By: Vestiana Powell | Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Since 2015, Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re have been transformative partners of the Faculty of Environment through Partners for Action (P4A), an applied research initiative dedicated to helping Canadian communities prepare for and adapt to climate-related hazards. As founding funders and ongoing collaborators, these organizations have provided financial support, expertise, and thought leadership, enabling faculty, staff, and students to undertake groundbreaking research and develop practical solutions for disaster resilience and climate adaptation.
Through their partnership with P4A, Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re have helped shape national conversations on flood risk, equity-informed policy, and climate-resilient development. Notable initiatives include:
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FloodSmart Canada: Canada’s first bilingual portal offering comprehensive flood preparedness resources.
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Social Vulnerability Index: Developed with Canadian Red Cross to guide equitable climate adaptation and policy decisions.
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Climate Resilient Retrofits Database: Helping Canadians make informed decisions to adapt their homes to multiple climate hazards.
- Managed Retreat Research: Informing policy changes in Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements and advancing decision-supports for vulnerable communities.
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Multi-sector collaboration: Building networks across governments, NGOs, municipalities, and academic institutions.
Their impact extends well beyond research outputs. Through P4A, dozens of undergraduate and graduate students have gained paid research assistantships, internships, and mentorship opportunities. This has enabled these early career researchers to develop skills in stakeholder engagement, workshop facilitation, GIS and data analysis, grant-writing and public communication. Many students have gone on to careers in municipal, provincial, federal and First Nations organizations, applying lessons learned from P4A projects to advance disaster resilience across Canada.
Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re have also helped secure significant funding for applied projects, enabling national and international collaborations and positioning P4A as a hub for interdisciplinary research and knowledge mobilization. This work has connected faculty, students, and partners to create meaningful, real-world impact.
Recognized nationally for their innovation, sustainability, and social responsibility, Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re exemplify how industry and academia can collaborate to build resilient, equitable communities. Their decade-long commitment to P4A and the Faculty of Environment reflects a dedication not only to advancing research and policy but also to mentoring the next generation of environmental leaders.
Through their vision, leadership, and partnership, Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re have empowered the University of Waterloo to advance sustainability, equity, and community resilience, leaving a legacy that benefits Canadians today and for generations to come.
For these reasons they have been awarded the 2025 Friend of the Faculty Award, which celebrates individuals, companies or organizations who support the Faculty’s mission through volunteerism, promotion, philanthropic leadership, collaboration or active participation.
