Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy and new investment announced
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On November 24, the Government of Canada released Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy. They also announced an investment of $1.6 billion in new federal funding commitments to help increase adaptation efforts. The funding will help municipalities and townships build public infrastructures of the future, such as roads and bridges, that can withstand flooding, make sure Canadians have access to the information they need to stay safe during wildfires, and enable engagement and work with Indigenous communities on the development of region-specific health initiatives linked to changing climate conditions.
The Strategy is a result of extensive engagement since 2021 and presents a shared vision for climate resilience in Canada and a framework to measure progress nationally. Waterloo Climate Institute members played an invaluable role in the creation of the strategy, participating in four of the five expert advisory tables.
- Peter Berry, member of the Health and Wellbeing advisory table
- Sarah Burch, co-chaired the Strong and Resilient Economy advisory table
- Colleen Mercer Clarke, member of the Thriving Natural Environment advisory table
- Simon Dalby, member of the Disaster Resilience and Security advisory table
- Blair Feltmate, member of the Disaster Resilience and Security advisory table
- Jason Thistlethwaite, member of the Disaster Resilience and Security advisory table
The University of Waterloo was additionally represented by Joanna Eyquem, Managing Director of Climate-Resilient Infrastructure at the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation. She was a member of the Resilient Natural and Built Infrastructure advisory table.
During the first phase of the work, the advisory tables developed the framework of the Strategy, including long-term transformational goals, and medium-term objectives. Now that the strategy has been released, it is open to the provinces, territories, and National Indigenous Organizations for a final 90 days of engagement on its common goals and specific measurable targets and objectives before being finalized. To find out more, read the National Adaptation Strategy.
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