A partnership with the Canadian Urban Institute that connects Canadian municipal and Indigenous governments with the technical expertise they need to design low-carbon and climate resilient infrastructure projects. Since December 2024, the 130+ CRIS Roster firms have prepared project-level climate assessments and pre-feasibility designs for more than 300 infrastructure projects.
The Problem
Communities across Canada are facing extreme heat, flooding, wildfire, drought, coastal erosion, and infrastructure degradation. Most small local and Indigenous governments do not have access to expertise required to assess local risks and future scenarios, and to provide engineering and building science solutions to mitigate these risks and GHG emissions.
Intended Outcomes
Communities secure detailed, project-level climate assessments and technical options reports that present design options for specific facilities, water and stormwater systems, EV charging networks, green infrastructure, and community housing and compare these by impact, cost, payback period, and community benefits.
Our Work Streams
- Expert matching: communities are paired with engineering, architecture, and other building science professionals.
- Climate-ready project design, integrating both carbon reduction and adaptation measures into infrastructure options.
- Support for local capital budgeting, procurement, and facilities and services management.
- Implementation support that positions projects for future investment.
- RCC prepares technical scopes of work, provides project preparation and finance expertise, and oversees review of options reports.
Impact Metrics
655
people convened
1.05M
residents benefiting
300+
projects delivered
The Journey
How this work moved, stage by stage
Define and align priorities
Stage One
Municipal and Indigenous governments across Canada described a consistent gap between identifying a climate risk and securing the technical expertise needed to prepare and evaluate design options. In response the Canadian Urban Institute partnered with RCC to prepare a service roster of 130+ engineering and design firms. CUI leads the service, with RCC contributing technical know how for scopes of work, supporting expert engagements, and overseeing reviews of options reports delivered by experts.
Design and launch implementable solutions
Stage Two
The service matches communities with engineering, design, and building science professionals, then supports them in evaluating infrastructure options with adaptation and mitigation measures integrated from the outset.
Identify and activate resources
Stage Three
300+ municipal projects have been commissioned to date, with over $7.7 million directed toward them, spanning municipal buildings, emergency services, water and stormwater systems, transport, green infrastructure, and housing.
Forge new models of collaboration
Stage Four
New service lines are being developed to address areas where communities encounter recurring barriers: infrastructure portfolio assessments, adaptation finance, flood risk evaluation, housing resilience, and long-term capital planning.
Partner Quote
“We are so happy with CRIS engagement! We would not be able to do this work without a program such as this. We do not have the staffing capacity or engineering expertise to do this within our municipality. This study will provide us with a roadmap on how to improve our recreation facilities by applying for other grants, outlining end of life of equipment, support GHG reductions for our community and will support us with our asset management and capital budget planning.”
Nicole Beauregard, Director of Recreation and Community Service, Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Outcomes Recap
300+ projects commissioned, over $7.7 million directed toward them, and 1.05 million residents benefiting from supported projects.