A Call to Build a More Resilient Canada

Across the country, climate-related disasters are becoming more frequent, more severe, and more costly. Extreme-weather events – like wildfires, floods, storms, and droughts – are placing growing strain on Canadian families, businesses, infrastructure, and public services. The human and economic impacts are significant, affecting housing affordability, community well-being, economic stability, and long-term prosperity.

Canada has an opportunity to shift from a reactive approach that focuses on disaster recovery to a proactive approach that centres on resilience and adaptation. Investments that help communities prepare for climate risks, before disaster strikes, will reduce long-term costs, protect lives and livelihoods, and strengthen the foundations of a competitive and sustainable economy. Building resilience is not simply an environmental imperative; it is an economic and social one.

As representatives of Canada’s co-operative and mutual sector, we’re calling on the Government of Canada to make climate resilience a national priority. This means promoting climate-ready homes and infrastructure; supporting retrofits and upgrades to existing buildings; streamlining the National Building Code to accelerate adoption, while strengthening requirements for physical climate resilience; and ensuring that standards reflect the distinct climate risks faced by different regions of the country. These actions will help to protect Canadians, strengthen communities, and reduce the growing costs of extreme weather.

As the sector gathers, we signal our commitment to working alongside governments, communities, Indigenous Peoples, businesses, and civil society to strengthen Canada’s resilience. Collectively, we can ensure that Canadians are prepared for the challenges ahead.

Signed,