Associate Director's Message

"With founding and continued support from The Co-operators and Farm Mutual Re, Partners for Action (P4A) began in 2015 with the mandate to reduce flood risk through research, engagement, and capacity building. From the start, P4A recognized that addressing the needs of those most at risk requires accurate and accessible information about hazards and adaptation. Over the past decade, P4A has led this charge by amplifying the voices of Canadians, identifying systemic barriers faced by marginalized groups, and developing tools to make vulnerability more visible in disaster risk reduction. 

P4A’s evolution mirrors Canada’s growing recognition of the complexity of climate risk. Early efforts focused on public awareness, including the first national survey showing that only 6% of Canadians knew they lived in a flood-prone area. These findings informed the 2017 national Flood Roundtable and contributed to significant federal investments, including $232 million for flood mapping and $3.74 billion for the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. P4A’s research also influenced policy shifts, such as incorporating managed retreat into Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements and embedding equity considerations in federal frameworks. 

As climate hazards became increasingly layered and interconnected, P4A adopted an equity-informed and all-hazards approach. This broadened mandate allowed us to work across regions, with strong presence in British Columbia and Atlantic Canada, while convening a national network of stakeholders.  

We also established P4A as a trusted incubator of talent, supporting over 40 graduate students through research placements, experiential learning, and mentorship. Many have gone on to roles in government, industry, and non-profits, advancing flood resilience across Canada. 

Our collaborative model has made P4A a catalyst for partnerships including universities, insurers, governments, and communities of practice. We created FloodSmart Canada, contributed to CatIQ events and the federal Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation, and provided technical guidance on flood mapping. These and other efforts have strengthened the University of Waterloo’s national reputation for impactful climate research, aligning with its strategic priorities of talent development, global research impact, and sustainable community building. 

As we look forward, the stewardship of this research, and the networks and tools it has generated, is critical. Ensuring the longevity of platforms like FloodSmart Canada and expanding innovations such as risk-based funding for mitigation and inclusive flood insurance are necessary steps. P4A has shown what can be achieved when we bridge research and action. The task now is to sustain and grow this legacy so that Canada is prepared for the realities of a changing climate."