Webinar – Understanding Climate Risk
| Title: | Expert Series – Understanding Climate Risk |
|---|---|
| Location: | Delivered in an interactive Zoom environment |
| Start date: | 16 July, 2025 |
| Cost: | $0.00 for members |
As the effects of climate change become more evident, the mortgage industry faces increasing pressure to incorporate climate risk into decision-making processes. This webinar will explore the growing importance of climate risk in the mortgage sector, offering mortgage brokers valuable insights on how to navigate this complex issue. It will cover the types of climate risks and their potential impacts on property values, insurance, and lending practices. The session will also discuss what may come in terms of regulatory changes related to climate risk disclosures and best practices. *we could include tips for mortgage brokers to enhance the value they provide to homebuyers in relation to climate risk.
Key Topics:
- Introduction to climate risk
- How climate risk can affect property values, insurance costs, and loan portfolios.
- Regulatory requirements and standards surrounding climate risk for financial institutions.
- Practical tools and strategies for brokers to assist clients.
Speakers:
- Chris Chopik, Climate Risk Specialist – Provides a foundational understanding of physical and transition climate risks, how these risks are evolving, and what brokers need to be watching for in the years ahead.
- Kristina Morrison, Mortgage Lender Representative – Shares how lenders are incorporating climate risk into underwriting and risk management, what they expect from brokers, and how lending decisions are shifting in response to environmental threats.
- Derrick Leue, Insurance Industry Expert – Offers a broker-focused perspective on how climate risk is driving changes in insurance premiums, coverage availability, and client risk profiles—especially in high-risk regions or property types.
- Peter Solymosi, Mortgage Broker Representative – Focuses on climate-related regulatory developments specifically within the mortgage industry, including disclosure requirements and the impacts on mortgage policy.
PANEL OF SPEAKERS
Chris Chopik
Climate Foresight Strategist | Director, Resilient Homes Canada
Chris Chopik is a nationally recognized expert in climate risk, real estate, and housing policy. With a Master’s in Strategic Foresight and Innovation from OCAD University, Chris has led cutting-edge research on how climate change impacts property values and created the original Climate Change Risk Index. He advises governments, industry leaders, and homeowners on climate resilience, sustainable housing, and infrastructure strategy. Currently, he serves as Director at Resilient Homes Canada, helping shape the future of climate-resilient housing in Canada.
Derrick Leue
President and CEO of PROLINK
Derrick Leue is the President and CEO of PROLINK—Canada’s Insurance Connection, an independent insurance brokerage established in 1982. Derrick is a registered insurance broker with an Honors degree in commerce from McMaster University and has been with PROLINK for 20 years. As CMBA-BC’s official Affinity Partner for Commercial and Personal Insurance, Derrick and his team have been assisting members with their Errors & Omissions, D&O, and Cyber Liability Insurance needs for over 12 years.
Kristina Morrison
Director, Regional Sales BC at First National Financial LP
Kristina Morrison began her mortgage career with First National 19 years ago; starting in underwriting, naturally moving to business development, and currently leads the BC sales team as the Regional Sales Manager. Kristina is especially passionate about continued education in the broker channel and has contributed to the BC Lenders Group since its inception, providing training and growth opportunities to new brokers throughout the industry. While she’s not supporting her team, you’ll find her spending time with her family.
Peter Solymosi
Co-Founder of the Mortgage Life
Peter Solymosi completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of British Columbia in 1999 specializing in accounting and economics. After realizing that accounting wasn’t his jam he worked in the insurance industry for nearly a decade. Then he made the move to banking and worked in small business and commercial lending. From there he moved into the mortgage industry and took a role as general manager at White House Mortgages and has been working in mortgage lending ever since. In 2022 Peter and his broker partners started a podcast called the Mortgage Life in which they have down-to-earth conversations about mortgages with the goal of creating a library of mortgage related topics for consumers.
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What our past attendees have to say about the Expert Series Webinars
All of the speakers and the content was useful and educational!
Excellent, extremely valuable, and pertinent in today’s climate.
Important information learned from the Q and A session.