Building Resilient Communities: Insights from the 2025 Sustainable Communities Conference

by Sean Meyer, Municipal World in FCM, Leadership, Sustainability Read the full original story here

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) 2025 Sustainable Communities Conference (SCC) held in Fredericton, New Brunswick, attracted a sold-out crowd of 538 delegates, underscoring the urgency of addressing sustainability and climate challenges at the municipal level. As climate change leads to increasingly severe weather events, municipalities are at the forefront of finding and implementing solutions to ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of their communities.

A Call for Climate Adaptation and Resilient Infrastructure

During the conference, Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a significant $30 million investment aimed at helping municipalities build more resilient infrastructure to withstand climate-related challenges. The funding, through the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative, will support 30 projects, 17 feasibility studies, and 34 partner grants, all focused on strengthening local climate adaptation efforts.

The growing frequency of extreme weather events like floods, wildfires, and destructive storms is making it clear that municipalities can no longer handle these challenges alone. The investment from the federal government is crucial in equipping municipalities with the resources and expertise they need to protect infrastructure, safeguard public safety, and reduce long-term costs. Municipalities like Ottawa have seen firsthand the toll that these weather events take on their communities and infrastructure, and the need for increased support has never been greater.

Municipal Leaders Discuss the Shift Towards Sustainability

Tim Tierney, FCM’s first vice president and City of Ottawa councillor, highlighted the critical importance of conversations around sustainability, which have now become more urgent than ever. Tierney pointed to the increasing severity of climate-related events, such as one-in-100-year storms, shoreline erosion, and wildfires, which have created significant challenges for municipalities in managing their infrastructure and protecting residents. For Tierney, the focus of these conversations is shifting from traditional sustainability issues to broader discussions about resiliency. The question is no longer simply about reducing emissions but also about how municipalities can recover and adapt after extreme weather events.

“Resiliency is a big factor. When power goes out or a major weather event hits, how do municipalities respond?” Tierney said. “These are the kinds of discussions that are now central to how we think about sustainability.”

The Role of Municipal Leaders in Climate Adaptation

Fredericton Mayor Kate Rogers, who hosted the conference, emphasized the value of bringing together municipal leaders to share their experiences and solutions. As municipalities across the country grapple with similar climate challenges, the exchange of knowledge has become invaluable.

“Our city has faced multiple one-in-100-year floods in just a decade,” Rogers shared. “We are not alone in dealing with these crises, and being able to talk to other leaders about our shared experiences is incredibly valuable. We learn from each other, and we adapt our responses.”

Rogers also highlighted the shift in Fredericton’s approach to sustainability. Over the past decade, the city has moved from occasional discussions about environmental issues to regular, monthly meetings dedicated to climate mitigation and resiliency. This shift reflects the growing recognition of the interconnectedness between sustainability and affordability—addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue, but also one that affects the economic well-being of residents.

The Need for Continued Federal Support

While the $30 million announced at the conference is a critical step, both Tierney and Rogers agree that it represents only a fraction of the financial support municipalities need. As municipal infrastructure ages and the demand for climate adaptation grows, much more will be required to ensure communities can weather the storms ahead.

Tierney expressed gratitude for the federal government’s ongoing support, especially as the political landscape becomes increasingly uncertain. “It’s great to see Ottawa stepping up right now, particularly with an election looming. The need for continued investment in municipal infrastructure and sustainability is more urgent than ever,” Tierney said.

For municipalities, the challenge is clear: while $30 million is a good start, much more is needed to adequately address the growing demands for climate adaptation, infrastructure upgrades, and long-term sustainability. But with continued support from federal and provincial governments, and a focus on resiliency, municipalities across Canada can rise to the challenge.

Looking Ahead

As Canada faces the increasing impacts of climate change, municipalities like Ottawa and Fredericton are leading the way in building more resilient, sustainable communities. The conversations taking place at the 2025 SCC reflect a growing recognition that sustainability isn’t just about reducing emissions—it’s also about ensuring communities are prepared for the challenges ahead.

With continued collaboration and investment, Canadian municipalities are well-positioned to adapt to a changing climate and create safer, more resilient places to live for future generations.