16 NOVEMBER 2012

Green Party Leader David Coon is calling on Premier David Alward to establish public disaster insurance to cover the costs of damage from climate change. "As climate change creates increasingly more severe weather in New Brunswick, private insurance companies will decline to cover the resulting damages. It is imperative that government establish insurance coverage for those living in areas of the province at greatest risk of damage from climate change," said David Coon, the Green Party leader.

Coon is joining municipal leaders, policy makers, and government officials at the Fredericton Convention Centre today for a conference examining tools and strategies for New Brunswick communities to cope with a rapidly changing climate. "Preparing for Climate 2100" runs until November 16th at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

 "Climate change is upon us and our government has a responsibility to ensure those who homes or businesses are damaged or destroyed by extreme weather have the financial means to re-build or resettle afterwards," said Coon. "Private insurance will not be an option, so we believe the Premier must create a publicly-run climate change insurance fund for New Brunswickers."