A rapid snow melt or heavy rain on sodden frozen ground can lead to flooding in low-lying areas. In 2023, 4% of households, or approximately 673,600 households across Canada, reported that their homes were at a very high or moderately high risk of flooding.
Approximately 7% of households in Nova Scotia reported being at moderately high risk of flooding in 2023, the highest rate among the provinces, compared with 2% of households in Quebec and British Columbia, the lowest rate.
Canada’s two largest cities are not immune, with 4% of the households in Toronto and 3% of those in Montréal believing their homes were at a moderately high risk of flooding in 2023.
Meanwhile, just over two-thirds (68%) of Canadian households reported having little or no concern about flooding, ranging from 79% of households in Quebec to 61% of those in Manitoba.
In Manitoba, much of the population live in the Red River drainage basin, which is prone to spring flooding, including the occasional great flood, the most recent of which took place in the spring of 2011.
Contact information
For more information, contact the Statistical Information Service (toll-free 1-800-263-1136; 514-283-8300; infostats@statcan.gc.ca) or Media Relations (statcan.mediahotline-ligneinfomedias.statcan@statcan.gc.ca).