The City of Thunder Bay, Ontario has been accepted into the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) new Climate and Asset Management Network, which is available through the Municipalities for Climate Innovation Program.

Delivered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Government of Canada, Thunder Bay’s admission to the network will assist the city, along with other Canadian municipalities, in better integrating climate change and sustainability goals into decision-making. In particular, it will allow jurisdictions to make decisive decisions on infrastructure assets and services, such as drinking water and wastewater services.

“Through our strategic commitments, the city aims to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, as well as integrate Climate Adaptation into our asset management decisions, planning and practices,” said Rena Viehbeck, climate adaptation coordinator and acting sustainability coordinator, EarthCare Thunder Bay.

FCM approved a financial contribution of up to $52,000 to help develop an asset management policy, strategy, and governance framework that aligns with the city’s Climate Adaptation Strategy and other social, economic, and environmental sustainability goals.

“By building upon our current Asset Management Plan, we will be better prepared and adaptable to the new and unforeseen realities of climate change, as well as increase our sustainability,” said Viehbeck. “Preparing Thunder Bay to become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, is a significant long-term goal of the City.”

Announced in April, the Climate and Asset Management Network provides a combination of peer learning opportunities, grant funding up to $175,000, and training for member municipalities. Programming is delivered in two phases. In phase one, participants develop or refresh an asset management policy, strategy and governance framework. Phase two provides the opportunity to improve asset management analysis and decision-making through project implementation, while integrating climate risks and other sustainability considerations.

As part of the network, representatives from Engineering & Operations Division, Financial Services Division, and EarthCare Thunder Bay will take part in peer learning opportunities, including knowledge sharing with participants from other municipalities across Canada.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here
Please enter your comment!