Council urges provincial government to address impact of heritage designation on insurance

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

Council is urging the Ontario government to investigate why some insurance companies are increasing premiums or denying coverage for heritage-designated properties.

The motion to reach out to the Province about the issue comes after several homeowners have raised concerns that heritage status made insurance unaffordable or inaccessible. 

While the Province of Ontario claims heritage status alone should not affect premiums, council members say no clear answers for this trend are being provided.

“I really do worry that there will be a heavy backlash in the public against heritage…” Said Councillor Brandon Tozzo. “When we first got on to council, I didn’t hear a single person. Now we have people coming in tears…“ 

Council unanimously supported the motion, which also calls for regulators, insurers, and heritage professionals to investigate the issue and find a fair solution, stressing the need to preserve heritage without putting the excessive financial burden on homeowners.

Listen to the full story here.