Canada: Twelve organizations selected to help municipalities across the country adapt to the impacts of climate change

Each of FCM's climate adaptation partners will provide expertise and guidance to a network of at least five municipalities that face similar geographic or climate conditions. They will design peer learning networks focused on climate change resilience activities and deliver training specific to their participating municipalities.  

Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change, making this work critical. With this guidance and support, participating municipalities will work with their peers toward similar goals using innovative approaches and solutions to the challenges they face. They will learn how to integrate climate change adaptation into new or existing plans and systems. The result will be a range of products including climate vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans for coastal communities, risk assessment for energy utilities, and cost-analyses of the benefits of integrating natural asset management.  

For example, the Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) will work with six communities in the Outaouais region to develop stormwater management and flood intervention plans that respond to both regional and specific municipal concerns. Conservation Corps in Newfoundland and Labrador will work with the Miawpukek First Nation Reserve and five other communities to develop vulnerability assessments and/or response plans, as well as tools and case studies for future sharing.  

Read the backgrounder for information on all initiatives.

Quotes

"Protecting the environment and growing the economy go hand in hand. The Government of Canada is committed to invest in sustainable infrastructure that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, contributes to a clean growth economy and strengthens the middle class by ensuring communities are healthy and productive places to live. Thanks to the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program, we continue to engage with municipalities across Canada to help build 21st century communities that will provide a high quality of life for generations to come."
— The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

"FCM is proud to help communities lead the way on environmental, social and economic sustainability. After all, municipalities are on the front lines of climate change. This initiative will empower local leaders with skills and tools to build more climate-resilient communities - in ways that can guide and inspire other municipalities across Canada." 
— Jenny Gerbasi, FCM President

Funding for these initiatives comes from FCM's climate adaptation partner grants. These grants are available through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program (MCIP) delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada. MCIP is a five-year, $75-million program designed to support and encourage Canadian municipalities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change.