An Introduction for Canadian Municipalities Aussi disponible en français sous le titre : S’adapter aux changements climatiques : Une introduction à l’intention des municipalités canadiennes Information contained in this publication or product may be reproduced, in part or in whole, and by any means, for personal or public non-commercial purposes, without charge or further permission, unless otherwise specified. You are asked to: • exercise due diligence in ensuring the accuracy of the materials reproduced; • indicate the complete title of the materials reproduced, and the name of the author organization; and • indicate that the reproduction is a copy of an official work that is published by the Government of Canada and that the reproduction has not been produced in affiliation with, or with the endorsement of, the Government of Canada. Commercial reproduction and distribution is prohibited except with written permission from the Government of Canada’s copyright administrator, Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC). For more information, contact PWGSC at 613-996-6886 or at [email protected]. Cat. No. M174-6/2010E (Print) ISBN 978-1-100-17238-5 Cat. No. M174-6/2010E-PDF (On-line) ISBN 978-1-100-17239-2 © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2010 Her Majesty is not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in the reproduced material. Her Majesty shall at all times be indemnified and held harmless against any and all claims whatsoever arising out of negligence or other fault in the use of the information contained in this publication or product. Recommended citation: Richardson, G. R. A. (2010). Adapting to Climate Change: An Introduction for Canadian Municipalities. Ottawa, Ont.. Natural Resources Canada, 40 p. Front cover photographs courtesy of: Insets left to right: The Corporation of Delta, Michaël Rheault, Armand Robichaud and Rob Leavoy Photography Main: Derek Halstead-Silver Preface The impacts of changing climate are already evident in This book is an update and expansion of the document Canada and globally. Scientific understanding of climate published in 2006 by the Canadian Climate Impacts and change indicates that Canada will experience significant Adaptation Research Network (Mehdi, 2006) under the shifts in weather patterns over the period of a single same title. It provides municipal decision-makers and staff generation, a trend that will likely continue for several with information to help them understand the need for centuries. Communities of all sizes will face many new climate change adaptation and how to put adaptation risks and opportunities. Managing the impacts of a measures in place. The book also refers to other guides changing climate will require developing local strategies. that can help municipalities identify and address risks and opportunities, and to case studies that illustrate how The anticipated impacts of climate change include drought; municipalities of varying sizes from across the country reduced quality of surface waters; a higher incidence of are taking action now. vector-borne diseases; more frequent heat waves resulting in reduced air quality and high human discomfort in Each case study outlines the impact of changing climate on urban centres; and an increase in storm surge flooding in the community, the catalyst for developing a plan, the plan- coastal regions. For many municipalities, the change in the making process, measures adopted, next steps and lessons frequency and severity of extremes in weather – such as learned. The case studies illustrate the value in collaborating intense precipitation, heavy winds or ice storms, as well with non-traditional partners and demonstrate practical as seasonal variations in the water supply – are a major measures that other municipalities facing similar issues concern. The greatest warming is expected to occur in might take to enhance community resilience in the face the North. Resource-based and Aboriginal communities, of a changing climate. which generally have economies closely tied to the natural environment and local climate variability, are particularly vulnerable. Anticipating the effects of climate change and taking actions before major impacts occur is an effective strategy to manage climate risk and reduce a community’s overall vulnerability. Adaptation involves making changes in decisions, activities and thinking in response to observed or expected changes in climate. Governments, individuals, industry and community groups can all take adaptive actions to reduce potential harm and to take advantage of new opportunities. Possible adaptation actions are tremendously wide ranging and may involve using new technologies, adjusting planning and investment practices, and revising regulations. Adaptation measures can also help achieve other municipal sustainability goals and should not be considered only as stand-alone actions to address climate change. A d A pting to Clim A t e C h A n g e — i Acknowledgements PrinciPal author le Goulet Gregory R.A. Richardson, Climate Change Impacts and • Omer Chouinard, Université de Moncton Adaptation Division, Natural Resources Canada • Benjamin Kocyla, Commission d’aménagement de la Péninsule acadienne • Madeleine Roussel, Village de Le Goulet The author thanks the many contributors who generously shared their knowledge and time to review the manuscript. london • Devin Causley, Federation of Canadian Municipalities • Berta Krichker, City of London • Neil Comer, Environment Canada • Slobodan P. Simonovic, University of Western Ontario • Paul Egginton, Natural Resources Canada • Jenny Fraser, British Columbia Ministry of Environment metro vancouver • Linda Harvey, City of Calgary • Brent Burton, Metro Vancouver • Birgit Isernhagen, City of Ottawa • Robert Hicks, Metro Vancouver • Ewa Ciuk-Jackson, ICLEI Canada • Sarah Howie, Corporation of Delta • Stan Kavalinas, Ministry of Sustainable Resource • Harald Fograscher, Corporation of Delta Development, Alberta • Mark Wellman, Metro Vancouver • Pamela Kertland, Natural Resources Canada • Albert van Roodselaar, Metro Vancouver • Don Lemmen, Natural Resources Canada • Ed von Euw, Metro Vancouver • Kyle McKenzie, Nova Scotia Environment • Veronica Mossop, Natural Resources Canada Quebéc city • José Otero, McGill School of Urban Planning • Michelle Poirier, Natural Resources Canada • Matthieu Alibert, Québec City • Caroline Larrivée, Ouranos annaPolis royal reGina • Amery Boyer, Town of Annapolis Royal • Stephen Hawboldt, Clean Annapolis River Project • Fred Clipsham, Regina City Council • Tim Webster, Centre of Geographic Sciences • Dorian Wandzura, City of Regina • Ken Wiens, City of Regina clyde river toronto • Beate Bowron, Canadian Institute of Planners • Shari Gearheard, University of Colorado at Boulder • Stephanie Gower, Toronto Public Health • David Mate, Natural Resources Canada • Lisa King, City of Toronto • Froeydis Reinhart, Department of Environment (Nunavut) • David MacLeod, City of Toronto • Elaine Pacheco, Toronto Public Health edmonton • Jennifer Penney, Clean Air Partnership • Jeannette Wheeler, City of Edmonton Some of the content of this book was published in the 2006 edition. The Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation halifax Division of Natural Resources Canada gratefully acknowledges • John Charles, Halifax Regional Municipality the many contributors to the first edition, including • Donald L. Forbes, Natural Resources Canada the editor, Bano Mehdi; the lead authors, Bano Mehdi, • Richard MacLellan, Halifax Regional Municipality Charles Mrena and Al Douglas; and the contributing authors, • Roger Wells, Halifax Regional Municipality Liette Connolly-Boutin, Robin Sydneysmith, Kathryn Parlee, François Morneau, Geneviève Leroux, Jamal Shirley, John Streicker and Kyle McKenzie. KamlooPs • Kelly Johnston, City of Kamloops ii — A d A p t ing to Clim A t e C h A n g e Contents Preface .......................................................................................................................................................... i Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................................ii Chapter 1: an introduCtion to Climate Change adaptation ................2 Chapter 2: Climate Change adaptation and muniCipal deCision making ......................................................................5 Chapter 3: Case studies: integrating Climate Change Considerations into muniCipal deCision making ......................................9 Clyde River’s Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan ..............................................................................10 City of Kamloops’ Wildfire Protection Plan .....................................................................................................12 Metro Vancouver’s Stormwater Management Program ....................................................................................14 Edmonton’s Urban Forest Management Plan ..................................................................................................16 Regina’s Water Conservation Program ...........................................................................................................18 London, Ontario’s, Climate Change Adaptation Strategy ................................................................................ 20 Toronto’s Heat Health Alert System .............................................................................................................