Some hungry children in Toronto may soon be deprived of another meal due to concerns related to liability insurance.
This because the Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) just informed its residents that all organizations that gather on TCHC property are required to obtain $5 million worth of liability insurance, according to CBC News.
This policy extends to the Empringham Mews breakfast club, a Malvern community group that provides “much-needed” meals to local children.
"It's vital; there are kids walking around with no breakfast," Neika Lindsay, a volunteer with the organization since 2011, told CBC News.
Lindsay sees this regulation as a threat to the entire operation. The new provision would force the breakfast club to pay an additional $50 per day for liability coverage, even though Lindsay already contributes her own money to make up for budgetary shortfalls.
"That's $250 a week. Our budget alone doesn't even get to $300," she told CBC News. "We just can't simply afford it."
TCHC mandates that private events such as birthday parties and memorials acquire liability insurance as well. A spokesperson with the THC says that the policy is being reviewed, but risk management will remain a priority.
"We're trying to balance the availability of space with the need to protect the corporation and our shareholder – the City of Toronto – from exposure to liability risk," said Lisa Murray.
She also promised to “work something out” with the volunteers since insurance shouldn’t prevent children from receiving food donations.
The problem facing Lindsay is something brokers specialize in solving, with the case presenting industry experts the perfect opportunity to combine work with the pleasure of volunteering.
