No time to waste as region grows
Theme: Infrastructure needs of tomorrow Mary Lou O’Reilly, senior vice-president of issues management and communications for the Insurance Bureau of Canada What do you see being the biggest challenge facing the GTHA over the next decade?
From the perspective of Canada’s home, car and business insurers, we have a real focus on the severe weather that’s linked in climate change. We can see devastating losses in our urban centres and we think it warrants civic action. What are the infrastructure issues that stem from a growing population?
Sewer and waste-water systems. More people burdening those systems that are antiquated and out-ofdate and need many billions of dollars to restore to their appropriate service levels. The more people living in a denser community, the more difficult a problem it becomes. No one wants raw sewage in their basements and,
regrettably, it’s commonplace. Is our region prepared to handle an increasing number of extreme weather events?
I think we’re prepared in the sense that the region is thinking about it, but that’s a long way from introducing all the elements of action that need to be put in place. Just the fact that we’re having this summit is a stellar example of the fact that the conversations are leading to action. This interviews has been edited and condensed. The 2015 CivicAction Summit — Better City Bootcamp is happening Tuesday, April 28. You can follow along at two regional satellite locations in Rexdale and Scarborough, through social media, or via an online livestream. For more information, visit CivicAction.ca/summit.