City continuing FireSmart activities to help protect the Bear Creek Corridor from wildfires

The City of Grande Prairie has been selected as a 2025 recipient of funding through Intact's Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant, providing $130,000 to support vegetation management and protect against wildfires.

The City's project focuses on the continuation of FireSmart activities within the forest area along the Bear Creek Corridor. The project has an estimated completion date of January 31, 2027 and includes up to 16.64 hectares of area earmarked for the removal of dead and down woody debris.

"This initiative is an essential step in caring for our natural areas while helping protect residents from the growing risk of wildfires," said City of Grande Prairie Mayor, Jackie Clayton. "By reducing hazards in spaces like the Bear Creek Corridor, we're supporting biodiversity, enhancing public safety and demonstrating leadership in environmental stewardship. We appreciate Intact's support in advancing this important work for a safer, more resilient community."

"Grande Prairie is demonstrating what local leadership on climate resilience truly looks like by acting decisively to protect a cherished green space and reduce wildfire risk where its citizens live, work, and play," said Vice President, Business Development, Western Canada, Intact Financial Corporation, Rosa Nelson. "These proactive and inspiring efforts to protect both people and natural assets through smart wildfire prevention are the kinds of practical local solutions that matter. We're honored and proud to support their vision and implementation through our Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program."

About the Intact Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant

The City's South Bear Creek Park project is one of 19 community-led projects selected across Canada as part of Intact's expanded $3.1 million commitment to climate adaptation through its Municipal Climate Resiliency Grant program. This program is rooted in the belief that municipalities are on the front lines of climate change, and that providing them with tools tailored to their local needs is essential to building lasting community resilience. The 2025 cohort of grant recipients was selected from over 170 applicants and reflects a diverse mix of municipalities, registered charities, and Indigenous communities across the country.

Intact has been dedicated to climate adaptation for over a decade, investing more than $30 million since 2010 in over 100 projects. The Municipal Climate Resiliency Grants program was launched in 2021 to support municipalities, which own 60 per cent of Canada's infrastructure and serve as frontline responders when disasters strike. Under the program's first round of funding, Intact invested $1 million to fund 10 communities nationwide. In 2024, the organization announced plans to double its commitment from $1 to $2 million for the 2024-2025 program. With the overwhelming demand and urgent need, Intact recently announced that it has increased its program funding to $3.1 million over the next two years, supporting 19 communities throughout Canada.

To learn more about the program, visit: intactfc.com

How Intact is Supporting Canadians Intact recently launched a national, long-term prevention program called Keep It Intact. The program provides an array of tools, solutions, and practical advice to empower Canadians in protecting their properties. With many easily implemented and proven tips, homeowners can take proactive steps to help prevent or reduce damage from extreme weather.

• Through its partnership with the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, Intact has released easy-to-follow infographics and simple maintenance steps explaining how Canadians can help protect their communities against extreme weather, including wildfire and floods.
• The Intact Centre, in partnership with FireSmart™ Alberta, has recently launched a new FireSmart Scorecard to help Alberta communities assess and strengthen their wildfire readiness. This tool can be customized to help communities across the country protect people, homes and infrastructure from wildfire risk.
• At no additional cost, Intact offers eligible customers in Alberta and British Columbia a wildfire prevention service. When communities are threatened by active wildfires the team is deployed to help protect homes including by removing combustible materials around properties, setting up temporary sprinkler systems, and covering exterior vents and closing exterior doors, windows and garage doors.

Key Facts

• In 2024, approximately 70% of the total area burned by wildfires occurred in Western Canada, impacting municipalities in British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, and Saskatchewan.
• Summer of 2024 was the most destructive season in Canadian history for insured losses due to severe weather, totaling $7.1 billion. With 228,000 claims filed, this represents a 406% increase in claims due to severe weather events compared with the 20-year average.
• Municipalities own and operate 60% of the public infrastructure in Canada.

About Intact Financial Corporation

Intact Financial Corporation (TSX: IFC) is the largest provider of Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance in Canada, a leading Specialty lines insurer with international expertise and a leader in Commercial lines in the UK and Ireland. The business has grown organically and through acquisitions to almost $24 billion of total annual operating direct premiums written (DPW).

In Canada, Intact distributes insurance under the Intact Insurance brand through agencies and a wide network of brokers, including its wholly-owned subsidiary BrokerLink. Intact also distributes directly to consumers through the belairdirect brand and affinity partnerships. Additionally, Intact provides exclusive and tailored offerings to high-net-worth customers through Intact Prestige.

In the US, Intact Insurance Specialty Solutions provides a range of Specialty insurance products and services through independent agencies, regional and national brokers, wholesalers and managing general agencies.

Across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, Intact provides Personal, Commercial and/or Specialty insurance solutions through the RSA, 123.ie, NIG and FarmWeb brands.