New investments are critical to addressing increased levels of risk in communities in Canada and across the globe
Yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney, together with G7 leaders and key international partners, announced the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter – a commitment to a coordinated global approach that acknowledges record-breaking wildfires fueled by climate change have endangered and destroyed communities, impacted health, and cost taxpayers billions of dollars annually. Following the announcement, Craig Stewart, Vice-President, Climate Change and Federal Issues, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), issued the following statement:
“IBC commends the Government of Canada’s leadership, as the Chair of the G7, in placing the rising threat of wildfires to Canadians and our partner countries firmly on the agenda. The Kananaskis Wildfire Charter is critical at a time when wildfires and wildfire smoke have already forced the evacuation of at least 30,000 people in Canada this year alone, with smoke reaching as far as continental Europe. As wildfire risk increases across Canada and the world due to climate change, a coordinated global approach and investment are critical to protecting families and their homes from the devastating impact of wildfires.
“In particular, we applaud Canada and the Charter’s signatories for their commitments to adopting a whole-of-society approach to prevent and mitigate wildfires, and to leveraging research, tools, and technology that forecast, identify and monitor wildfires. Additionally, a focus on recovery and rebuilding with wildfire-resilient infrastructure is key to getting Canadians back into their homes more quickly after an evacuation.
“In recent years, we have seen a record-breaking number of Canadian properties and forests destroyed by wildfires, and we’re witnessing this across continents at an accelerated pace. Between 2003 and 2014, Canada experienced an average of $84 million annually in insured wildfire losses. Since 2014, that number has increased a staggering 740% to $706 million annually.
“Amid calls for action, the solution is clear: Canada must continue to invest in wildfire preparedness. We must properly invest in collecting the data required for evidence-based decision-making and ensuring that community-level infrastructure and building materials make our homes, businesses, and communities more resilient to severe weather and wildfires. Now is the moment to take an approach to emergency management that ensures we learn from past disasters and our communities can rebuild and recover much faster. The toll these wildfires are taking on Canadians cannot be overlooked. Behind the insured loss numbers are families coping with immense heartache and devastation.
“That is why, as a country, all orders of government must prioritize measures that protect Canadian communities, including:
Not building homes in high-risk wildfire zones
Updating building codes and ensuring all new construction is designed with resilience in mind (e.g., mandating resilient roofing and siding materials)
Incentivizing homeowners and business owners to make homes and businesses more resilient (e.g., introducing rebates and retrofit programs)
Prioritizing nature-based solutions for fire prevention, such as controlled burns, fire-smart forestry, indigenous fire stewardship, and agricultural practices like green firebreaks and targeted grazing.
“The path forward is clear, and we know what works. With significantly heightened wildfire risk, Canadians need governments and the private sector to collaborate on solutions to protect them from severe weather disasters.”
