The next edition of the Ottawa Report is scheduled to be sent at the end of June.
Latest News
Commissioner of the Environment Releases Audit on Flood Hazard Mapping
A recent report from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development found that Public Safety Canada had made progress on advancing a national approach to flood hazard mapping, but that important gaps remain in the consistency, coverage, and accessibility of flood risk information across the country. The audit emphasized that reliable flood maps are essential for land-use planning, emergency preparedness, infrastructure investment, and public awareness, particularly as climate change increases the frequency and severity of flooding events.
The report also found that federal efforts still depend heavily on uneven provincial and territorial participation, which limits the creation of a comprehensive national picture of flood risk. This audit reinforces the continued importance of federal leadership, sustained funding, and intergovernmental coordination to ensure communities have access to current and usable flood hazard information to support infrastructure planning and resilience decisions.
Environment Commissioner Releases Audit of Climate Resilience of Federal Assets and Services
In a separate audit on Climate Resilience of Federal Assets and Services, the commissioner concluded that key federal organizations had not moved quickly enough to assess and address the climate risks facing federal assets and critical public services. The report found that departments and agencies did not consistently identify climate vulnerabilities, prioritize adaptation actions, or integrate resilience considerations into asset management and service delivery in a coordinated way. The audit highlights a broader governance challenge for public infrastructure: climate resilience can not remain a long-term objective without operational plans, clear responsibilities, and measurable progress. The findings underscore the need for better risk assessment, adaptation planning, and investment discipline across all orders of government.
Buy Canadian Policy Now Applies to Major HICC Funded Projects
Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada’s (HICC) Buy Canadian Policy for grant and contribution programming took effect on April 17, 2026, and applies to new funding agreements in programs such as the Build Communities Strong Fund and the Canada Public Transit Fund. For projects valued at $25 million or more in total eligible costs, recipients must implement measures that meaningfully prioritize Canadian materials, suppliers, and content, while projects involving at least $250,000 in priority materials such as steel, aluminum, or wood are strongly encouraged to apply those requirements wherever feasible.
In practice, this means infrastructure proponents receiving HICC support will need to build procurement and contract management processes that reflect Buy Canadian commitments, maintain documentation, and support reporting on compliance. Notably, the policy does allow for ministerial exceptions in cases involving best value, public interest, lack of Canadian capacity, undue delay, or certain commercial off-the-shelf products, and it recognizes equivalent provincial or territorial frameworks where they align with federal objectives.
Parliamentary Business
Private Member’s Bill on Flood and Drought Forecasting Moves to Environment Committee
Member of Parliament Tatiana Auguste presented Bill C-241 as a response to the growing impacts of floods and droughts, saying extreme weather is now a daily reality for many communities and that her goal is to create a national strategy based on science, coordination, and transparency. While appearing at the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) to discuss the bill, she noted that Bill C-241 would help reduce silos between provinces and territories, improve interoperability in forecasting systems, and allow different jurisdictions to “speak the same language” on flood and drought data, while also strengthening data sovereignty and using Canadian expertise to better reflect local realities.
On questions about implementation, MP Auguste said the bill is meant to bring people and governments together rather than impose federal overreach, and that as a private member’s bill it does not itself allocate funding. MP Auguste said she is open to amendments, including on timelines and open-source language, and emphasized that better forecasting would support municipalities, farmers, insurers, and residents by improving infrastructure planning, preparedness, and resilience.
Federal Funding Awarded
Canada Invests in One of Ontario’s Largest Public Transit Systems
Canada and Ontario announced a $11.6 million joint investment with the Regional Municipality of Durham to support public transit upgrades, including new buses and systems to improve reliability and efficiency. The funding is intended to help Durham Region maintain modern, accessible transit service as demand continues to grow.
Minister Olszewski Announces Disaster Recovery Funding for the 2016 Fort McMurray Wildfires
The Government of Canada announced the final payment of $78,394,638 through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program, bringing total federal support for the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfires to $385,394,638. The funding supports Alberta’s recovery efforts and reflects continued federal backing for long-term disaster recovery and resilience. Minister Olszewski highlighted that the DFAA program allows the government to support with eligible disaster response and recovery expenses that have been submitted by the province or territory, reducing what other jurisdictions would reasonably be expected to bear on their own.
Canada Invests in Wellington Extended Aeration Wastewater Treatment Plant
The federal government announced a $20 million investment in the Wellington Extended Aeration Wastewater Treatment Plant in Prince Edward County through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund. The project will support wastewater infrastructure improvements, help the community accommodate growth, and increase the capacity of the plant which was originally constructed in 1975.
Canada and Yukon Partner to Build More Homes and Essential Infrastructure
The federal government and Yukon announced funding to support new homes and essential infrastructure for Yukoners, helping unlock housing supply and strengthen community services. The announcement focuses on building the infrastructure needed to support long-term growth across the territory. These partnerships will deliver approximately $350 million in housing and infrastructure. The first of these partnerships includes $157 million under the Provincial and Territorial stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund to build and renew infrastructure in Yukon. The second of these partnerships is through Build Canada Homes and will accelerate the delivery of up to 500 shovel-ready homes in Yukon.
Federal and Provincial Investment for Mary’s Harbour for New Water Infrastructure
Federal, provincial, and municipal funding of over $1.5 million will support new water and sewer infrastructure along Lodge Bay Road in Mary’s Harbour, Newfoundland and Labrador, including the installation of more than 300 metres of new lines. The project will help enable six additional housing units, improve essential services, and support the community’s long-term growth and sustainability.
Government of Canada Funds New Wildfire-Firefighting Capabilities
The federal government announced a $316.7 million investment over five years to establish a national aerial wildfire surge capacity, adding 10 firefighting aircraft and two support assets through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. The new assets will be available starting in the 2026 wildfire season and will help provinces and territories respond more quickly and effectively during periods of elevated fire activity.
Largest Federal Infrastructure Investment in Town of Lincoln History
The federal government announced a contribution of up to $33.7 million through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to help protect the Town of Lincoln (Ontario) from flooding and shoreline erosion. The project will upgrade roadways, strengthen shoreline protection, and support the continued development of more than 3,500 new homes at Prudhomme’s Landing.
Federal Government Invests in Natural Infrastructure and Wetland Restoration in Bonavista
The federal government announced a $200,000 investment in natural infrastructure and wetland restoration in Bonavista (Newfoundland and Labrador) to improve environmental quality and resilience. The project will support wetland restoration, help manage stormwater, and strengthen long-term community sustainability.
