MEDIA ADVISORY - Coquitlam leads on adaptation to extreme weather events by piloting new tool to plan infrastructure fixes and reduce basement flooding

COQUITLAM, BC, Nov. 19, 2013 /CNW/ -

WHAT: The City of Coquitlam and Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) will launch a pilot project to use MRAT (for municipal risk assessment tool). This made-in-Canada technology combines information - about infrastructure, climate and insurance claims - to create maps that give city engineers a new and revealing picture of infrastructure vulnerabilities in 2013, in 2020 and in 2050.

This view into the future will help cities find and fix problems before they happen, prioritize repairs and leverage federal infrastructure dollars. The goal is fewer flooded basements now and in the future.

WHY: Canada's weather has been changing. Canadian communities now cope with more rain and snow, which can overwhelm already vulnerable infrastructure, and cause sewers to back up and basements to flood. The Canadian property and casualty insurance industry has also faced rapidly rising claims costs to repair flooded basements.

Join Coquitlam Mayor Richard Stewart and Council along with IBC Regional Vice-President Bill Adams to learn more about the new multi-million dollar MRAT technology and how it will benefit Coquitlam and its residents.

WHEN: 10 a.m., November 21, 2013

WHERE: Coquitlam City Hall, 3000 Guildford Way

About the City of Coquitlam
Coquitlam is home to over 129,000 people and is a vibrant, regional centre in the lower mainland of British Columbia. The city is positioned to experience significant growth over the next 30 years, with the population expected to reach over 220,000 by 2041. Coquitlam is committed to carefully managing the city's future while continuing to deliver the highest level of service to the community through leadership, sustainability and innovation.

To learn more about the City of Coquitlam visit http://www.coquitlam.ca/economicdevelopment, follow us on Twitter @CityofCoquitlam or like us on Facebook.

About Insurance Bureau of Canada
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 118,600 Canadians, pays more than $7 billion in taxes to the federal, provincial and municipal governments, and has a total premium base of $46 billion.

To view media releases and other information, visit the media section of IBC's website at www.ibc.ca. Follow IBC on Twitter @InsuranceBureau or like us on Facebook.

SOURCE: Insurance Bureau of Canada

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Kathleen Vincent
Manager Corporate Communications
City of Coquitlam
604-927-3019
[email protected]

Ellen Woodger
Communications Consultant
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-483-2358
[email protected]

Helen Lialias
Media Relations Officer
Insurance Bureau of Canada
416-362-2031 ext. 4312
[email protected]