A RISING TIDE: How flood risk transparency can drive equitable outcomes in Canada

The report examines the intersection of flood risk transparency and social equity in Canada, arguing that current practices in mapping, disclosure, and risk-based pricing often marginalize vulnerable populations. It highlights how systemic inequalities, such as the forced relocation of Indigenous communities to floodplains, increase climate vulnerability. The authors propose a transition toward 'transformational adaptation' through inclusive mapping, standardized disclosure laws for renters and buyers, and affordable, public insurance programs that support strategic retreat rather than just rebuilding in high-risk areas.

• Flood risk is a pervasive issue in Canada, with 80% of cities partially built on floodplains and 10% of homes exposed to high flood risk.
• Current flood mapping in Canada often lacks precision and availability in areas where equity-deserving groups are overrepresented, particularly in rural and remote regions. Many existing maps are outdated by 25 years or more.
• Flood risk maps are often inaccessible to the general public because they frequently require physical visits to municipal offices for paper copies and are written in technical language difficult for non-specialists to interpret.
• There are significant gaps in disclosure requirements during real estate and rental transactions; specifically, landlords in Canada are not required to disclose known flood risks to tenants, who are often from equity-deserving groups.
• Risk-based pricing can lead to 'bluelining,' where disinvestment in high-risk areas causes neighborhoods to decline, while simultaneously driving 'climate gentrification' in lower-risk areas, making them unaffordable for low-income groups.
• Rising insurance premiums, which increased by 20% to 25% across Canada between 2015 and 2019, may force low-income residents to choose between flood insurance and basic necessities.
• Systemic marginalization has historically increased flood exposure, such as the forced relocation of Indigenous communities to floodplains under the Indian Act of 1876.

APA

Sparling, E., Eyzaguirre, J., & Wale, J. (n.d.). A RISING TIDE: How flood risk transparency can drive equitable outcomes in Canada. Canadian Climate Institute. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/renverser-la-vapeur.pdf

Chicago

Sparling, Erik, Jimena Eyzaguirre, and Janna Wale. A RISING TIDE: How flood risk transparency can drive equitable outcomes in Canada. Canadian Climate Institute, n.d. https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/renverser-la-vapeur.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sparling |first1=Erik |last2=Eyzaguirre |first2=Jimena |last3=Wale |first3=Janna |title=A RISING TIDE: How flood risk transparency can drive equitable outcomes in Canada |publisher=Canadian Climate Institute |url=https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/renverser-la-vapeur.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sparlingndrising, author = {Sparling, Erik and Eyzaguirre, Jimena and Wale, Janna}, title = {{A RISING TIDE: How flood risk transparency can drive equitable outcomes in Canada}}, institution = {Canadian Climate Institute}, url = {https://institutclimatique.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/renverser-la-vapeur.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }