Canada's National Adaptation Strategy
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| Canada's National Adaptation Strategy | |
|---|---|
| Name | Canada's National Adaptation Strategy |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Announced | 2022 |
Canada's National Adaptation Strategy provides a coordinated approach to strengthening resilience to climate impacts across Canada by aligning federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, municipal, and private actions. The Strategy situates adaptation alongside international commitments made under the Paris Agreement, complements federal instruments such as the Canada–United States relations climate cooperation initiatives, and draws on prior domestic frameworks like the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the Canadian Climate Adaptation Platform. It seeks to integrate adaptation across infrastructure, health, ecosystems, and economic sectors while engaging partners including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Global Affairs Canada, and provincial bodies such as Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.
Background and Rationale
The Strategy responds to increasing climate risks documented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Canada's Changing Climate Report, and provincial assessments like the British Columbia Climate Preparedness and Adaptation Strategy. It builds on landmark events and instruments, including the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, the 2013 Alberta floods, and review findings from the Auditor General of Canada. The rationale also cites international frameworks including the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The document frames adaptation as complementary to mitigation efforts endorsed by leaders at summits like the G7 Summit and the Summit of the Americas.
Development and Stakeholder Engagement
Development of the Strategy involved consultations with stakeholders such as Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, municipal networks like the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and industry groups like the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. Technical input came from organizations including Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Centre for Climate Services, the National Research Council Canada, and the Canadian Institute for Climate Choices. Academic perspectives were represented by universities such as the University of Toronto, McGill University, and the University of British Columbia and research networks like the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium. Consultation processes referenced precedents set by accords such as the Kelowna Accord and engaged regulatory bodies including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
Strategic Goals and Priority Areas
The Strategy sets out goals aligned with frameworks used by agencies such as Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Department of National Defence for critical infrastructure resilience. Priority areas include disaster risk reduction reflected in the National Disaster Mitigation Program, protection of biodiversity highlighted by partnerships with the Parks Canada Agency, water security initiatives similar to work by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and urban resilience promoted through collaborations with the Canadian Institute of Planners and the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Strategy emphasizes health systems resilience referencing the Canadian Medical Association, supply chain continuity with input from Transport Canada, and Indigenous knowledge integration via organizations like National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association.
Policy Measures and Implementation Framework
Policy instruments include regulatory adjustments informed by studies from the Privy Council Office, standards development with the Standards Council of Canada, and procurement policies designed alongside the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Implementation relies on intergovernmental agreements akin to those between Canada and provinces such as Quebec and Alberta, and on program delivery mechanisms modeled after the Investing in Canada Plan. Risk assessment tools draw on methodologies used by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety and the Canadian Standards Association. Cross-sectoral coordination references precedents from the National Energy Board and cooperative mechanisms like the Council of the Federation.
Funding, Financing, and Governance
Funding arrangements combine federal appropriations vetted by the Department of Finance (Canada), targeted programs administered by the Canada Infrastructure Bank, and Indigenous funding streams coordinated with Indigenous Services Canada. The Strategy leverages public–private partnerships following frameworks used by the Business Development Bank of Canada and seeks to mobilize capital from institutional investors such as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board. Governance structures propose roles for the Privy Council Office, cabinet committees parallel to those used for national security, and oversight similar to the Parliamentary Budget Officer review processes. International financing models referenced include mechanisms promoted by the Green Climate Fund and the World Bank.
Monitoring, Reporting, and Evaluation
Monitoring frameworks align with reporting practices of Environment and Climate Change Canada, performance measurement standards from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and evaluation methodologies used by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada. Data sources include observational networks run by Environment Canada, climate modeling from the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis, and health surveillance from the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Strategy envisages periodic reporting to Parliament and stakeholders, informed by peer reviews akin to processes at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and scientific assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Regional and Sectoral Adaptation Plans
The Strategy envisions region-specific plans coordinated with provincial and territorial adaptation strategies such as those of Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Yukon, and sectoral strategies for agriculture aligning with extension services like those at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Coastal adaptation work references case studies from Halifax, Vancouver, and St. John's while northern adaptation incorporates initiatives by the Northern Strategy and Arctic research centers including the ArcticNet network. Sectoral planning integrates transportation resilience exemplified by VIA Rail, energy system adaptations informed by Hydro-Québec, and public health measures coordinated with provincial authorities like Alberta Health Services.