July 18, 2024 | Ottawa, ON | Health Canada

Climate change is a public health issue of increasing concern in Canada. As air quality worsens due to wildfires and heatwaves across the country, many people are feeling the impacts of climate change on their mental and physical health. Rising temperatures and the increase in extreme weather events are also putting strains on our health care system.

Today, the Honourable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced the launch of two calls for proposals for the Strengthening Health Adaptation to Climate Change Contributions Program. Up to $17.7 million will be made available to support work that advances climate action in the health sector and helps protect Canadians’ health from extreme heat.

The first part of the program will provide up to $4.5 million to support efforts to build climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems. The main focus of the program will be on assessing climate-related health risks to Canadians and implementing adaptation measures. This component will build on the success of Health Canada’s ADAPTATIONSanté program, launched in 2018.
Extreme heat events, made worse by climate change, are expected to become more frequent and severe in Canada. The second component of the program will provide up to $13.2 million under the new HealthADAPTATION program to protect the health of Canadians from extreme heat. The projects will focus on health risks associated with indoor heat, protecting vulnerable populations, and supporting efforts to prepare for and adapt to extreme heat. The goal of these projects is to improve our understanding of heat and health risks in Canada.
Health Canada is also working with Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada to support extreme heat response and adaptation work for First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

These funds are provided through the Government of Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy and Adaptation Action Plan. The strategy sets out 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 workforce.