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Evaluating property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance (Rebuild) options in Canada: A comparative analysis of Constance Bay, Ontario and Pointe Gatineau, Quebec

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Listed:
  • Shaieree Cottar

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Brent Doberstein

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Daniel Henstra

    (University of Waterloo)

  • Johanna Wandel

    (University of Waterloo)

Abstract

How have property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance programs been implemented in Canadian communities? This paper compares contrasting policies and programs in two Canadian jurisdictions, Pointe Gatineau, Quebec and Constance Bay, Ontario—both of which experienced major flooding from the Ottawa River in 2017 and 2019. The floods highlighted the need for government interventions, including disaster recovery compensation and property buyouts, to support homeowners through the recovery process. This research adopts the Protect, Accommodate, Retreat and Avoid (PARA) framework to characterize and evaluate the different policy responses to the flood events in the two provinces in the broader context of climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Through qualitative research methods, the study assessed the strengths and weakness of the provincial policy responses, explained why different policies were created in Ontario and Quebec (despite sharing a common river and flood risks), described how the policy deployment strategies evolved and examined how the programs prompted homeowners to make the decision to either retreat or rebuild. Both case studies involved reviewing flood timelines and recovery efforts, examining the disaster recovery policies implemented and assessing the application of property buyouts in flooded communities. The case studies were then compared to draw out cross-case insights. The paper concludes with lessons for designing effective property buyout programs. This study is intended to assist policymakers to make informed, evidence-based decisions that can protect communities from inundations risks and build long-term resilience against flood hazards.

Suggested Citation

  • Shaieree Cottar & Brent Doberstein & Daniel Henstra & Johanna Wandel, 2021. "Evaluating property buyouts and disaster recovery assistance (Rebuild) options in Canada: A comparative analysis of Constance Bay, Ontario and Pointe Gatineau, Quebec," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(1), pages 201-220, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:109:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-021-04832-4
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-04832-4
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Miyuki Hino & Christopher B. Field & Katharine J. Mach, 2017. "Managed retreat as a response to natural hazard risk," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 7(5), pages 364-370, May.
    2. Brent Doberstein & Joanne Fitzgibbons & Carrie Mitchell, 2019. "Protect, accommodate, retreat or avoid (PARA): Canadian community options for flood disaster risk reduction and flood resilience," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 98(1), pages 31-50, August.
    3. Alex Greer & Sherri Brokopp Binder, 2017. "A Historical Assessment of Home Buyout Policy: Are We Learning or Just Failing?," Housing Policy Debate, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 372-392, May.
    4. John Carey, 2020. "Core Concept: Managed retreat increasingly seen as necessary in response to climate change’s fury," Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, vol. 117(24), pages 13182-13185, June.
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