Mobility under pressure
Climate displacement is no longer a distant risk. The Insurance Bureau projects 1.2 million Canadians could be forced to relocate by 2050 due to floods, fires, and sea-level rise.
| Region | At-Risk Population (000s) | Top Hazard | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.C. Interior | 220 | Wildfire | IBC 2025 |
| Atlantic Canada | 180 | Coastal flooding | NRCan |
| Prairies | 340 | Drought & heat | ECCC |
| Northern Territories | 65 | Permafrost thaw | NRC 2025 |
Economic implications
- Housing and insurance markets face geographic repricing.
- Labour migration from affected regions will reshape municipal planning.
- Infrastructure investment must pivot to relocation and resilience, not only mitigation.
What leaders can do
- Integrate climate migration into workforce and real-estate strategy.
- Invest in adaptive infrastructure (elevated assets, flood-proof facilities).
- Support regional retraining programs. Labour mobility equals resilience.
- Model insurance exposure in capital planning.
Arcus Insight: Internal migration will redefine regional economies. Adaptability will separate prepared organizations from displaced ones.