November/December 2021
CAT
Volume 15 • Issue 6
TALES
e-newsletter of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Inside this issue Disasters are a permanent part of the Canadian fabric. We can’t keep winging it. 2 These B.C. storms are not the new normal. We can’t even see that from here 4 ICLR intervenes in B.C. Utilities Commission smart meter proceeding 5
ICLR Board of Directors Carol Jardine (Chair) • Wawanesa Ken Coley • Western Debbie Coull-Cicchini • Intact Matt Davison • Western Olivier Gay • SCOR Phil Gibson • Aviva Paul Kovacs • ICLR Claus Kroll • Munich Re Canada Monica Ningen • Swiss Re Andy Taylor • Gore Mutual John Taylor • OMIA Dan Shrubsole • Western Rob Wesseling • Co-operators
ICLR releases new five year strategic plan
ICLR has released its strategic plan for the period 2022 to 2026. The Plan will build on the Institute’s foundation of science, knowledge and experience but will also see ICLR aggressively work to encourage decision makers to implement actions to enhance disaster resilience. This marks a bold new change in direction for the Institute. The new plan outlines four priorities for ICLR over the next five years. These are: • Be Canada’s leading provider of disaster research and loss reduction advice. • Advocate for construction resilient to damage from severe weather and climate change. • Empower risk reduction by communities and building owners. • Champion building back better following a major loss. ICLR will press to include our understanding of the science in practices adopted by communities, homebuilders, the construction industry, governments and those responsible for building codes and standards. We will collaborate with home builders in pilot studies to test the real world application of ICLR’s findings.
We will advance our findings about how to prevent inflow and infiltration of stormwater into sanitary sewers, one of the leading factors contributing to basement flood damage. ICLR will help develop a national standard to reduce severe wind and tornado damage risk in new homes and implement the national guide for wildfire resistant home construction. The Institute will also press existing homeowners and businesses to retrofit their buildings and encourage governments to introduce regulations and incentives to strengthen resilience. >