In October 2024, Canadian Water Network (CWN) held the project’s first in-person workshop with the National Steering Committee in Montreal. The meeting brought together committee members to discuss the knowledge gaps and needs of Canadian urban municipalities, as well as the direction they would like to see the project take.

Committee members highlighted the importance of adaptive planning as a living process that involves planning for multiple future scenarios rather than just one; this concept is crucial to the success of future-focused master planning.

They also emphasized that garnering buy-in from senior management and elected officials is critical to successfully implementing an adaptive planning framework. Additionally, members noted that all key stakeholders, including Indigenous community members, should be engaged throughout the implementation process.

Within the Canadian context, committee members emphasized that adaptive planning guidance should be applicable for both the corporate and infrastructure planning levels and mindful of multiple target audiences, including end users (utility project managers) and decision-makers (utility leaders, council members).

Outcomes 

  • Increased knowledge among Canadian urban municipalities and utilities on adaptation principles related to urban water and watershed planning.
  • A strong network of senior municipal water and wastewater utility leaders and other decision-makers who are engaged in advancing adaptation planning across the country.
  • Increased integration of the adaptive planning framework into master plans and other long-term planning documents.

“The impacts associated with climate change are already being felt environmentally and economically in every single region of Canada, including southern Ontario. That is why this federal government is acting now to help our communities and our economy prepare for and protect against the threat of climate change. Canadian Water Network’s climate change adaptation projects funded by this federal government’s adaptation programs will support the vital long-term, community-based work to keep people safe now and into the future.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

We’re interviewing Canadian municipalities and utilities to showcase best practices in adaptive planning. If your organization is leading the way in practicing aspects of adaptive planning and you’d like to be featured, connect with Tracy Patterson ([email protected]) or Meghan Ewing ([email protected]) for details.