Ottawa – Climate change is a growing public health concern in Canada. Whether it’s worse air quality from wild fires, or more frequent heat waves across the country, many Canadians feel the impact of climate change on their mental and physical health. Warming temperatures and increased extreme weather events are also putting a strain on our healthcare system.
Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the launch of two calls for proposals for the Climate Change and Health Capacity Building program. Up to $17.7 million in funding will be awarded to support work that advances climate action in the health sector and that helps to protect the health of people in Canada from extreme heat.
The first stream of the program will provide up to $4.5 million to support efforts towards building climate resilient and low-carbon health systems. Key priorities for the program are to assess climate-related health risks affecting people in Canada and implement adaptation measures. This stream will build on the success of Health Canada’s HealthADAPT program, launched in 2018.
Extreme heat events, made worse by climate change, are expected to become more frequent and severe in Canada. The second stream of the program will provide up to $13.2 million to protect the health of people in Canada from extreme heat, through the new HeatADAPT program. Projects will focus on addressing the health risks of indoor heat, protecting vulnerable populations, and supporting efforts to prepare and adapt to extreme heat. These projects will seek to enhance our understanding of heat-health risks in Canada.
Health Canada is also working with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support work on extreme heat and adaptation for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
This funding is made available through the National Adaptation Strategy and the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan. The Strategy outlines a long-term vision for a resilient country and a path to reduce the risks associated with climate-related disasters, improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and workers.
“With these investments, we are advancing knowledge, capacity, and innovation in the work to address the health impacts of climate change. By enhancing our capabilities at local and regional levels, we can create stronger health systems that effectively adapt to climate-related challenges.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health
“Climate change is having serious effects on the health and well-being of people living in Canada. We must integrate effective adaptation measures into our health systems to protect people from climate-related impacts. Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, outlines a long-term vision for a resilient country and a path to reduce the adverse effects of the impacts that we are currently experiencing, and of those still to come.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Indigenous communities are often living through the impacts of climate change first-hand. They also know best what their members need to adapt to them. The Federal Government will always be at their side to support their leadership and their priorities.” – Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services