Is an Earthquake in Quebec Possible?

Did you know that the Charlevoix-Kamouraska seismic zone is one of the most active in Eastern Canada? Devastating earthquakes have occurred here in the past and will inevitably continue to do so in the future.

In 1988, a magnitude 5.9 earthquake occurred 35 km south of Chicoutimi, causing damage estimated at between $10 and $50 million. This same earthquake damaged buildings up to several hundred kilometres from its epicentre. One of the walls of the Quebec City racetrack collapsed. Several hospitals in the lower town also showed significant cracks. In Montreal, a Shell refinery tower lost bricks and Montreal East City Hall suffered so much damage that it had to be rebuilt.

And yet, the earthquake took place over 300 km away!

Every five days, an earthquake occurs in western Quebec. These earthquakes are generally not felt by the general population. But seismic activity is nonetheless notable. This is all the more disturbing given that the urban areas of Montreal and Ottawa-Hull are located in this zone.

Another Canadian zone to keep an eye on is the St. Lawrence Valley, which lies on the Laurentian Fault. After the coast of British Columbia, this is the most seismically sensitive zone in Canada.

For your information, the City of Montreal was built on this fault.

Earthquake and Insurance

In Quebec, it is reported that “just over 40% of businesses are protected” ¹ against earthquakes.

Several factors contribute to this statistic: the “unfounded” threat of this type of phenomenon in our region, and the cost of such coverage, top the list of reasons why Quebecers often refuse such coverage. Many people also mistakenly believe that, in the event of an earthquake, they would receive financial assistance from the Canadian government.

But did you know that the amount of financial assistance eligible for business owners is “75% of eligible damage […] to buildings, up to a maximum of $200,000”? ² Additional costs remain the responsibility of the owner.

What about you? Are you in an area at risk from earthquakes? Click here to find out:
http://www.iclr.org/homeowners/earthquakerisktool.html

[1] As quoted by Pierre Babinsky, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), in an interview for ChADPresse - Summer 2015.
[2] http://www.securitepublique.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/Documents/securite_civile/aidefinanciere_sinistres/depliants/daf_entreprises.pdf