The need for continued action on climate change from all levels of government is clear. Severe weather is occurring more frequently and is expected to worsen, threatening our homes, businesses, and community infrastructure. Floods, high winds, ice storms, extreme heat, and cold days put immense pressure on vital community infrastructure. These events pose serious risks to the Region’s infrastructure, including watermains and wastewater pumping stations, and threaten residents' health, safety, economic well-being and quality of life.

We’re making strategic investments in our infrastructure

According to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (external link), municipalities build and maintain 60% of the core public infrastructure that supports communities, including water, wastewater and roads.

• We’re investing $1.9 billion through our 10-year water and wastewater state-of-good-repair fund to ensure our infrastructure is in a state-of-good-repair and that climate impacts are incorporated.
• Since 2015, we have invested $78 million to help homeowners limit the risk of basement flooding.

We’re stronger together

We’re working to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2045 and making strategic investments to make our Regional infrastructure more resilient to climate change. Through programs like our Enhanced Basement Flooding Prevention Subsidy Program and Emergency Preparedness, we’re also helping people in our community mitigate risk and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Addressing Climate Change and Supporting Resilient Communities (PDF file)