Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Canada will spend $59.6 million over five years to speed up research projects aimed at providing communities with the knowledge and guidance – including codes, standards, guidelines, and tools – needed to adapt to the impacts of climate change.
“Research and data delivered through this investment will strengthen communities and help them better protect the homes, businesses, and livelihoods of their residents from the impacts of climate change,” said Sean Fraser, federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities.
“This investment will build upon the current work funded by Infrastructure Canada to support the NRC-led Climate Resilient Built Environment (CRBE) initiative and the SCC-led Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program (SSRIP).”
The CRBE initiative will focus on ways to adapt public infrastructure including potential changes to building and infrastructure codes and standards, and will create guides, tools, and technical solutions to support resilience to climate change.
The goal is to build resilience across the construction sector, from design and decision-making to construction, operation, maintenance, and retrofit.
Standards and related guidance will address priority areas such as heat, flooding, nature-based solutions, and transportation system resilience – working with communities to ensure projects promote a consistent approach to climate change adaptation, increase resilience, and support informed decision-making for infrastructure and buildings across Canada.
“Climate risks can be reduced or avoided by making sure communities are designed to standards that address climate change. Using standards, decision-makers and professionals can better plan, construct, and maintain climate-resilient, nature-positive, and sustainable cities. Working with experts across Canada, we are ensuring they have the tools they need to adapt communities,” said Chantal Guay, CEO, Standards Council of Canada