Government funds climate actions in Ontario

The funds are part of a $39.5 million climate adaptation effort

Government funds climate actions in Ontario

Insurance News

By Rod Bolivar

The Canadian government is investing over $4.5 million in nine projects across southern Ontario aimed at enhancing the country’s resilience to climate change.

The funding is focused on equipping businesses, communities, and professionals with the tools and knowledge to adapt to increasingly severe weather events like floods, wildfires, and heatwaves.

The $4.5 million funding is part of a larger $39.5 million commitment under the Climate Change Adaptation Program and the Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program, supporting the objectives of the National Adaptation Strategy.

"The impacts associated with climate change — including intense wildfires, devastating floods, stronger tropical storms and hurricanes, and permafrost thaw in the north — are being felt environmentally and economically in every single region of Canada. That is why this federal government is acting now to help our communities and our economy prepare for and protect against the threat of climate change," said Jonathan Wilkinson, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources.

Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, said that the projects will support sectors across the country in developing practical strategies to manage climate risks, with an emphasis on local needs and specific vulnerabilities.

The funded projects include a range of beneficiaries working on innovative adaptation strategies. The Waterloo Climate Institute is using the funding to enhance professional training for engineers, architects, and planners to ensure future infrastructure is climate resilient.

The Canadian Water Network is developing adaptive planning pathways for water utilities to manage risks tied to unpredictable climate shocks. Meanwhile, the Tamarack Institute is supporting community-wide adaptation efforts, equipping municipalities with tools and strategies to implement equitable solutions.

Other beneficiaries include Climes Group Engineering, which has created an accessible climate hazard and response tool for homeowners, and the Canadian Society of Landscape Architects, which is empowering professionals with knowledge to design adaptive landscapes. Collaborative energy sector initiatives, such as those led by EPRI International, and academic research at McMaster University are also among the projects funded.

With the country increasingly facing the effects of climate change, what additional steps should be taken to support communities in building resilience? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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