Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction
Canada has adopted comprehensive governance structures to address extreme heat, involving national strategies, institutional frameworks, provincial and local government initiatives, and public-private partnerships.
At the national level, the National Adaptation Strategy and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change outline measures to build resilience against extreme heat. The Health and well-being system in the National Adaptation Strategy particularly emphasizes protecting Canadians from climate-related health risks, including extreme heat.
Health Canada plays a pivotal role by providing evidence-based guidance, heat health science, and best practices for provincial and local authorities to implement Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS). It also collaborates with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to inform heat-related weather warnings. Provincial and territorial governments lead the response to heat health risks, with the Federal Government supporting local-level adaptation.
Provincial heat action plans in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, along with municipal heat response plans in cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, outline specific measures such as establishing cooling centres, disseminating heat health messages, and modifying urban design to reduce heat risks. These efforts are also extended to Indigenous communities, where culturally appropriate response planning is underway.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) play a significant role in enhancing heat resilience. In Toronto, PPPs have focused on retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient cooling systems, creating green roofs, and expanding urban parks to mitigate the urban heat island effect. Similarly, Hydro-Québec collaborates with businesses to promote energy-saving technologies that reduce electricity demand during heatwaves.
Key achievements include the widespread implementation of HARS, public education campaigns, and strengthened health sector preparedness to manage heat-related illnesses. Canada also collaborates with international organizations to share best practices, filling knowledge gaps and advancing research, such as addressing indoor heat health risks. These coordinated efforts aim to protect public health, enhance urban resilience, and mitigate the impacts of extreme heat across Canada.