Engagement on the National Adaptation Strategy
Long description
A timeline of key development milestones:
Happening prior to April 2022:
- Strategy development forum
- Targeted engagement
- Expert advisory tables
- Partner and stakeholder engagement
Happening in spring/summer 2022:
- Public engagement
Happening in late summer/fall 2022:
- Final strategy development
Happening at end of 2022:
- Release of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy
The development of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy occurred over two phases:
- Phase I developed the framework of the Strategy, including long-term transformational goals, and medium-term objectives, working with experts, and reflecting the input of provinces and territories, national Indigenous organizations and representatives. (Completed March 2022)
- Phase II sought broader public, partner and expert input on specific measurable and achievable action to help finalize the National Adaptation Strategy by the end of 2022. (Completed October 2022)
Reports
- Canada's National Adaptation Strategy: Vision Forum
- Preparing for Climate Change: Canada's National Adaptation Strategy (Discussion Paper - May 2022)
Advisory tables
Five expert advisory tables worked together in Phase I focussing on:
- Health and Wellbeing;
- Resilient Natural and Built Infrastructure;
- Thriving Natural Environment;
- Strong and Resilient Economy; and,
- Disaster Resilience and Security.
Each Advisory Table was co-chaired by a federal department along with an external partner or stakeholder and includes diverse membership representing Indigenous peoples, youth, professional associations, the private sector, environmental organizations, academia, adaptation experts, and others. The tables proposed transformational goals and concrete objectives for each of the thematic areas.
Terms of reference
Terms of reference
Preamble
In December 2020, under its Strengthened Climate Plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the Government of Canada committed to develop its first National Adaptation Strategy, working with provincial, territorial and municipal Governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners, including youth.
The strategy will establish a shared vision for climate resilience in Canada, identify key priorities for increased collaboration and establish a framework for measuring progress at the national level.
To inform the development of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, the Government of Canada is launching five (5) National Adaptation Strategy Advisory Tables (“Advisory Tables”):
- Health and Wellbeing;
- Resilient Natural and Built Infrastructure;
- Thriving Natural Environment;
- Strong and Resilient Economy; and,
- Disaster Resilience and Security.
The Advisory Tables’ early emphasis will be on galvanizing partners and stakeholders to identify national aspirational goals and objectives for each thematic area to inform the framework for the National Adaptation Strategy and to advise on who should be involved in broader engagement for subsequent stages.
Mandate
Phase I
The National Adaptation Strategy Advisory Tables will:
- Propose national aspirational goal(s) for each thematic area supported by medium-term objectives;
- Engage partner and stakeholders views on aspirational goals and objectives; and
- Provide advice to improve the reach of broader and public engagement on the National Adaptation Strategy.
As part of developing advice on goals and objectives the Advisory Tables will examine barriers to adaptation action and identify cross-cutting priorities that support progress in multiple areas of the Strategy.
Following the completion of Phase I work these Terms of Reference will be revisited to outline a second phase of work starting in 2022 and will focus on the elaboration of the National Adaptation Strategy Framework.
Reporting
The Advisory Tables will submit preliminary recommendations on potential national aspirational goal(s) and objectives related to their respective Tables to the Directors General Adaptation and Resilience Steering Committee.
The co-chairs of each of the Advisory Tables will form a National Adaptation Strategy Advisory Tables Coordinating Committee (Coordinating Committee) to discuss the identification of emerging issues, cross-cutting themes and challenges/barriers to achieving their mandates. The Coordinating Committee will meet bi-weekly or more often as needed and report to the Directors General Adaptation and Resilience Steering Committee.
Duration
The duration and content of the mandate may be modified by mutual agreement between the Government of Canada and the Advisory Tables, as represented by its co-chairs.
Participants
The composition of the Advisory Tables will be based on the scope of inquiry for each Table. Considerations for membership will reflect Canada’s important relationship with the Indigenous peoples of Canada and the diversity of Canadian society. This will include, ensuring Indigenous representation is included throughout the tables and by taking into account considerations such as age and gender, regional and national representation, diversity and inclusion of distinct populations, and expertise.
Each Advisory Table will have:
- Two co-chairs, including one from a federal department
- Members with expertise relevant to the Table theme
Observers and Experts
The Advisory Tables may engage with individuals and organizations with expertise in climate change adaptation or related subject matter, domestic or international, to participate in full or sub-group meetings on an ad hoc basis.
Secretariat
The co-chair from a federal department will provide Secretariat support including logistical, administrative, and analytical support (e.g., backgrounders, summaries, and communiques) to the Advisory Tables in the fulfillment of the mandate. ECCC will provide additional support and information as needed, and will liaise with other departments and stakeholders related to the Advisory Table’s work.
Expenses
The representatives appointed to the Advisory Tables may be paid honoraria or reasonable expenses incurred by them in connection with the business of the Tables, subject to applicable Treasury Board directives or departmental policies.
Health and wellbeing
Health and Wellbeing
Co-chairs
Greg Carreau
Director General, Safe Environments Directorate, Health Canada
Federal representative on the Director General National Adaptation Strategy working group on behalf of Federal Health Partners. Federal DG lead for climate and health. Greg has served as the Director, Water and Air Quality Bureau. Greg has also played an important leadership role in advancing the 2021 renewal of the Chemicals Management Plan and amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Dr. Sherilee Harper
Associate Professor / Canada Research Chair in Climate Change and Health, School of Public Health, University of Alberta
Dr. Harper’s research investigates associations between weather, environment, and public health in the context of climate change. Dr. Harper collaborates with diverse partners to prioritise climate-related health actions, planning, interventions, and research. Dr. Harper is a Lead Author on the IPCC Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate (SROCC); Lead Author on the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report (AR6-WG2); served on the Gender Task Group for the IPCC; and is a Lead Author on Health Canada's upcoming Climate Change and Health Assessment.
Members
Angie Woo, Climate Risk and Resilience, Manager, Facilities Management and Environmental Sustainability, Fraser Health
Dr. Anjali Helferty, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment
Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo, Founding Dean, School of Arctic & Subarctic Studies, Memorial University
Dr. Claudel Petrin-Desrosiers, Family doctor and clinical lecturer, University of Montréal, Faculty of Medicine
Dr. Craig Stephen, Clinical Professor, University of British Columbia
Dr. Deborah McGregor, Associate Professor / Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Environmental Justice, York University
Denise Baikie, Policy Advisor, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Dr. Eduardo Vides, Senior Health Policy Advisor, Métis National Council
Dr. Fiona Miller, Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation / Director, Centre for Sustainable Health Systems, University of Toronto
Ian Culbert, Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association
Dr. Jacqueline Badcock, Senior Program Advisor, New Brunswick Public Health, Government of New Brunswick
Judith Eigenbrod, Senior Policy Advisor, Social Branch, Assembly of First Nations
Linda Varangu, Senior Policy Advisor, Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care
Louise Aubin, Director of Health Protection, Regional Municipality of Peel – Public Health
Dr. Myrle Ballard, Assistant Professor / Indigenous Scholar, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Manitoba
Dr. Patrick Leighton, Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal
Pemma Muzumdar, Knowledge Translation Specialist, National Collaborating Centre for Determinants of Health
Dr. Peter Berry, Senior Policy Analyst/Science Advisor, Health Canada
Dr. Sarah Henderson, Scientific Director, Environmental Health Services at BCCDC
Dr. Sean Kidd, Associate Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto
Preliminary advice
For a copy of the advisory table reports, please contact us at adaptation@ec.gc.ca.
Resilient natural and built infrastructure
Resilient Natural and Built Infrastructure
Co-chairs
Tim Angus
Director General, Strategic & Sectoral Policy, Infrastructure Canada
Caroline Larrivée
Scientific Program Director, Ouranos
Caroline Larrivée holds a degree in urban planning from Université de Montréal. She worked as a planner in the private sector, for academic institutions and for the Kativik Regional Government where she collaborated on research projects that focussed on the impacts of climate change for northern communities. With Ouranos since 2006, first as a specialist in the Vulnerabilities, Impacts and Adaptation Group and as coordinator of northern environment and urban areas programs, Mrs. Larrivée now acts as the Scientific Program director and leads the Vulnerabilities, Impacts and Adaptation Group.
Members
Andres Filella, Manager, Climate Leadership - Metis Nation of Alberta
Anton Pojasok, Vice-President, Environmental Management – Infrastructure Ontario
Chad Park, Vice-President, Sustainability and Citizenship – The Co-operators Group
Christine Arthurs, General Manager, People, Innovation & Collaboration Services and City Resilience Officer – City of Calgary
Dan Sandink, Director, Research - Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction
Daisy Foster, Managing Director – Atlantic Infrastructure Management Network
Elise Paré, National Practice Lead, Climate Risk and Resilience - WSP in Canada
Elmer Lickers, Senior Operations & Maintenance Advisor, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation
Grant Fahlgren, Chair, Reconciliation Advisory Committee – Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Hiran Sandanayake, Chair, Climate Change Committee - Canadian Water & Wasterwater Association
Irving Leblanc, Director, Infrastructure - Assembly of First Nations
Jay Wilson, Director, Generation and Stewardship - Canadian Electricity Association
Joanna Eyquem, Managing Director, Climate-Resilient Infrastructure - Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation, University of Waterloo
Maxime Ladouceur, General Manager, Kautaq Construction (Makivik)
Mike Puddister, Director on the Board - Municipal Natural Assets Initiative
Paige Olmstead, Senior Research Associate - Smart Prosperity Institute
Ryan Ness, Director, Adaptation Research - Canadian Institute for Climate Choices
Sara Jane O’Neill, Policy Advisor, Policy & Public Affairs - Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Serge Dupuis, Assistant Professor, Civil Engineering - Université de Moncton
Preliminary advice
For a copy of the advisory table reports, please contact us at adaptation@ec.gc.ca.
Thriving natural environment
Thriving Natural Environment
Co-chairs
Jeff MacDonald
Director General, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Since March 2021, Jeff MacDonald is the Director General, Climate Change Adaptation at Environment and Climate Change Canada. His directorate includes climate change adaptation policy and the Canadian Centre for Climate Services.
From 2014 to 2021, Jeff was Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, at Fisheries and Oceans Canada. He was responsible for establishing and overseeing integrated management of oceans activities in Canada, including marine spatial planning, marine environmental quality and marine protected areas.
Jeff has held several executive positions over the past 20 years at four federal departments and agencies. He is a skilled negotiator with international, intergovernmental and indigenous experience. Among his notable achievements are the successful organization of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (CoP11): Montreal 2005, the renegotiation of the Convention on Cooperation in Northwest Atlantic Fisheries (NAFO), amendments to the Fisheries Act and the Oceans Act and the negotiation of reconciliation agreements on ocean management and protection with BC Coastal First Nations and the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. Most recently, he has led the successful achievement of meeting Canada’s marine conservation target of protecting 10% of Canada’s oceans by 2020.
Jeff has a Master of Science degree (Rural Planning and Development) from the University of Guelph and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) from St. Francis Xavier University. He lives in Chelsea, Quebec.
Graeme Reed
Senior Advisor, Assembly of First Nations
Of mixed Anishinaabe-European descent, Graeme Reed is a doctoral candidate at the University of Guelph, studying the intersection of Indigenous governance, environmental governance and the climate crisis. He is heavily involved in the national and international Indigenous climate movement and works at the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) as a senior policy advisor, where he advocates for the inclusion of First Nations in the federal, provincial, and territorial climate change and energy policy dialogue. He has presented to the Canadian Council of Ministers of Environment (CCME), participated in the First Minister’s Meeting negotiating the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and represented the AFN several times at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. He is a Board member at Climate Action Network Canada – Réseau action climat Canada (CAN-Rac Canada) and a member of the Canadian Environment Domestic Advisory Group (CEDAG) under the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.
Members
Ana F. González Guerrero, Co-Founder, Youth Climate Lab
Anne Hammill, Senior Director, International Institute for Sustainable Development
Brian Horton, Manager, Yukon University
Brian Tucker, Director of Rights, Research and Policy, Métis Nation of Ontario
Chúk Odenigbo, Founding Director and Director of Ancestral Services, Future Ancestors Services
Colleen Mercer Clarke, Climate Adaptation Committee, Canadian Society of Landscape Architects
Danika Van Proosdij, Professor, TransCoastal Adaptations, Centre for Nature Based Solutions
Deborah Carlson, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law
Ian Mauro, Executive Director, Prairie Climate Centre, University of Winnipeg
Jennifer Parrott, Director, Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
Lara Ellis, Senior VP, ALUS
Michael Polanyi, Policy and Campaign Manager, Nature Canada
Naolo Charles, Founder, Black Environmental Initiative
Sidney Ribaux, Director, City of Montréal
Tyson Atleo, Program Manager, Nature United
Valérie Courtois, Director, Indigenous Guardians
Preliminary advice
For a copy of the advisory table reports, please contact us at adaptation@ec.gc.ca.
Strong and resilient economy
Strong and Resilient Economy
Co-chairs
Rory Gilsenan
Director General, Hazards, Adaptation and Operations, Natural Resources Canada
Rory has been with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) since 2006. He is currently the Director General for the Hazards, Adaptation and Operations Branch, Lands and Minerals Sector, which conducts scientific research to better understand and protect Canadians from natural hazards like earthquakes, space weather and radiation; helps Canada become more resilient to climate change; collects and produces mineral and mining statistics; and provides logistics for science in the Canadian Arctic. Rory is also NRCan’s DG lead for issues related to the North and on climate change adaptation, including the development of the National Adaptation Strategy.
Previously, he was the Director General, Science Policy Integration Branch of the Canadian Forest Service (CFS), where his responsibilities included: ensuring alignment of the CFS S&T portfolio to Government of Canada and departmental priorities; communicating the impact of NRCan’s work to partners and stakeholders; creating an environment to sustain excellence in science; and advancing science-policy integration.
Prior to joining the federal public service, Rory undertook over a decade of extensive international experience in economic development work in Africa and the Middle East, and holds a MSc in Resource Economics from UBC.
Sarah Burch
Associate Professor, University of Waterloo, Canada Research Chair; and Executive Director, Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3)
Dr. Sarah Burch holds a Canada Research Chair in Sustainability Governance and Innovation, and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Canada. She is an expert in transformative responses to climate change at the community scale, innovative strategies for making progress on sustainability, and the unique contributions that small businesses can make to this solving this complex challenge. She leads the international partnership-based research project TRANSFORM: Accelerating sustainability entrepreneurship experiments in local spaces, and is the Director of the Sustainability Policy Research on Urban Transformations (SPROUT) Lab.
Dr. Burch holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia, and held a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford. She is currently a Lead Author of the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007). She was elected to the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars in 2017 and was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40TM in 2018. Her research addresses the question of transformative change in response to climate change and sustainability challenges. She explores the roots of vulnerability by examining the inertia built into our modes of governance, urban planning, and participatory processes.
Members
Andy Chisholm, Corporate Director, RBC / Expert Panel on Sustainable Finance
Bea Bruske, President, Canadian Labour Congress
Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Bridget Carle, Vice President, Swiss Re
Charles Dumaresq, Vice President, Mining Association of Canada (MAC)
Christian Buhagiar, President & CEO, Supply Chain Canada
Debbie Murray, Senior Director, Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Association of Canadian Port Authorities
Frank Annau, Director of Environment and Science Policy, Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Jay Wilson, Director, Generation and Stewardship, Canadian Electricity Association (CEA)
Karen Hunter, Senior Policy Coordinator, Economic Sector, Assembly of First Nations
Kate Lindsay, Senior Vice President, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
Kathy Abusow, President & CEO, Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) & Project Learning Tree Canada (PLT Canada)
Marc Brazeau, President & CEO, Railway Association of Canada
Roy Erasmus Jr., CEO, Gwich'in Development Corporation, Gwich’in Tribal Council
Sara Justine Wilson, Senior Advisor, Climate Resiliency & Sustainable Finance, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Sarah Keyes, CEO, ESG Global Advisors Inc.
Sasha Sud, Director, Smart Cities, MaRS Centre
Susanna Fuller, Vice President, Operations and Projects, Oceans North
Tabatha Bull, President & CEO, Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business (CCAB)
Tristan Zachow, CEO, SaskMétis Economic Development Corporation / Métis National Council
Preliminary advice
For a copy of the advisory table reports, please contact us at adaptation@ec.gc.ca.
Disaster resilience and security
Disaster Resilience and Security
Co-chairs
Stéphanie Durand
Director General, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
As Director General, Emergency Management Policy and Outreach at Public Safety Canada, Stephanie is responsible for leading the development of national emergency management policies and programs for the Government of Canada related to disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response, as well as modernizing disaster recovery mechanisms. Stéphanie works in close collaboration with all levels of government and a wide range of diverse stakeholders, including the private sector, academia, non-governmental organizations and international partners, to enhance disaster resilience in Canada.
Some of her areas of focus include advancing whole-of-society initiatives to better predict, prepare for, respond to and recover from extreme weather-related disasters and national emergencies. This work includes advancing the National Emergency Management Strategy for Canada and its supporting Action Plan, developing a National Risk Profile, including a Flood Risk Plan for Canada, as well as strengthening emergency response capabilities across the country.
Previously, Stephanie was the Director General of Communications for Public Safety Canada. She headed the communications function for the department, as well as leading whole-of-government crisis communications efforts for the Government of Canada. She oversaw the public affairs coordinated response for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics on security and public safety issues. Stéphanie has also held a variety of senior level corporate and communications positions at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, including Corporate Communications, Parliamentary and Ministerial Services and Strategic Communications.
Before joining the Public Service of Canada, Stéphanie worked for two years in Singapore in international marketing, public relations and event planning. Stéphanie holds a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree in Political Science and Public Management from the University of Ottawa and a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Queens University.
Craig Stewart
Vice President, Federal Affairs, Insurance Bureau of Canada
Craig Stewart leads national work on disaster resilience and climate change at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) - the trade association representing the property and casualty insurance industry in Canada. IBC’s members employ over 131,100 Canadians and paid $13.8 billion in personal and commercial property claims in 2020, in part due to severe weather and wildfire.
Craig is on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Sustainable Finance at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business, is on the Board of Directors for GreenPAC Canada, and is on the Advisory Board for the Schiff Curator for Climate Change at the Royal Ontario Museum and on the Board of Directors for the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra.
Previous to his work with IBC, Craig directed the Ottawa Bureau and Arctic program for WWF Canada, handled pandemic liaison, trade liaison and humanitarian donations for GlaxoSmithKline (Canada) Ltd., directed a $60 million federal/provincial/territorial program at Natural Resources Canada to elevate the Canadian geospatial industry and founded the Miistakis Institute at the University of Calgary.
Craig holds a master of science from the University of Calgary, and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of Toronto. He is the author of two atlases on the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, British Columbia and Montana.
Members
Barry Christoff, Senior Director, Assembly of First Nations
David Diabo, Special Advisor, Emergency Services, Assembly of First Nations
Marcel Arcand, Senior Policy Analyst, Assembly of First Nations
John 'Jack' Lindsay, Associate Professor and Department Chair, Applied Disaster and Emergency Studies, Brandon University
Tina Saryeddine, Executive Director of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Adjunct Professor at University of Ottawa
Courtney Howard, Emergency Physician and Clinical Associate Professor at Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Canadian Association Physicians for Environment
Sarah Sargent, Vice President, Canadian Operations Programming, Canadian Red Cross
Simon Dalby, Senior Fellow, Center for International Governance Innovation and Professor, Balsillie School of International Affairs at Wilfrid Laurier University, Center for International Governance Innovation (GIGI) Climate and Security Working Group
Randy Mellow, Chief of Paramedics, Paramedic Chiefs of Canada and Deputy CAO at County of Peterborough
Eva Cohen, Founder and Principal, Civil Protection Youth Canada
Robert Russell, Director of Policy, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples
Susan Ancel, Director, One Water Planning, EPCOR
Sara Jane O’Neill, Policy Advisor, Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Paul Kovacs, Founder and Executive Director at Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction and Adjunct Research Professor at Western University
Darren Godfrey, Executive Vice President, Intact Financial Corporation
Alain Lessard, Consultant, Intact Financial Corporation
Scott Roberts, Vice President at International Association of Emergency Managers and Associate Director of Emergency Management and Leadership Development at Sandhurst Consulting
Jacqueline Kidd, Marine File Lead, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami
Erin Myers, Senior Advisor on Environment and Climate Change, Métis National Council
Josh Bowen, Instructor of Disaster and Emergency Management Diploma Program, Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
P. Whitney Lackenbauer, Network Lead, Canada Research Chair (Tier 1) in the Study of the Canadian North and Professor at the School for the Study of Canada at Trent University, North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN)
Jason Thistlethwaite, Associate Professor at the School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development at the University of Waterloo, Partners for Action
Laurie Pearce, Associate Professor of the Disaster and Emergency Management Program at Royal Roads University and Research Associate at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Royal Roads University
Perron Goodyear, Territorial Director, Emergency Disaster Services, Salvation Army Canada
Guy Lapointe, Vice President, Search and Rescue Volunteer Association of Canada
Shawn McLaren, Chief Learning Officer, St. John Ambulance
James Patterson, National Training Specialist, St. John Ambulance
Amy Graham, Senior Market Underwriter, P&C Markets, Swiss Reinsurance Company
Michel C. Doré, Associate Professor at the Université du Québec à Montréal and National Emergency Management Coordinator at St. John Ambulance
Blair Feltmate, Associate Professor at the University of Waterloo and Head of the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation at the University of Waterloo
David Etkin, Associate Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University
Nirupama Agrawal, Associate Professor, Disaster and Emergency Management, York University
Preliminary advice
For a copy of the advisory table reports, please contact us at adaptation@ec.gc.ca.
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