National

Minister won't commit to national flood insurance program in near future

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Apr, 2026 09:18 AM

Federal Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski says she can't promise the government will launch the promised National Flood Insurance Program "in the near future."

The program was first promised by former prime minister Justin Trudeau in 2019 as an affordability measure to help households in flood-prone areas.

The government didn't start working on the program until 2023 and committed to implementing it by the end of 2025.

Olszewski told reporters on Tuesday it's still "top of mind" but it's a complicated program to set up.

Communities in several provinces were under flood warnings Tuesday and areas near Sudbury, Ont., and Gatineau, Que., declared states of emergency.

A 2022 report by Canada's Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation estimated the average annual cost of residential flooding in Canada at $2.97 billion.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

StatCan estimates GDP rebounded at year-end but uncertainties mount for economy

The Canadian economy contracted in November, but preliminary estimates point to a rebound at the end of the year as the country faces an uncertain future with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening to impose tariffs on Canadian goods as early as Saturday. Statistics Canada said Friday real gross domestic product decreased 0.2 per cent in November, the largest monthly contraction since December 2023.

StatCan estimates GDP rebounded at year-end but uncertainties mount for economy

Chrystia Freeland says Canada should target Elon Musk's Tesla in a tariff fight

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland says Ottawa should target Tesla vehicles and U.S. alcohol as part of its tariff retaliation package to send a message that an attack on Canadian trade would not be cost-free for Trump's allies. In an interview with The Canadian Press, Freeland said there should be a 100 per cent tariff on all U.S. wine, beer and spirits, and on all Teslas.

Chrystia Freeland says Canada should target Elon Musk's Tesla in a tariff fight

Conservative fundraising for 2024 nearly doubles Liberal, NDP totals

The Conservative Party had a banner fundraising year in 2024, when it nearly doubled the combined total collected by the Liberals and NDP by raising almost $41.8 million. The Conservatives brought in nearly $12.8 million in the final quarter of 2024, according to filings with Elections Canada.

Conservative fundraising for 2024 nearly doubles Liberal, NDP totals

International study permit data an 'earthquake' for Canadian university finances

Provinces where international permit allocations were increased last year are also experiencing a decline in international enrolment, creating gaps in budgets that may lead to program cuts.

International study permit data an 'earthquake' for Canadian university finances

Carney vows to kill consumer carbon pricing, shift to green incentives

Liberal leadership contender Mark Carney is backing away from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's consumer carbon pricing regime but will keep industrial pricing in place. Carney said the country has become divided over the policy because Canadians have been fed "misinformation" by Conservative Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre.

Carney vows to kill consumer carbon pricing, shift to green incentives

Trudeau says Canada 'ready' for Trump tariffs as ministers make final push in D.C.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada is ready to deliver a "purposeful, forceful but reasonable immediate" response if U.S. President Donald Trump imposes tariffs on Canadian imports. During an event in Toronto today, Trudeau said that it's "not what we want, but if he moves forward, we will also act."