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Dec 12

Video conference: Insurance & Disaster Recovery: Fort Mac And Bow Valley

Toronto ON, C.D. Howe Institute, 67 Yonge Street, Suite 300

Video Conference with Don Forgeron, Paul Kovacs and Norma Nielson

Sponsored by:

We will be turning the event in Calgary into a video conference so that members of the Institute who are located in Toronto can tune into this event.

We have witnessed the most costly natural disaster in Canadian history this year. As climate change increases risks for infrastructure it is critical that we discuss how to mitigate the catastrophic effects of such risks on the insurance markets and infrastructure.

Don Forgeron, President and CEO, Insurance Bureau of Canada

Appointed Insurance Bureau of Canada’s President and CEO in 2009, Don has a successful track record of over 25 years in the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. He has a strong foundation in the public and private sectors, having worked for Alberta’s Department of Environment and the National Research Council in Nova Scotia early in his career.

After joining IBC in 1993 as Vice-President, Atlantic Canada, and subsequently Ontario, Don worked for positive impacts to the insurance and public policy landscapes. Leading the charge for auto insurance reform in Ontario and Atlantic Canada, he worked with various provincial governments to create sustainable and affordable auto insurance systems that meet the consumer need for affordable premiums and adequate benefit levels. Don also helped bring about graduated driver licensing across Atlantic Canada working with Governments and interested stakeholders.

In 2000, Don assumed the role of Vice-President, Strategic Development of Investigative Services, where he supervised work with Customs Canada and other law enforcement agencies to reduce the number of stolen vehicles shipped internationally. He guided IBC’s transition to a focused, low-cost service supplier to the industry.

As President and CEO, Don works with governments and key stakeholders across the country to build a strong, stable P&C industry and a stronger and safer Canada. He has played a key role in building a consumer-focused and sustainable auto insurance system in Ontario. He is also leading a national conversation on the need to better prepare for an earthquake in various parts of Canada and finally, he has pushed for a national dialogue with governments and consumers on the need for severe weather adaptation.

Don is also a leader involved in the international insurance issues that increase industry effectiveness and provide input to regulatory bodies. He is a founding member of the Global Federation of Insurance Associations (GFIA) and leads an international working group in Natural Catastrophe response.

A graduate of Cape Breton University, and a 2013 Cape Breton University Alumni Award recipient, Don has completed management studies at University of Toronto, Harvard and McGill universities. He served as the 2012-2014 Insurance Division Chair for United Way Toronto and as a member of the Campaign Cabinet. Don was also a member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada’s Board of Directors (Ontario Division), 2011-12.

 

Paul Kovacs, Executive Director, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction

Paul Kovacs is founder and Executive Director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction at Western University, and CEO of PACICC.Since 1996 Paul has been a contributing author to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world's leading forum for the study of climate issues. The Panel won the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize "for their efforts to build up and disseminate greater knowledge about man-made climate change". He is Canada’s leading authority on insurance and climate change and has been a contributing author to numerous international and Canadian reports on reducing the risk of loss from earthquakes, flood and severe wind.For more than thirty-five years Paul has been a popular commentator on insurance, disaster safety and economic policy. He has written more than 200 publications and articles and he is a passionate champion for insurance, disaster resilience and adaptation to climate extremes.Paul has worked in private industry, the public sector and academia. He is Co-Chair of the Infrastructure and Housing Working Group of Canada’s Adaptation Platform. He is Co-Chair of the Science and Technology Working Group of Canada’s Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction. Paul is also a member of a number of Boards and Advisory Panels. He is a proud husband and father, with a growing collection of bow ties.

 

Norma Nielson, Professor and Chair-Insurance & Risk Management, University of Calgary

Dr. Norma Nielson has an undergraduate degree in mathematics and business/computer science from Northwest Missouri State University.  In 1979 she became the first woman with a fellowship from the S. S. Huebner Foundation for Insurance Education to earn her PhD.  Shortly thereafter she moved from Iowa State University to the University of Southern California and, six years later, further up the west coast to Oregon State University.  In July of 1997, Dr. Norma Nielson assumed the responsibilities of Chairholder in Insurance and Risk Management within what is now the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.

Now finishing nineteen years at University of Calgary, she has taught the introductory insurance and risk management course as well as three different fourth-year courses covering all aspects of insurance and risk management.  Several times she has taught International Insurance Markets and accompanied the students on their field trip to London and Bermuda. 

Norma's research efforts, which have produced over fifty publications, often have tackled difficult public policy issues.   She serves as Director of the Risk Studies Centre and as Program Director for the Financial Market Regulation Program at the University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy.

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