{"id":56604,"date":"2025-02-24T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2025-02-24T11:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2025\/02\/24\/ottawa-commits-to-faster-stronger-disaster-recovery\/"},"modified":"2025-02-24T11:00:27","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T11:00:27","slug":"ottawa-commits-to-faster-stronger-disaster-recovery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/2025\/02\/24\/ottawa-commits-to-faster-stronger-disaster-recovery\/","title":{"rendered":"Ottawa commits to faster, stronger disaster recovery"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align:center\"><\/div><p> \n<\/p>\n<div id=\"\">\n<header aria-label=\"Beginning of Article\" class=\"article-header article-header--story\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumb\" class=\"breadcrumbs\" data-aqa=\"nav-breadcrumb\">\n<p>Breadcrumb Trail Links<\/p>\n<ol class=\"breadcrumbs__items list-unstyled\">\n<li class=\"breadcrumbs__item\">News<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<div class=\"article-header__detail\">\n<div class=\"article-header__detail__texts\">\n<p class=\"article-subtitle\">Paul Kovacs: It&#8217;s time to embrace progress and deliver on the promise that investments in risk reduction will ensure safer, more resilient communities for all<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta\">\n<p><span class=\"published-date__since\">Published Feb 24, 2025<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span class=\"updated-date__since\">Last updated 35\u00a0minutes ago<\/span> \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 <span class=\"published-date__word-count\">3 minute read<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"article-meta__bottom\">\n<div class=\"bookmark-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"popover\" data-aqa=\"popover\" data-click-to-appear=\"True\" data-container=\"\" data-container-offset=\"\" data-no-style=\"\" data-popover-component=\"\" data-position=\"top\" data-sticky=\"\" data-tail-offset=\"200\" data-tail-position=\"right\"><button class=\"popover__trigger bookmark-button\"><span class=\"save-article-button save-article-button--default\" title=\"Save article\" data-article-id=\"b88414c0-0790-4c72-8607-f581d35a6bd1\" data-evt-skip-click=\"true\"\/><\/button><\/p>\n<div aria-describedby=\"popover-desc-popover-bookmark\" class=\"popover__content\" hidden=\"\" role=\"dialog\">\n<div class=\"popover__content__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"popover__content__text\" id=\"popover-desc-popover-bookmark\">\n<div class=\"bookmark__popover__content\">\n<p>You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button class=\"popover__content__close\" data-evt-skip-click=\"true\" title=\"Close\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" viewbox=\"0 0 12 12\" class=\"icon--close\" height=\"12\" version=\"1.1\" width=\"12\"><polygon points=\"12 0.95 11.05 0 6 5.05 0.95 0 0 0.95 5.05 6 0 11.05 0.95 12 6 6.95 11.05 12 12 11.05 6.95 6\"\/><\/svg><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"featured-image\" data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture class=\"featured-image__ratio\"><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><figcaption class=\"featured-image__caption image-caption\"><span class=\"caption\">A devastated residential block after a wildfire in Jasper, Alta.<\/span> <span class=\"credit\">Photo by Amber Bracken\/The Canadian Press files<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<h2 class=\"visually-hidden\">Article content<\/h2>\n<p data-async=\"\">In an historic step forward in Canadian disaster management policy, the federal government recently announced bold and transformative changes to the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program. This is the most significant improvement in more than 50 years. The changes promise faster recovery after a flood, wildfire or other disaster, and stronger, more resilient communities.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group ad_counter_2\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment3782949681625894244144298250469376\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 2<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-2\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[6,6],[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-interscroller=\"6x6\" data-ad-loc=\"2\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[6,6],[320,50],[300,50],[300,250],[300,600]]\" data-aqa=\"advertisement\" id=\"ad-2\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:600px\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p>This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-block article-block-bg article-content__sign-in-group 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Joe O&#8217;Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.<\/li>\n<li>Daily content from Financial Times, the world&#8217;s leading global business publication.<\/li>\n<li>Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"intro-body__anonymous\">\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p class=\"identity-intro__description\">Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled list-checkmark\">\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"intro-body__registration_only hidden\">\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p class=\"identity-intro__description\">Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul class=\"list-unstyled list-checkmark\">\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"identity-screen m-x-0 p-x-0 col-xs-12 col-md-6 flex-justify-center flex-align-center\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<section class=\"sail\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-sailthru-personalization-engine=\"\" data-sailthru-personalization-engine-component=\"\"\/>\n<div class=\"m-x-0 p-x-0 col-xs-12 col-sm-6 col-md-12 flex-align-justify-center\" data-auth-component=\"\" id=\"auth-screen-form\">\n<div class=\"identity-screen-form--active w-full flex-align-justify-center\">\n<div class=\"identity-screen-form identity-screen__content w-full\">\n<h2 class=\"blocker-title\">Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span class=\"identity-divider__line\"\/><span class=\"identity-divider__text\">or<\/span><span class=\"identity-divider__line\"\/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<footer class=\"identity-footer identity-screen__content m-x-0 p-x-0 col-sm-6 col-md-12\"\/><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Now, \u201cbuilding back better\u201d with added protection will replace \u201crestoring to pre-disaster conditions\u201d as the standard approach to recovery. Investments in resilience will now reduce the risk of future disaster damage, bringing savings over the long term. Research by the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction shows that each dollar invested in resilience will likely prevent $5 to $10 or more in future damage \u2014 a compelling return on investment.<\/p>\n<p>The federal government has provided more than $9 billion in financial assistance for disaster recovery through the DFAA program. However, rebuilding to pre-disaster conditions often perpetuated vulnerabilities, leaving those at risk before the disaster equally at risk after the recovery. Moreover, achieving full recovery often took years. The revised DFAA aims to shorten recovery timelines and break the cycle of repeated loss through increased federal funding support to add resilience in recovery.<\/p>\n<p>In 2023, the federal government paid more than $1.5 billion to rebuild to pre-disaster conditions. The 2025 DFAA program now offers an additional 25 per cent to invest in risk reduction and protective measures, including relocation support and buyouts, where appropriate. Hundreds of millions of dollars will be invested to help damaged homes and infrastructure recover beyond pre-disaster conditions with protection from future risks. The federal government will cover up to 50 per cent of costs in zones of low and moderate risk, and 90 per cent in high risk zones.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"js-widget-content article-content__widget-group article-content__widget-group--content-slot10 article-content__widget-group--newsletter-slot\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-widget__new-story-page fp-execsummary background--primary-light-gradient\" aria-labelledby=\"FinancialPostPosthaste5755440992889272111035765166702592\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component=\"\" data-target-list=\"FP_ExecSummary\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-new-story-page-template\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-widget__header__new-story-page\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-widget__banner__new-story-page\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 75w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 100w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 150w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 240w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 320w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 500w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 640w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 800w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 1024w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 1280w, https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg 1600w\" alt=\"Posthaste\" loading=\"lazy\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/18.0.4\/websites\/images\/newsletters\/icon-fp-posthaste.svg\"\/><\/div>\n<div>\n<p>Posthaste<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-widget__text__new-story-page\">Breaking business news, incisive views, must-reads and market signals. Weekdays by 9 a.m.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"newsletter-widget__body__new-story-page\">\n<div class=\"js-replace-main__new-story-page\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-widget__disclaimer__new-story-page text-size--tiny\">By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"js-submit-success\" hidden=\"\" id=\"submitSuccessFP_ExecSummary\">\n<p>Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-widget__text__new-story-page\">A welcome email is on its way. If you don&#8217;t see it, please check your junk folder.<\/p>\n<p class=\"newsletter-widget__text__new-story-page newsletter__feedback--last\">The next issue of Posthaste will soon be in your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"newsletter-widget__text__new-story-page js-submit-error\" style=\"margin-top: 8px\" hidden=\"\" id=\"submitErrorFP_ExecSummary\">We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group ad_counter_3\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment5814000725741022697683901111861248\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 3<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-3\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[7,7],[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-interscroller=\"7x7\" data-ad-loc=\"3\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[7,7],[300,250],[320,50],[300,50]]\" data-aqa=\"advertisement\" id=\"ad-3\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p>This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Presently, most at risk Canadian homes lack essential protections against flooding, wildfires and other hazards. DFAA reforms offer an opportunity to change this. Some municipalities are leading by example, providing incentives for basement flood protection (Toronto, Ottawa, Edmonton, London and a dozen others), wildfire resilience (Fort McMurray and others), and storm resistance (Dufferin County in Ontario and an expired program in Calgary). Revised federal assistance encourages broader adoption of financial incentives by governments of all levels.<\/p>\n<p>Recovery planning is vital to accelerate a healthy rebuilding process and embed resilience into reconstruction. DFAA now includes a Disaster Risk Reduction Incentive that rewards the efforts made by provinces and territorial governments that proactively support their communities in recovery planning and mitigation. Greater investments in mitigation and planning will ensure that people return to their homes, schools and workplaces sooner.<\/p>\n<p>Canadians are effective in pre-disaster response planning, and now we need to apply this strength to recovery planning. Much of an effective recovery process can be set out in advance, before a disaster strikes. Planning allows recovery funds to revitalize and enhance the community.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"ad__section-border article-content__ad-group ad_counter_4\">\n<section aria-describedby=\"advertisment653494406850353355153657733054464\" class=\"ad\">\n<p>Advertisement 4<\/p>\n<div class=\"ad__container\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner\" id=\"ad__inner-4\">\n<div class=\"ad__inner__container\" data-ad=\"[[1200,250],[1200,90],[970,90],[970,250],[728,90],[300,250]]\" data-ad-loc=\"4\" data-ad-mobile=\"[[320,50],[300,50],[300,250]]\" data-aqa=\"advertisement\" id=\"ad-4\" style=\"--desktopHeight:250px;--mobileHeight:250px\">\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"ad__placeholder\">\n<p>This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>In 2024, Canadians experienced $12 billion to $14 billion in preventable direct damage from disasters. The trend in rising disaster loss and damage in Canada is unsustainable and unacceptable. Insurance companies paid $3.5 billion last year to repair basement flood damage in Montreal and Toronto, $3 billion for hail damage in Calgary, and more than $1 billion because of the wildfire in Jasper. Investing in resilient homes and infrastructure is essential to break this alarming trend. DFAA modernization directly addresses this need. The federal government will spend more over the near term to support Canadians and communities that invest in protective measures, and this will result in significant savings in the long term through reduced future loss and damage.<\/p>\n<section aria-labelledby=\"moreTopicLabel2611246674373556121509433048039424\" class=\"more-topic\" data-aqa=\"embed-more-topic\" data-carousel-component=\"\" data-carousel-icon-button=\"\" data-carousel-type=\"list\">\n<p>Recommended from Editorial<\/p>\n<p><button aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"more-topic__button-prev\" data-carousel-prev=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"previous\" type=\"button\"\/><\/p>\n<ol class=\"more-topic__items list-unstyled\" data-carousel-slide-list=\"\" tabindex=\"0\">\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\" control_fields=\"\" canada=\"\" can=\"\" learn=\"\" from=\"\" the=\"\" devastating=\"\" wildfires=\"\" in=\"\" california=\"\" data-carousel-item=\"\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\"> <picture class=\"more-topic__item-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==\" fifu-lazy=\"1\" fifu-data-sizes=\"auto\" fifu-data-srcset=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=75&resize=75&ssl=1 75w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=100&resize=100&ssl=1 100w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=150&resize=150&ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=240&resize=240&ssl=1 240w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=320&resize=320&ssl=1 320w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=500&resize=500&ssl=1 500w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=640&resize=640&ssl=1 640w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=800&resize=800&ssl=1 800w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=1024&resize=1024&ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=1280&resize=1280&ssl=1 1280w, https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1&w=1600&resize=1600&ssl=1 1600w\" alt=\"Trees and homes which burned in the Palisades Fire on Jan. 28 in Pacific Palisades, California. \" data-src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&sig=_u45cRqOx-e91ET0eWJXUg\" fifu-data-src=\"https:\/\/i2.wp.com\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=5&sig=yB6SfJy9ShTCwUHfBEfdMw&ssl=1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=96&strip=all&quality=80&sig=_u45cRqOx-e91ET0eWJXUg, https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=192&strip=all&quality=80&sig=Cn4WZREkC3r5NhW1PyVBSw 2x,\n                                             https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/no0129wildfires.jpg?h=288&strip=all&quality=80&sig=75G4_Gkzn2uriF0ybcgGXA 3x\" class=\"lazyload\" height=\"96\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"96\"\/><\/picture>\n<p><span class=\"more-topic__item-text-clamp\">What Canada can learn from the devastating wildfires in California<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-evt-val=\"{\" control_fields=\"\" in=\"\" roof=\"\" sprinklers=\"\" to=\"\" cut=\"\" the=\"\" cost=\"\" of=\"\" wildfires=\"\" data-carousel-item=\"\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\">\n<p><span class=\"more-topic__item-text-clamp\">Bring in roof sprinklers to cut the cost of wildfires<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><button aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"more-topic__button-next\" data-carousel-next=\"\" tabindex=\"-1\" title=\"next\" type=\"button\"\/><\/section>\n<p>The federal government demonstrated bold leadership with DFAA reforms. It also committed to develop a national recovery strategy. Now, it\u2019s up to provincial, territorial and municipal governments, along with insurance companies and other stakeholders, to integrate resilience and add protection investments in recovery. Together, we can ensure that Canadians recover faster and emerge stronger, with homes, buildings and infrastructure designed to withstand future disasters.<\/p>\n<p>This is a pivotal moment for disaster management in Canada \u2014 a time to embrace progress and deliver on the promise that investments in risk reduction will ensure safer, more resilient communities for all.<\/p>\n<p><em>Paul Kovacs is founder and executive director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-async=\"\"><em><strong>Bookmark our website and support our journalism:<\/strong> Don\u2019t miss the business news you need to know \u2014 add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and sign up for our newsletters here.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__content-group article-content__content-group--story\">\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"article-content__share-group article-delimiter\" data-evt-val=\"{\" control_fields=\"\" data-evt-typ=\"page_scroll\">\n<p>Share this article in your social network<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n<br \/>Ottawa commits to faster, stronger disaster recovery<\/a><br \/>\n<br \/>2025-02-24 11:00:27<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Breadcrumb Trail Links News Paul Kovacs: It&#8217;s time to embrace progress and deliver on the promise that investments in risk reduction will ensure safer, more resilient communities for all Published&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":56605,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/financialpost\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/no0221wildfires.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216&sig=rmoXxNB0onEDtWdyAOJ5Fw","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-56604","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-economy"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56604","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56604"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56604\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media\/56605"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56604"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56604"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pantheregroup.com\/api\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56604"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}