Climate Change, Floods, and Municipal Risk Sharing in Canada /

The demand for such policy was heightened in the aftermath of the 2013 Alberta floods, in which the hazard-based approach had contributed to higher losses because residential and commercial development had been permitted in the floodplain, despite the higher risk (Gollom 2013; Groeneveld 2006). [...] Risk sharing refers to the distribution to other parties of some of the burden of loss associated with flood risk and/or the responsibility and costs for measures to avoid, prevent, and mitigate flood risk (World Meteorological Organization 2013, 12). [...] One of the panel’s key recommendations was the creation of a permanent “team” within the City to monitor flood management and establish a link with provincial officials in charge of mitigation and loss reduction – 14 – Climate Change, Floods, and Municipal Risk Sharing in Canada (Expert Management Panel on River Flood Mitigation 2014). [...] In Toronto, stakeholder engagement on overland flood risk is largely the responsibility of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).3 The City and the TRCA work with private property owners to develop a Coordinated Watercourse Management Plan for properties located within floodplains and along river banks (City of Toronto 2014). [...] While Calgary is responsible for issuing warnings, data collection and monitoring of river flows are conducted by a provincial ministry, Alberta Environment and Parks.4 In the aftermath of the 2013 floods, Calgary has taken steps to improve the communication of flood risk to citizens.