Western premiers to focus on climate resiliency at meeting in Whistler, B.C.

The high cost of replacing infrastructure andupgrading it to withstand damage from climate-related disasters willbe a key topic of discussion as western premiers meet today inWhistler, B.C.

Host Premier David Eby says he and his counterparts from westernprovinces and territories agree on calling on the federal governmentto boost infrastructure funding, given the increased stresses ontransportation grids across Western Canada.

Eby says recent disasters in British Columbia, such as the heat dome in June2021 and flooding resulting from a series of atmospheric rivers that November, show theneed for new infrastructure to be more resistant to the effects ofclimate change.

Without the necessary upgrades, Eby says Western Canadiancommunities will continue to see strains and slowdowns, not only in main transportation thoroughfares, but also in economic andtrade activities that depend on those routes.

Federal climate strategy

The meeting of western leaders comes the same day asEnvironment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault, other cabinet ministers and senior federal officials arein Vancouver to present the final version of Canada's climate adaptation strategy.

Ottawa's update to the strategy comesless than a year after it was first published,and amid one of Canada's worst wildfire seasons on record.

Tuesday's announcement is expected to be a final version of November's draft and should reveal whether Ottawa's strategy has the blessing of provinces, territories and national Indigenous organizations.

Many will be watching the announcement to see if the federal government boosts its funding for climate adaptation or defers that spending to a later date.

The premiers in Whistler are also expected to discuss issues such as publicsafety and the climate crisis that all provinces and territories face, and how to work together to drive down carbon pollution.

Premiers expected at the meeting including Danielle Smith ofAlberta, Scott Moe of Saskatchewan, Heather Stefanson of Manitoba,Ranj Pillai of Yukon, P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut and Caroline Cochraneof the Northwest Territories.