Statement: Health insurers take measures to continue coverage for those displaced by the McDougall Creek wildfire in British Columbia

News Release

(Toronto, August 18, 2023) Many residents in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley have been evacuated from their homes due to the wildfire. As a result, some may have lost or left behind their health insurance information or items such as prescription drugs and eyeglasses.

Many health insurers have put in place special measures for health plan members who have left their homes and businesses due to the fires. If you have questions about your group health coverage or need your plan information to replace prescription drugs or other medical items, please contact your insurer. You can find email and phone information for your insurer here: https://www.olhi.ca/for-insurers/member-list/.

Up-to-date information concerning the fires and health related questions can be found on the Emergency Info BC website at https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/.

Those wishing to donate goods or services to support the response to the wildfire emergency can visit the United Way website for British Columbia at https://uwbc.ca/campaign/wildfires/.


About the CLHIA
The CLHIA is a voluntary association whose member companies account for 99 per cent of Canada's life and health insurance business. These insurers provide financial security products including life insurance, annuities (including RRSPs, RRIFs and pensions) and supplementary health insurance to over 29 million Canadians. They hold over $1 trillion in assets in Canada and employ more than 166,000 Canadians.

For more information:
Kevin Dorse
Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs
(613) 691-6001 / kdorse@clhia.ca