Environment commissioner’s five recommendations on handling severe weather

By The Canadian Press

OTTAWA – Julie Gelfand, the commissioner of environment and sustainable development, has issued her spring report, warning that the federal government must act to deal with the impact of severe weather events, from floods to extraordinary snowfalls. Following are her five recommendations:

— Environment Canada should consult decision-makers to clarify how intensity-duration-frequency curves should be produced. These curves look at the probability of extreme weather events. The department agreed to do so.

— Public Safety Canada should develop guidelines and standards for mapping flood plains, or areas vulnerable to high waters. The department agreed and is working to develop a national perspective on flood mapping.

— The National Research Council should factor climate change trends into the structural design provisions of the national building code, to look at the expected increase in frequency and severity of storms that can affect homes, offices and other structures. The agency says it will do so.

— Public Safety Canada should consult decision-makers to help them better understand the information they need for risk-reduction efforts. The department agreed.

— Public Safety Canada and other departments should examine the federal government’s mitigation programs to help provinces and territories invest in projects that can soften the impact of disasters. The department agreed.

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