Climate coalition says federal budget falls short on disaster prevention

A national coalition of businesses, municipalities and environmental groups says the federal budget fails to adequately prepare Canada for costly climate disasters. Climate Proof Canada argued Budget 2026 should have invested more in preventing damage from wildfires, floods and severe storms. The organization said rising disaster losses are harming businesses, damaging infrastructure and increasing housing costs. It warned the economic consequences of natural disasters extend far beyond immediate destruction.

"Climate resilience is economic resilience," the organization stated. The coalition, which includes Indigenous organizations and disaster relief groups, said protecting communities from extreme weather must be part of Canada's long-term economic strategy. It said governments need to focus more on reducing damage before disasters happen instead of relying on emergency response spending. Stronger prevention would protect economic productivity, housing affordability and public infrastructure, the group argued.

Climate Proof Canada is calling for action in three specific areas. It wants renewed and prioritized federal funding for the National Adaptation Strategy, which helps communities prepare for climate change effects. The coalition also seeks dedicated money for climate-resilient infrastructure through the Build Communities Strong Fund to support projects that reduce vulnerability to floods, heat and wildfires. Its third recommendation is to ensure publicly supported housing is not built in high flood or wildfire risk zones and to update building codes for new homes.

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The organization acknowledged some budget measures aimed at emergency preparedness. These include investments for emergency management in First Nations communities. Budget 2026 allocates $865.6 million for the Emergency Management Assistance Program in 2026-27 for on-reserve emergencies, plus $446.2 million in ongoing funding for future response and recovery. It also includes ongoing funding for wildfire protection in First Nations.

However, Climate Proof Canada said these investments do not match the scale of the risks facing the country. It wants a more comprehensive approach involving all levels of government and the private sector. The federal budget itself noted that over 5,400 wildfires burned about 4.5 million hectares across Canada this year, forcing more than 33,750 people from their homes. The coalition said without stronger efforts to reduce extreme weather risks, households, businesses and governments will face growing financial pressures from future disasters.

With files from WestCentralOnline