Millions of Canadians live in high-risk earthquake zones, yet few are aware of the danger, according to new research from the Department of Public Safety. Blacklock's Reporter says the study found that only 32% of Canadians know whether their property is vulnerable to earthquakes, with awareness especially low in Québec.In the province’s Charlevoix region — one of the country’s two major seismic zones — just 22% of residents surveyed said they knew of past damaging earthquakes, despite major quakes recorded there in 1791, 1870, and 1925. The other primary fault zone runs along the coast of British Columbia, where a 9-magnitude quake occurred in 1700. In 1964, a 9.2-magnitude earthquake in Alaska triggered a four-metre tsunami that caused damage along the B.C. coast and as far south as California..The report, titled Flood Risk Resilience And Seismic Awareness And Mitigation, also found that among those who hadn’t taken steps to protect their homes, 32% said it was because they had never experienced an earthquake. Other reasons included high costs, disbelief that a quake would happen, and the assumption that the government would help in an emergency.When asked about other natural hazards of concern beyond floods, respondents cited wildfires (35%), tornados (21%), earthquakes (17%), droughts (16%), hurricanes (12%), landslides (7%), and permafrost thaw (7%).The lack of awareness and preparation could have significant financial consequences. .The Senate banking committee warned in a 2019 report that the low rate of earthquake insurance coverage, particularly in Québec, poses a risk to the national economy. “Québec has a situation that’s unique in that there is a potential for a catastrophic earthquake there and virtually nobody has insurance,” Sen. Scott Tannas told the committee.In a 2013 report, the Insurance Bureau of Canada estimated a 9-magnitude earthquake off Vancouver Island could lead to $20.4 billion in claims. A 7-magnitude quake in the St. Lawrence River region would cost $12 billion.Despite these risks, only 17% of Canadians said they had ever reviewed data about their earthquake exposure. “Like many other hazards, earthquake risk remains underestimated,” said the department’s findings.
