The federal government is putting $34.2 million into 141 climate resilience projects in 128 communities across Canada, funding work ranging from climate-risk studies to drainage upgrades, shoreline restoration and extreme-heat protection.
The investment, announced Aug. 12 by Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), is being delivered through the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. The broader program was launched in 2024 with $530 million in federal funding and is expected to support more than 1,400 municipal activities by 2031.
Funding Moves Beyond Planning
A significant portion of the newly announced funding will go towards planning, including climate adaptation plans, infrastructure risk assessments, asset-management strategies and feasibility studies. However, the federal project list also includes dozens of implementation projects involving physical work.
In British Columbia, Port Coquitlam will receive $789,600 for flood-resilient infrastructure, while the Capital Regional District is receiving $898,200 for shoreline restoration at Coles Bay. The Regional District of Nanaimo has been awarded $508,220 to improve potable water supply for Surfside residents.
Victoria will receive $42,700 to install misting stations at resilience hubs to help residents cope with extreme heat. Vancouver is getting $600,000 for heat-mitigation and air-purifying measures at four non-market housing buildings.
Drainage and Flood Protection Get Major Investments
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Ontario projects include $696,220 for erosion control and slope stabilization at Barrie’s Hurst Bridge and $844,100 for flood-resilience work at the Ganaraska Road crossing in Durham Region. Norfolk County will receive $213,640 for flood-resilience improvements at the Nelson Street Water Treatment Plant.
On the Prairies, Battleford, Saskatchewan, is receiving $799,920 for downtown drainage improvements, while Fort Qu’Appelle will get $999,600 for drainage work along Company Avenue. Saskatoon has been awarded $598,610 to upgrade the Pinehouse Drive outfall.
Edmonton will receive $684,920 to implement a fuel-reduction pilot program, while Lethbridge will get $828,000 for a climate-resilient active transportation pathway between Lethbridge and Coaldale.
Coastal and Heat Resilience Also Included
Atlantic Canada will also see several physical adaptation projects. Halifax Regional Municipality is receiving $785,380 to introduce cooling measures in parks, while the Town of Woody Point, Newfoundland and Labrador, will receive $896,290 for wharf upgrades as part of a waterfront revitalization project.
In New Brunswick, Salisbury will receive $895,890 to build a naturalized retention pond and wetland, while Hampton will receive $704,130 for naturalized flood-adaptation measures.
Ontario is receiving the largest regional share of the announcement at nearly $8.9 million, followed by Atlantic Canada at about $8.1 million, the Prairies at $7.1 million and British Columbia at $6.3 million.
Research from the Canadian Climate Institute estimates that proactively adapting public infrastructure to rising heat and heavier rainfall could save governments up to $9 billion annually in infrastructure costs.
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