Communities across Canada are adapting to a changing climate. Flooding, extreme heat, wildfires and shoreline erosion affect homes and businesses, put pressure on local infrastructure, and add to the costs that families and municipalities carry. Preparing for these risks in advance is one of the most effective ways to keep people safe and to keep those costs from growing.
Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change, and Nature; Shannon Miedema, Member of Parliament; Tim Tierney, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities; and Carole Saab, CEO of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announced 141 climate resilience projects in 128 communities across Canada, 13 of which are being developed in Nova Scotia. These projects are being supported by $34.2 million from the Green Municipal Fund's Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative.
The funding supports adaptation plans, climate-focused asset management, risk assessments, financing studies, and projects that reduce risks to communities, homes and businesses. The Canadian Climate Institute estimates that every dollar spent on climate resilience measures in Canada can save up to $15 in the long term.
For example, Halifax Regional Municipality in Nova Scotia is receiving $785,380 to implement cooling measures in parks to protect residents from extreme heat. The city of Port Coquitlam in British Columbia is receiving $789,600 to advance flood resilient infrastructure. The Regional Municipality of Waterloo in Ontario is receiving $649,870 to mitigate extreme heat for resident housing. The Kanesatake Lands in Quebec is receiving $1,000,000 to implement solutions to reduce flooding. The city of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan is receiving $135,000 to study residential resilience financing programs.
Protecting Canadians from a changing climate means preparing before the next flood or heat wave, not after. Doing that work now keeps people safe, holds down the costs that families and communities carry, and keeps Canada's economy strong and competitive. The Government of Canada will continue to support communities across the country as they build the resilience their residents depend on.
