The Ontario government has released its first-ever Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan – a move that has seen strong support from the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
According to information on the Ontario government’s website, the new Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan “sets a foundation for emergency management in Ontario, informed by emergency events across the province.” It does this while placing the most vulnerable members of Ontario’s community – Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, seniors, racialized communities, and those living in poverty – at the centre of emergency planning, preparedness, and mitigation.
Under the plan, Ontario will have “one window” to serve as the authority for all emergency management to streamline response and mitigation capabilities. The province will also take a more proactive planning and monitoring approach to identify risks to inform short and long-term planning. In addition, Ontario has promised to offer “strengthened emergency management training and public education.”
IBC released a statement shortly following Ontario’s release of the new plan.
“On behalf of Canada's property and casualty insurers, I congratulate the Government of Ontario on this important announcement to strengthen public safety in Ontario,” said IBC Ontario vice president Kim Donaldson. “Through this new Emergency Strategy and Action Plan, communities across the province will be better prepared for future emergencies, including cyber security threats, pandemics and natural disasters.”
Donaldson also mentioned that the IBC is “especially pleased” that the Ontario government is committed to creating new initiatives on hazard and risk monitoring/assessment, improving municipal emergency management training, developing local and provincial emergency management exercises and enhancing public education around emergency preparedness.
“Over the past 15 years, insurance claims from severe weather and natural disasters have more than quadrupled. In today's world of extreme weather events, the new normal for yearly-insured catastrophic losses in Canada has become significant,” the vice president explained, adding that in 2022 alone, insured damage for severe weather (based on CatIQ data) reached $3.1 billion – the third worst year on record.
Ontario also bore a significant part of the catastrophe loss last year, Donaldson pointed out. Preliminary data showed that in 2022, saw insured damage for severe weather jump to $1.2 billion.
“Our industry remains committed to remaining a steadfast partner in making Ontario communities safer and stronger during natural disasters and other future emergencies,” the vice president said.
Ontario’s Emergency Management Strategy and Action Plan align with the key goals outlined by IBC president and CEO Celyeste Power as she took leadership of the group earlier this year. Specifically, Power said in a recent release that she wants the IBC to continue to advocate the urgent need to adapt to a changing climate, and to help governments realize their role in encouraging businesses to improve their cybersecurity.
