The University of Waterloo announced it is collaborating with a Canadian insurance company to launch a national initiative to implement 20 climate change adaption projects that will help communities adapt to climate change and extreme weather.

The university is working with Intact Financial Corporation on Nature-Action Québec, an initiative that carries out climate change adaptation projects designed to reduce the physical, financial and social impacts of extreme weather events.

The frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events -- from last year's floods in Southern Alberta and Toronto to the December ice storm in Central and Eastern Canada -- are increasing, causing billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure, businesses and homeowners.

"Climate change is a reality, and the events of the last year clearly demonstrate the need to weather-harden our communities, our infrastructure and our homes," Dr. Blair Feltmate, chair of the Climate Change Adaptation Project (CCAP) at the University of Waterloo, said in a statement.

The 20 demonstration projects were selected from 75 submissions made by conservation authorities and non-governmental organizations from across the country. The projects, which will be carried out in Alberta, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec, are aimed at showcasing viable and cost-effective adaptation solutions that ultimately will be replicated in communities across the country.

These projects will include adapting an alleyway in Montréal's Saint-Léonard borough and a stormwater retention basin in Beloeil, reducing risks of sewer backups and limit urban flooding associated with intense precipitation events.

The cohort's efforts will also focus on limit coastal erosion in proximity to major cities. In addition to adaptation applied to infrastructure, education campaigns will promote practical measures that homeowners can engage around their homes to help stop basement flooding.

"As a society, Canada must adapt to the new climate reality, and ensure that our cities, communities, infrastructure and buildings are resilient to extreme weather," Charles Brindamour, Chief Executive Officer of Intact Financial Corporation, said in a statement. "This is a multi-stakeholder endeavor and we are thankful to the governmental agencies, NGOs and consumers that will participate in these projects. Together we will foster adaptation initiatives that will allow Canadians to better adapt to our changing climate."


In addition to green infrastructure implementation, the initiative focuses on activities related to natural lands conservancy, shoreline restoration, energy efficiency and waste management.

"Preparing for climate change is non-negotiable if we are to avoid management by disaster scenarios. Extreme weather events will continue to increase in frequency and magnitude," Feltmate said. "Adaptation is the only means to avoid financial and social costs that will otherwise be borne by all levels of government, industry and consumers."