IBC and FCM announce winners of first annual Watershed Awards to recognize
communities adapting to effects of climate change

City of Edmonton wins national Watershed Award

TORONTO, May 29 /CNW/ - Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), in partnership with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), today announced the winners of the first annual Watershed Awards to recognize Canadian municipalities that have taken proactive measures to reduce their vulnerability to storm and wastewater damage.

The awards, which are part of FCM's Sustainable Community Awards, were presented this evening at FCM's 73rd Annual Conference and Municipal Expo(TM) in Toronto.

"Severe weather resulting from climate change has become a formidable foe," said Don Forgeron, President & CEO, IBC. "Insurers see first-hand the impact and havoc this causes for individuals and communities. The Watershed Awards shine a spotlight on communities that have taken the initiative to adapt to the effects of climate change to protect their citizens and, in the process, inspire other communities to follow their lead," he added.

FCM President Basil Stewart, mayor of Summerside, PEI, said: "Municipalities are among the leaders in the battle against climate change. It's important to recognize the most innovative measures being implemented by municipal governments across the country to reduce storm and wastewater damage in their communities."

The national award was presented to the City of Edmonton for its Dual-Use Stormwater Management Facility Project. This innovative solution uses a school playing field to provide stormwater management and flood control when there is extreme rainfall. It is one of a number of projects implemented by the City of Edmonton in response to an extreme rainfall event in 2004 that flooded over 4,000 basements throughout the city, resulting in $171 million in insurance claims.

Link to video footage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZ1TH7R1uh4

Regional Watershed Awards were also presented to the following municipalities.

    
    British Columbia: District of Central Saanich

    Project: Integrated Stormwater Management Plan
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg8fw2vhW_Y

    Prairies and the North: Saskatoon, SK

    Project: The Superpipe Initiative
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7F6Dm7dyGs

    Ontario (co-winners):

    City of Toronto

    Project: Basement Flooding Protection Program
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM_sjk4cW6Q

    Town of Richmond Hill

    Project: Pioneer Park Stormwater Management Project
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oA-UEI13hH4

    Quebec: Ville de Saint-Jérôme

    Project: The Parc Schulz Retention Pond
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGQJCTXPluU

    Atlantic Region (joint submission): Town of Appleton and Town of
    Glenwood, NL

    Project: Wetland Sewage Treatment System for the Towns of Appleton and
    Glenwood
    Link to video footage:
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqa3Gvoaq9c
    

About IBC

Insurance Bureau of Canada is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, car and business insurers. Its member companies represent 90% of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance market in Canada. The P&C insurance industry employs over 110,000 Canadians, pays more than $6 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $39 billion.

About FCM

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) has been the national voice of municipal government since 1901. With more than 1,800 members, FCM represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction. Members include Canada's largest cities, small urban and rural communities and 18 provincial and territorial municipal associations.

Note to editors: Video footage is provided (see links above) for the free and unrestricted use of media outlets and can be embedded on your websites.

For further information: IBC: Ellen Woodger, [phone]; or Pete Karageorgos, [phone], ext. 4329; FCM: Maurice Gingues, [phone] or [email protected]