Canada needs to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure

Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. From devastating floods to raging wildfires, these events wreak havoc on Canada’s infrastructure, leaving roads, bridges, buildings and other critical systems in disrepair.

Toronto, for example, experienced one of the costliest floods in its history in July, with damages surpassing a billion dollars. Streets and highways were submerged, homes inundated and vehicles stranded.

The cost of storms like these is so high partly because much of Canada’s infrastructure is aging and not designed with climate resilience in mind.

The majority of current infrastructure was completed over three decades ago, and maintenance has, at times, been inadequate. And while public investment in infrastructure has been climbing, it is far from enough to address the need.

It’s pivotal that Canada invests in building and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure at all stages, from preparation and adaptation to recovery.  

While infrastructure investments alone cannot eliminate climate risks, they help to limit the damage from climate change. 

Infrastructural damage

In recent years, Canada has witnessed the effects of extreme weather on its infrastructure.

In addition to Toronto’s floods, wildfires have also caused sizeable damage to communities across the country. For instance, in Jasper, a historic mountain town beloved by Canadians, a third of its buildings were destroyed by wildfires this summer, with damage estimated at approximately $700 million.

While critical infrastructure like schools and hospitals remains intact, smoke and fire-related damage will be costly and time-consuming to repair.

The financial toll of these disasters is staggering. The top 10 most expensive natural disasters in Canadian history have all occurred within the past 30 years, with six of them taking place in the past decade.

While much of the focus is often on the damage to personal property, the impact on public infrastructure—roads, water treatment plants, power grids and more—cannot be overlooked.

And it’s not just floods or fires. Heat waves, a rarity a generation ago, weaken and degrade buildings and homes not designed to withstand extreme temperatures.

In addition, heat waves also hurt workers’ productivity—a sore point for the Canadian economy—not only outdoors but also in buildings with insufficient air conditioning. Workers often stay home when temperatures climb into the high 30s degrees °C.

Damage to roads and railways from climate change in Canada could increase by up to $5.4 billion annually by the middle of the century, and the cost to repair and maintain the electrical grid could double by 2050. 

The current state

The rise in severe weather events comes as Canada’s infrastructure is aging and in poor condition. Nearly half of the country’s roads and bridges are in fair to poor condition. These structures were built decades ago in a different world from today’s to support a much smaller population without consideration for climate change and weather-related events.

For instance, some older buildings might lack proper cooling systems to cope with heat waves. Many roads are not flood or heat-resistant.

It all adds up to a significant underinvestment. Toronto alone needs $26 billion in infrastructure improvements to withstand severe weather events better. 

The consequences of not acting are far-reaching. Delays in transportation, disruptions in power supply and compromised service delivery are just some of the issues. Supply chains, business operations and people’s lives are affected.

Benefits of climate resilience

Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure improves public safety and increases labour productivity.

Infrastructure designed to withstand the stresses of extreme weather—whether it’s wildfires, storms or flooding—will be more reliable.

Some infrastructure may require only minor modifications, while others might need overhauls, such as using fireproof materials or constructing seawalls and restoring wetlands.

Then there are the environmental benefits, such as reducing the carbon footprint and conserving and restoring ecosystems, which would help Canada move closer to the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

Investments need to come not only from governments but also from businesses, including public-private partnerships. There needs to be consultation with climate scientists and urban planners to integrate climate resilience into planning and zoning.

In the long run, climate-resilient infrastructure can be more cost-effective to maintain than constantly putting bandages on outdated infrastructure.

Toronto’s Port Lands: An example

Toronto’s Port Lands project is a prime example of public investment in climate-resilient infrastructure. This $1.35 billion initiative aims to provide critical flood protection by transforming underused lands into public and green spaces.

Jointly funded by all levels of government, the project is one of North America’s largest infrastructure projects and seeks to create sustainable and climate-resilient communities along Toronto’s waterfront.

A key component of the project involves creating a naturalized river mouth to allow floodwaters to run off into the harbour instead of flooding neighbourhoods.

By restoring wetlands, the project also introduces more green space, which can absorb rainwater more effectively than concrete, making the city more resilient to future downpours and floods.

The project would prevent flooding downtown, mitigate the damage from future rainstorms, and allow people and nature to coexist and thrive.

The takeaway

Delaying investments in building and maintaining climate-resilient infrastructure can have cascading impacts and higher costs for the future.

By taking action now, Canadian governments and businesses can lift labour productivity, limit the costs associated with severe weather events, lift residents’ quality of life and improve conditions for businesses.