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Canada: Documents show many cities are wary of mapping flood risks, making data public
OTTAWA – When municipal officials were told last year about new tools to help them map the risk of flooding in their communities, they immediately raised red flags, suggesting they wanted no part of it over concerns about legal liability and political backlash.
Details contained in internal government reports echo a narrative across the country that show just how wary some city leaders have been about mapping – and publicizing – flood risks in their communities.
As one municipal official put it, they fear releasing the information would force them to use the Tim Hortons drive-up window to avoid the ire of those inside the restaurant.
The stance has mystified insurance industry representatives and local leaders who have been pushing municipalities to use new mapping tools to identify risk areas and make that information public.
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