OTTAWA,
ON, July 18, 2024 /CNW/ - Climate change is a
growing public health concern in Canada. Whether it's worse air quality from
wild fires, or more frequent heat waves across the country, many
Canadians feel the impact of climate change on their mental and
physical health. Warming temperatures and increased extreme weather
events are also putting a strain on our healthcare system.
Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health,
announced the launch of two calls for proposals for the Climate
Change and Health Capacity Building program. Up to $17.7 million in funding will be awarded to
support work that advances climate action in the health sector and
that helps to protect the health of people in Canada from extreme heat.
The first stream of the program will provide up to $4.5 million to support efforts towards building
climate resilient and low-carbon health systems. Key priorities for
the program are to assess climate-related health risks affecting
people in Canada and implement
adaptation measures. This stream will build on the success of
Health Canada's HealthADAPT program, launched in 2018.
Extreme heat events, made worse by climate change, are expected
to become more frequent and severe in Canada. The second
stream of the program will provide up to $13.2 million to protect the health of people in
Canada from extreme heat, through
the new HeatADAPT program. Projects will focus on addressing the
health risks of indoor heat, protecting vulnerable populations, and
supporting efforts to prepare and adapt to extreme heat. These
projects will seek to enhance our understanding of heat-health
risks in Canada.
Health Canada is also working
with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and
Northern Affairs Canada to support work on extreme heat and
adaptation for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.
This funding is made available through the National Adaptation
Strategy and the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan. The
Strategy outlines a long-term vision for a resilient country and a
path to reduce the risks associated with climate-related disasters,
improve health outcomes, protect nature and biodiversity, build and
maintain resilient infrastructure, and support a strong economy and
workers.
Quotes
"With these investments, we are advancing knowledge, capacity,
and innovation in the work to address the health impacts of climate
change. By enhancing our capabilities at local and regional levels,
we can create stronger health systems that effectively adapt to
climate-related challenges."
The Honourable Mark Holland
Minister of Health
"Climate change is having serious effects on the health and
well-being of people living in Canada. We must integrate effective adaptation
measures into our health systems to protect people from
climate-related impacts. Canada's
National Adaptation Strategy, outlines a long-term vision for a
resilient country and a path to reduce the adverse effects of the
impacts that we are currently experiencing, and of those still to
come."
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
"Indigenous communities are often living through the impacts of
climate change first-hand. They also know best what their members
need to adapt to them. The Federal Government will always be at
their side to support their leadership and their priorities."
The Honourable Patty Hajdu
Minister of Indigenous Services
"Indigenous Peoples are on the frontlines of climate change.
These changes are having real impacts on their livelihoods, health,
infrastructure, culture and way of life and this is why we are
supporting Indigenous leadership to address climate change in First
Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. By working in partnership,
we're taking necessary action to create economic prosperity and
build a more sustainable future for Indigenous communities, while
walking the path of reconciliation, together."
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
Quick Facts
- Released in February 2022, the
national climate change and health assessment, Health of
Canadians in a Changing Climate, found that climate change is
already negatively impacting health and health systems in
Canada, and negative effects will
increase in the absence of strong adaptation measures.
- Extreme heat events are a growing public health risk in
Canada. During the extreme heat
wave that impacted Western Canada
in 2021 – one of the deadliest weather-related disasters in
Canadian history – temperatures rose to nearly 50°C and caused at
least 619 deaths in British
Columbia. Of those who died, 98% died due to a heat-related
injury sustained indoors.
- Since 2018, Health Canada has invested approximately
$3.5 million in partnership with 10
health authorities across five provinces and territories through
HealthADAPT.
- The Government of Canada has
invested more than $6.6 billion in
climate change adaptation since 2015. This includes $2.1 billion in commitments since fall 2022 to
implement the National Adaptation Strategy and support other
adaptation-related activities.
- The Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program (CCHAP),
established in 2008, aims to support First Nation and Inuit
communities in building capacity and adapting to the health impacts
of climate change.
Related links
HealthADAPT
Extreme heat events
Climate change and health
Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate
Canada's National Adaptation
Strategy
SOURCE Health Canada (HC)