Wawanesa launches new community impact program

Wawanesa Mutual Insurance has announced the launch of a $2 million annual community impact program aimed at supporting climate resiliency efforts across the country.

Called the Wawanesa Climate Champions, this program will provide funding to individuals and organizations working to help communities withstand the challenges posed by climate change.

Wawanesa president and CEO Jeff Goy said the initiative is part of the company’s commitment to climate resiliency.

“Climate resiliency is a growing need we see in every community,” said Goy. “As a mutual insurer, our goal is to have a positive impact in supporting mitigation and adaptiveness in communities to improve their climate resiliency. It’s an exciting next step in our long legacy of being there for our communities in times of need.”

According to a press release, Wawanesa Climate Champions will provide financial support to three pillars of climate action:

• Environmental Guardians - conservationists, farmers, and Indigenous Peoples who are actively engaged in implementing nature-based solutions for climate resiliency
• Community Protectors: disaster preventers, responders, and rebuilders who are working to protect people and communities from climate-related disasters
• Youth Stewards: next generation of leaders who are taking action to improve community climate resilience

The program has also secured several community partners, including the Youth Climate Lab, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Tree Canada, New Acre Project by ALUS, Nature Force by Ducks Unlimited Canada, Nature Conservancy of Canada, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), FireSmart Canada, Farmers for Climate Solutions, Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), and the Canadian Red Cross.

In conjunction with the program’s launch, Wawanesa has released a short video showcasing the “spirit and intent” of its commitment to climate resiliency, which can be viewed here.

Wawanesa’s climate resilience efforts

The Wawanesa Climate Champions program builds upon the company’s long-standing history of charitable initiatives, which spans over 125 years. It is part of a broader $3.5 million community impact program that includes an annual company-wide United Way campaign, volunteer initiatives, and other community support programs.

Moreover, the newly launched program aligns with Wawanesa’s strengthened focus on sustainability and climate resiliency in its business operations.

Last year, Wawanesa introduced its Stronger Home and Eco-Friendly products, designed to assist members in making their properties more resilient in the aftermath of a loss.

Additionally, the company’s community wildfire prevention grants have been supporting communities in safeguarding themselves against the threat of wildfires.

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