Chase Harms reflects on the impact of climate change daily since his daughter Noah was born a year ago. Concerned about the challenges future generations may face, Harms attended an open house in Niverville to discuss the town’s climate adaptation plan, part of a federal initiative allocating $530 million to assist Canadian municipalities in preparing for climate change impacts.
Niverville, located south of Winnipeg, was among nearly 20 Manitoba municipalities awarded $70,000 each to assess vulnerabilities related to climate change and enhance resilience. Winnipeg received double the amount, $140,000, and aims to unveil its plan next summer. Steinbach recently presented its finalized climate adaptation plan to the local council, emphasizing the urgent need to address risks such as overwhelming wastewater systems during heavy rainfall events.
In the past, Steinbach experienced severe flooding due to concentrated rainfalls, causing significant damage to infrastructure and necessitating evacuations. Mayor Earl Funk stressed the importance of safeguarding both the town’s infrastructure and its residents’ investments.
The climate adaptation plan for Steinbach, developed by WSP professionals, highlights various risks beyond flooding, including water supply stress from droughts, damage from wind and hailstorms, and increased road damage from winter freeze-thaw cycles. Mayor Funk advocates for financial support from provincial and federal governments to implement climate adaptation measures effectively.
In a proactive move, Steinbach is investing in upgrading its wastewater systems and taking responsibility for sections of the provincial Manning Canal within the city limits. Niverville, impacted by the same storm that flooded Steinbach, is addressing risks posed by outdated infrastructure, such as 50-year-old pipes ill-suited for current climate conditions.
Chase Harms, attending the event with his family, expressed the need for long-term planning to protect future generations from worsening climate impacts. The Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative, funded by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, aims to invest over $530 million in supporting climate resilience efforts by 2031.
Despite low turnout at the Niverville event, Harms emphasized the significance of understanding and supporting town initiatives to address climate challenges, urging communities to rally behind such efforts rather than criticize them for potential inconveniences or increased costs.