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Climate changes incidents across Canada are forcing a rethink in government and industry as wildfires, extreme heat, flooding and heavy rains strain infrastructure and damage and destroy commercial and private property.

The government of British Columbia recently introduced an alert system after almost 600 people died from the effects of a heat dome in summer 2021. In Ontario, recovery from massive Ontario storms became a provincial election issue.

Experts say addressing the climate crisis in terms of infrastructure will require a shift in perspective. IBI Group associate planning manager David Sol pointed to a need to adapt around flooding rather than try to stop a regular and increasing phenomenon, and Arup sustainability and climate services leader Charles Ormsby said it’s important to realize local action has a global impact.