Climate Adaptation Project Launches with Public Workshop on November 10

The City of St. Thomas is developing a Climate Adaptation Analysis and Plan to help prepare the community for future climate and weather-related challenges, and residents are invited to help shape the work.

Supported by funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, the project will assess how current and future climate conditions could affect St. Thomas and identify practical actions the City can take to reduce risks, protect infrastructure and services, and strengthen community resilience.

From heavy rainfall and flooding to extreme heat, severe storms and changing winter conditions, weather-related events can affect residents, properties, roads, parks and essential municipal services. The Plan will help the City better understand these risks and establish priorities to inform infrastructure investments, emergency preparedness, municipal planning and long-term decision-making.

Community input will be an important part of developing the Plan. Residents, local businesses, First Nations communities and other stakeholders are encouraged to share their experiences, concerns and priorities to help inform the City's understanding of local climate risks.

The first public engagement opportunity is a community workshop on Tuesday, November 10, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the St. Thomas Public Library.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss their awareness of climate-related risks, share experiences with extreme weather, identify community priorities and offer perspectives on turning adaptation planning into practical action.

Registration is required by Friday, November 6, at 11:59 p.m.

Residents who are unable to attend the workshop can visit the project page to learn more about the Plan and explore engagement opportunities.

Learn more about the project and register for the workshop at speakupstthomas.ca/caap

About the Climate Adaptation Analysis and Plan

The Climate Adaptation Analysis and Plan will provide the City with a practical roadmap for understanding climate-related risks, establishing adaptation priorities and identifying potential actions, timelines and implementation considerations. Recommendations will be informed by community feedback, climate data, technical assessments and input from City staff and relevant stakeholders. 

The Plan will support future municipal planning and decision-making. Community feedback will help inform the process but will not determine technical findings or guarantee that individual suggestions will be implemented.