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Minister of Environment and Climate Change Julie Dabrusin speaks during a press conference at the National Press Theatre in Ottawa, on Thursday, May 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Spencer Colby

Federal government announces $34M to help communities cope with climate change

Aug 12, 2026 | 6:00 AM

OTTAWA — The federal government is spending $34 million on projects to make Canadian communities more resilient to the effects of climate change.

The funds come as cities and towns across the country spend another summer battling extreme heat, wildfires, flooding and tornadoes.

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin made the announcement in Halifax Wednesday morning. The city is receiving nearly $800,000 to install cooling measures in its parks to help residents cope with extreme heat.

“Canada’s climate is changing. Our government is investing to make these communities more resilient, so that people are protected from flooding, extreme heat and other risks,” Dabrusin said in a news release.

“Building that resilience now is how we keep Canadians safe and keep life affordable for the long term.”

Federal funding is going to projects in 128 communities.

Some of the largest sums in Wednesday’s announcement include $1 million for the Kanesatake Lands in Quebec for flood reduction measures, nearly $1 million to improve drainage on a main road in Fort Qu’Appelle, Sask., and nearly $900,000 to restore the shoreline along Coles Bay in B.C.

Other projects cited in the announcement include $650,000 for the Municipality of Waterloo to limit the impact of extreme heat on residential housing units.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026.

Nick Murray, The Canadian Press