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CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘We're going to have to rebuild our life': Family's home burns after cancelling home insurance
As wildfires destroy homes and structures, many face mounting uninsured losses. Allison Bamford reports on the growing financial toll. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Tessa Santana faced an unthinkable dilemma last year. Does she pay for house insurance or feed her family? 'We weren't in a good place,' Santana told CTV News. 'It's not that I never had house insurance. Last year was tough financially on us.' Santana, a mother and grandmother, opted to cancel her insurance, never imagining the following year her northern Saskatchewan community would be threatened by wildfires. Their home of 20 years, where they watched their kids and grandkids grow, burned down just north of La Ronge in early June. The fire killed most of their animals, including their two dogs and a donkey. 'That's something I've got to live with,' she said. 'We're going to have to rebuild our life.' Today, Sanatana and her husband Leonardo find themselves three hours south in Rosthern, Sask., at the Valley Regional Park Campground. They've been living in their trailer with their 11-year-old dog Coco for the last six weeks. 'We love camping. It feels like an extended camping trip,' she said. 'However, then when reality does hit you and you're like, 'this is our home.'' Santana still gets emotional at times. But she says they are fortunate to have the things they do. There's a TV and reclining chairs in the trailer. They've converted the shower into a closet for storage, and at night they sleep in a king-sized bed. 'We are not really just camping. We are glamping,' she said. 'We're making it as homey as we can.' But it's hard to settle in, she said. At their current site, they have extension cords running from the trailer to an outlet at the site over for power access. They've had to move campsites several times due to other park bookings. 'It's tiring, it really is. But we're thankful we got to move within Rosthern Regional Park and we didn't have to go and finding something else,' she said. The Santanas don't know where they'll end up. The campground will be their home for the summer, but they hope to at least be renting a place by the time the snow flies. Leonardo, who had retired from the mining industry, will return to work Monday. The couple is saving up to buy or build a new home one day. When they do get a house, insurance will be a top priority, Santana said. And she hopes they won't ever be put in this position again. 'But if it ever came down to it again, feeding my family or buying insurance, every time I'm going to feed my family,' Santana said. The insurance gap The Santanas are not alone. Several insurance brokers told CTV News they've received calls from uninsured and underinsured clients who've lost property this wildfire season. A rule of thumb, known as the insurance gap, suggests that for every $1 in insured losses, there are $3 to $4 in uninsured losses borne by homeowners, businesses and governments. Last year was the costliest year on record for severe weather-related losses in Canada, reaching $8.5 billion in insured losses. Following the insurance gap rule, that puts uninsured losses between $25.5 billion to $34 billion. 'For government, that's money coming out of budgets for hospitals, schools and infrastructure development. For businesses, that's money coming out of budgets for business expansion, equipment upgrades and employee compensation,' said Kathryn Bakos, managing director of finance and resilience at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation. Bakos said losses can be less if adaptations are made prior to an extreme weather event, including moving combustible materials away from the house and using fire resistant siding and roofing. 'If you put what's called fire smart actions into place, 15 actions around the house, you could potentially reduce the chance of your home burning down by 50 to 75 per cent,' Bakos said.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
‘It can be quite alienating': Islanders react to happiness poll that ranks P.E.I. last
Despite its scenic charm, a new survey ranks P.E.I. lowest in national happiness, leaving many Islanders surprised. CTV's Maria Sarrouh reports. You wouldn't guess it from the boardwalk chatter in Charlottetown, or the smiles in bloom on a sunny afternoon, but Prince Edward Island has ranked last in a national poll on happiness. A recent Leger internet survey of nearly 40,000 Canadians asked respondents to rate their happiness on a scale from zero to 100. Islanders reported an average score of 66.5 per cent, the lowest of any province. By comparison, Quebec came out on top at 72.4 per cent. While some Islanders are brushing it off, others say the ranking reflects deeper issues, from cost-of-living struggles to social isolation. 'That's pure lie. We're very happy people,' said Michelle O'Hanley at the Victoria Park boardwalk. 'Quality of life is really good, so that surprises me,' added Jessica O'Hanley. 'Everything kind of slows down here, people enjoy life,' Chris Carsten said while on a stroll with his family. 'You almost never get a traffic jam,' said Tracy Nguyen. While the province is often seen as postcard perfect, some residents say daily life does come with real pressures. 'It's not a cheap place to live as far as groceries and rent, and income isn't as high as other cities,' said Pius MacPhee. 'Crossing the bridge. And accessibility to metro cities,' added Dhvanit Upadhyay, listing challenges he faces. Suggestion: Listing the challenges he faces, Dhvanit Upadhyay cited 'crossing the bridge' and 'accessibility to metro cities.' Statistics Canada data shows that in the first quarter of 2025, 48.5 per cent of Islanders rated their life satisfaction between eight and 10 out of 10 - nearly identical to the national average of 48.6 per cent. Still, the Leger results have sparked a broader conversation about what well-being looks like in smaller communities. Michael Arfken, an associate psychology professor at the University of Prince Edward Island, said the results reflect what many are feeling, from limited access to family doctors, to struggles with work and wages. He added that the province's size can be both a blessing and a curse. 'A lot of people that have grown up on this Island feel a sense of connection and a sense of community,' he said. 'On the flip side, if you're new here and don't have those established relationships, it can be quite alienating.' For some Islanders, gratitude for the simple pleasures goes a long way. 'I woke up this morning, and my feet touched the floor, I knew I was alive. And I was going to make the most of today,' said Kenny Tierney, back on the boardwalk. On the UPEI campus, a chalk smile drawn on the pavement offered a quiet reminder that joy can still be found all around.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Northern Ont. 2SLGBTQ+ youth camp in crisis after losing key donation
A northern Ontario summer camp for youth that identify as 2SLGBT+ says it's in crisis. It's getting requests from campers at the same time it's lost funding. A northern Ontario summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ youth says it is struggling to meet a surge in demand while facing a critical drop in funding. Rainbow Camp An undate aerial image of Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) Rainbow Camp, located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron, has operated since 2012, offering a week-long retreat for youth aged 12 to 17. This year, organizers say they've been inundated with requests from campers – many of whom come from rural and isolated communities where they face rejection or lack support. 'There's this need for belonging, and we offer it,' said Harry Stewart, the camp's co-founder and president of the Welcome Friend Association. 'Not all families are behind their child under the rainbow.' Harry Stewart Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp and president of the Welcome Friend Association, speaks with CTV News via Zoom in July 2025. (Angela Gemmill/CTV News Northern Ontario) Camp sees surge in applicants as corporate funding dries up Stewart said the camp is now in crisis as corporate donations – particularly from U.S.-linked companies – have 'dwindled or are not there.' 'Larger corporations that have anything to do with the United States have really backed off in funding because of the whole diversity thing that's going on there … they feel they're being monitored,' he said. A lifeline for queer youth Rainbow Camp Arrivals An undated photo of youths arriving at Rainbow Camp, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay on the shores of Lake Huron. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) The camp, which was recently awarded the Governor General's Meritorious Service Medal, provides a rare safe space for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, many of whom describe it as life-changing. Daniel, a former camper turned counsellor, recalled his first experience at Rainbow Camp in 2019. Daniel - Rainbow Camp Councillor Daniel, a former Rainbow Camp attendee turned counsellor, is shown wearing a flower crown during camp councillor training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) 'I didn't realize how much of a weight I'd been carrying at that point – of my identity and my identity getting in the way of who I was and who I was interacting with,' he said. 'But I remember showing up and suddenly that weight was lifted, and I was like, 'Okay, I'm good.' You don't even realize the difference it makes until it's there.' Now, as a counsellor, Daniel sees the growing need firsthand. 'It's wonderful seeing how many people are now feeling safer to come out and explore their identities,' he said. 'I'm not surprised that there's more interest being shown – because we need that.' Camp councillors - Rainbow Camp Camp councillors for Rainbow Camp training in July 2025. (Rainbow Camp/Facebook) Stewart shared a recent example of a camper who was pulled from attending after their family learned the camp affirms 2SLGBTQ+ identities – a situation that underscores the camp's role as a refuge. The organization said the child's protection worker feared for the youth's safety. 'This is why Rainbow Camp exists – and why we need your help,' he said. Urgent call for support Despite the rising demand, the camp has raised just $40,000 of its $100,000 operating goal for this summer. Stewart warned that without immediate help, they may have to turn youth away. In an email to CTV News, the camp's co-founder emphasized the stakes: 'Rainbow Camp is in crisis. The demand for camper sponsorships has soared, and our funding cannot keep up. Unless immediate support is found, we may be forced to turn youth away, or worse.' — Harry Stewart, the co-founder of Rainbow Camp Rainbow Camp is now appealing to the public for donations and support to raise awareness. 'This would be devastating,' Stewart said. 'Many of our campers come from communities where queer youth often feel isolated. Rainbow Camp is the only place some of them feel safe to be who they are.' Rainbow Camp activities An undated photo of youths participating in Rainbow Camp activities, a 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive youth camp located near Echo Bay, Ont. (Supplied/Rainbow Camp) For more information on Rainbow Camp or how to offer support, visit their social media page.
