Adapting to climate change means reducing its negative effects while also seizing new opportunities. The Government of Canada recognizes the urgent need to protect water resources in Atlantic Canada so that families and communities have a sustainable and prosperous future.
Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, announced an investment of $318,000 over three years to the Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Association (ACWWA) for a climate change adaptation project in Atlantic Canada.
Funded through Natural Resources Canada’s Building Regional Adaptation Capacity and Expertise (BRACE) Program, the ACWWA’s project involves incorporating climate change adaptation into design guidelines for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure in Atlantic Canada. Training for professionals — such as public works and utility engineers, and consulting engineers — will also be delivered to build their awareness of climate change adaptation and their capacity to put the guidelines into practice. It is expected that updated guidelines can be applied in other regions in Canada.
Valued at $645,000, the project — Incorporating Climate Resilience for Municipal Infrastructure into the Updates of Existing Atlantic Canada Water and Wastewater Design Guidelines — also received support from the ACWWA, the governments of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the City of Charlottetown and Halifax Water.
Natural Resources Canada’s BRACE program is an $18-million strategic investment under the Adaptation and Climate Resilience pillar of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. The program works directly with provinces to deliver projects that include training, internships and knowledge-sharing activities that will build the capacity Canadians need to respond to the effects of a changing climate.
This announcement is part of the government’s plan to cut pollution, grow the economy and build healthier, stronger communities for all Canadians.
