Safest place to live in Canada from natural disasters

As someone who has always valued safety and security, especially when it comes to where I live, I knew I had to do thorough research before deciding where to settle in Canada.

The increasing impact of climate change and the growing frequency of natural disasters like wildfires, floods, and winter storms only heightened my concerns.

The aftermath of these disasters can be devastating, resulting in loss of life, property damage, and the disruption of entire communities.

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For example, I remember vividly the news coverage of the Fort McMurray wildfire in Alberta, in 2016.

It was one of the largest and costliest disasters in Canadian history.

The fire forced the evacuation of over 88,000 people, destroyed around 2,400 buildings, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure and natural resources.

The economic impact was staggering, estimated to be over CAD 9 billion, making it one of the most expensive natural disasters in the country’s history.

This disaster opened my eyes to why location matters when choosing where to live in Canada.

And it wasn’t just the wildfires that caught my attention. In 2013, severe flooding in Alberta caused an estimated CAD 5 billion in damages

Then, in 2019, flooding in Quebec and New Brunswick resulted in widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure.

Even Hurricane Dorian, in 2019, caused widespread damage in Nova Scotia – these are perfect examples of the risks posed by natural disasters.

Power outages affected hundreds of thousands of people, showing just how vulnerable some regions can be.

Winter storms are another natural disaster that can be tough to deal with in Canada.

The country’s harsh winter weather often leads to heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and ice storms.

These storms have caused numerous power outages, property damage, and transportation disruptions in various regions.

Events like these made me realize the importance of choosing a location that offers some protection from nature’s unpredictability.

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A place that isn’t prone to these events offers you a level of protection, and interestingly, Canada has places that are safer from natural disasters than others.

They include:

The safest place to live in Canada from natural disasters

The safest places to live in Canada from natural disasters include:

Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, the capital of Canada, is my preferred place, and I can’t emphasise this enough.

The city is located in the Eastern part of Ontario, away from the coast. And,  has a low risk of natural disasters.

It is sheltered from the threats of hurricanes, tsunamis, and other coastal disasters that often impact coastal cities – which for me, is very amazing.

While earthquakes are relatively rare in Eastern Canada compared to other parts of the country, Ottawa has a low seismic hazard level.

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From my understanding, Ottawa is not located near any major fault lines, which reduces the risk of earthquakes and its partners in crime (other natural disasters).

In addition to its low risk of coastal disasters and earthquakes, Ottawa is not prone to major floods.

I know the city is built around the Ottawa River and is close to other bodies of water, but, it has a well-developed system of flood mitigation measures.

You’ll find dams and levees, which help to manage water levels and minimize the risk of flooding – this gives me peace of mind about the city.

Whitehorse, Yukon

A surprise name on the list, right? Whitehorse was a discovery for me too.

When I first read about Whitehorse, I was intrigued by its reputation for being relatively safe from natural disasters.

It’s the capital city of the Yukon Territory, and although it might seem remote, natural disasters will be the least of your worries if you live here.

With its cold subarctic climate and low precipitation, Whitehorse is relatively safe from floods and wildfires.

Plus, the region’s low seismic activity adds another layer of safety.

I was impressed by the city’s infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures, which are well-developed for such a small city.

Quebec City, Quebec

On the French-speaking side is Quebec City. Its old-world charm and history made it a place I wanted to explore, but I also appreciated its stability when it came to natural disasters.

The city sits on a region with a relatively stable tectonic plate, therefore, it is not prone to earthquakes, unlike other parts of Canada or other countries located along fault lines.

The city also fares well on other types of natural disasters, like volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and wildfires.

From what I found, these types of events are not prevalent in the region – the risk of them occurring is very low.

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In terms of weather-related natural disasters, Quebec City also fares relatively well.

Even though it experiences four distinct seasons, with cold winters and warm summers, it is not located in a region prone to extreme weather events like hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe thunderstorms.

While in the city, I witnessed some snowfall during the winter months, but they’re usually well-prepared to manage snow removal and have the necessary infrastructure to mitigate any potential issues.

The city also benefits from robust infrastructure and building codes that help mitigate the risks associated with natural disasters.

I found that the city’s buildings are constructed to withstand typical weather conditions, like snow loads and freezing temperatures, making them remain resilient in the face of challenges.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Winnipeg, the capital of Manitoba, is another city that surprisingly, caught my attention.

If you spend time here, you’ll fall in love with this city.

It’s not located in a seismic zone and is not prone to coastal disasters like hurricanes, tsunamis and others.

Although Manitoba can experience severe weather conditions like blizzards, Winnipeg’s relatively low risk of these events makes it a safer place to live.

Plus, the city’s infrastructure is built to handle winter storms, which adds to its safety profile.

If Ottawa didn’t exist, I don’t mind living in Winnipeg.

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia and despite being located on the coast, the city has a low risk of natural disasters.

While it is more prone to hurricanes compared to others here, its geographical location helps reduce the severity of these events.

To add to its advantage, Halifax is not prone to major floods and you can seldom hear about earthquakes and tsunamis.

Another standout feature of Halifax is its robust emergency preparedness measures.

You’ll enjoy living here – I had a great time here even though I stayed for only four months.

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, is another gem you should know about.

The city has witnessed fewer natural disasters compared to many other parts of the country.

Victoria enjoys a mild climate and is not prone to tsunamis, hurricanes or major floods.

Although earthquakes are a concern in British Columbia, Victoria has a relatively low risk compared to other parts of the province.

You won’t be wrong to call it the safest place from natural disasters in British Columbia.

St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador

St. John’s is located on the Eastern coast of Newfoundland island, and, hasn’t experienced many natural disasters.

While Newfoundland and Labrador do experience extreme weather conditions like winter storms, St. John’s is on the opposite side.

It has a relatively low risk of these events, making it a safer option for living.

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Frankly, I love Charlottetown. It is the capital city of Prince Edward Island and another city that you can trust if you want to avoid natural disasters.

The island province has a maritime climate, with moderate temperatures and a low risk of severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.

Charlottetown is also not prone to earthquakes or volcanic activity – if you’re considering living here, you have nothing to worry about.

It’s a safe place to live in terms of natural disasters.

The city’s well-maintained infrastructure and emergency preparedness measures also make it safer.

Regina, Saskatchewan

Regina (the capital city of Saskatchewan) is another city that stands out for its low risk of natural disasters.

The region has a dry prairie climate with low precipitation, reducing the risk of floods and wildfires.

Like Charlottetown and St. John’s, it is not prone to earthquakes or volcanic activity.

Personally, this is another city I admire, I stayed here for just two during my program and I loved every day I spent here.

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What sets Regina apart is its strong community spirit and proactive approach to emergency issues.

The city’s residents are known for their resilience and active involvement in emergency response efforts.

With dedicated emergency services, Regina is one of the safest places to live in Canada.

If you want to move to Canada and aren’t ready to worry about natural disasters, these places are good options.

Are natural disasters common in Canada?

Natural disasters are not very common in Canada but they occur, and their frequency and severity depend on the region and nature. 

Some common natural disasters that occur in Canada are wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and winter storms.

Wildfires are common in western Canada, particularly in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, due to the dry climate and dense forests in those regions. 

Floods occur in different parts, particularly in areas with high precipitation or snowmelt, like along rivers or in coastal areas. 

Hurricanes and tornadoes occur in regions of Eastern Canada, especially in Atlantic Canada and the prairie provinces. 

Other disasters like Winter storms, including blizzards and ice storms, (they don’t occur often) also affect parts of Canada during the winter months.

What natural disaster kills the most people in Canada?

Historically, flooding has been the natural disaster that has caused the most fatalities in Canada.

Flooding occurs due to heavy rainfall, snowmelt, ice jams, or storm surges along coastal areas.

In 2013, Alberta experienced widespread flooding that resulted in multiple fatalities and caused significant damage to communities and infrastructure.

Similarly, in 2017, severe flooding in Quebec and Ontario led to fatalities and significant damage to homes and infrastructure.

If you’re looking for the safest place to live in Canada from natural disasters, cities like Victoria, St. John’s, and Ottawa stand out.

Meanwhile, cities like Regina and Winnipeg have lower risks of earthquakes and hurricanes but are more prone to winter storms. 

In addition, cities in northern Ontario, like Thunder Bay, have lower risks of major natural disasters but experience seasonal flooding.

While we hope that Canada does not experience any of these natural disasters again, it doesn’t hurt to choose less-prone areas to live in.