province’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) said on Friday that they considering creating a dedicated emergency broadcast station to provide essential information to people in the province in times of crisis. The consideration is one of 51 recommendations contained in a provincial review of the Atlantic Canada storm in the winter of 2017, released on Friday. From Jan. 24-26, an ice storm hit central and eastern New Brunswick, from Miscou Island to Sackville. The intense low-pressure system resulted in…
Alberta government addressing flood resilience in Calgary
August 14, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe province of Alberta reported on Friday that it has begun implementing advice from a report that identifies ways to improve flood resilience in Calgary and better water management throughout the Bow River basin. The Advice to Government on Water…
U.S. Geological Survey scientists to track effects of historic Lake Ontario flooding
July 7, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterScientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced on Friday that they will be conducting field work to gather up-to-date information to help emergency managers track and respond to historic levels of flooding on Lake Ontario. The scientists will begin…
It will ‘take until the end of the year’ for Lake Ontario water level to drop to average level: Toronto city staff
July 4, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe water level of Lake Ontario at Toronto will not drop to its average level until the end of the year and frost this winter could “further exacerbate” infrastructure damage, though the exact cost of infrastructure damage has yet to…
Government of Alberta invests in debris dam to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure in Canmore
May 29, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Alberta announced on Friday that it is investing an additional $10.3 million to protect homes, businesses and infrastructure in Canmore. The money represents the final funding towards a $48.6-million debris dam at Cougar Creek and is part…
Alberta government provides $15M a year for FireSmart program, up from $3.8M last year
April 17, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Alberta has announced it is providing $15 million a year for its FireSmart program, up from $3.8 million last year, to help communities boost their wildfire protection activities. FireSmart uses preventative measures to reduce wildfire threat to…
Government of Alberta boosts Calgary’s flood resilience with $13.4 million investment
April 12, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Government of Alberta announced on Wednesday that it is investing about $13.4 million to help the City of Calgary boost its flood readiness. Six provincial grants are part of $63 million earmarked in Budget 2017 to help Alberta communities…
ICLR to host webinar on lot-level approaches to control urban flood risk and mitigate basement flooding
April 7, 2017 by Canadian UnderwriterThe Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR) will be hosting a webinar in two weeks on lot-level approaches to control urban flood risk and mitigate basement flooding. The webinar on April 21 at 10 a.m. Eastern time is part of…