Government of Canada Helps Protect Ulukhaktok from Climate Risks

August 17, 2026 – Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories

Communities across Canada are adapting to a changing climate. Flooding, extreme heat, wildfires and shoreline erosion affect homes and businesses, put pressure on local infrastructure, and add to the costs that families and municipalities carry. Preparing for these risks in advance is one of the most effective ways to keep people safe and to keep those costs from growing.

Today, the Honourable Rebecca Alty, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member

of Parliament for the Northwest Territories announced that the Hamlet of Ulukhaktok, Northwest Territories is receiving $70,000 for its Climate Adaptation Plan.

The project will update the Hamlet’s 2010 Community Climate Change Adaptation Plan to reflect current environmental, social, and economic conditions. The updated plan will guide decisions on land use, housing, infrastructure, cultural heritage, and food security while building local capacity to address flooding, thaw slumps, coastal erosion, and supply chain risks.

This is just one of 141 climate resilience projects across 128 communities receiving funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund as part of the latest round of commitments under the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative.

The initiative supports adaptation plans, climate-focused asset management, risk assessments, financing studies, and projects that reduce risks to communities, homes and businesses. The Canadian Climate Institute estimates that every $1 spent on climate resilience measures in Canada can save up to $15 in the long term.

Protecting Canadians from a changing climate means preparing before the next flood or heat wave, not after. Doing that work now keeps people safe, holds down the costs that families and communities carry, and keeps Canada's economy strong and competitive. Our government will continue to support communities across the country as they build the resilience their residents depend on.

Quotes

“Canada’s climate is changing. Our government is investing to make these communities more resilient, so that people are protected from flooding, extreme heat and other risks. Building that resilience now is how we keep Canadians safe and keep life affordable for the long term.”

The Honourable Julie Dabrusin
Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature

“Canadian municipalities are tackling climate change head-on – working every day to keep residents safe, protect vital infrastructure, and build communities that can adapt to whatever comes next. This investment empowers communities in every region of the country to turn that commitment into action. FCM, with the support of the Government of Canada, is proud to stand with local leaders as they chart a more resilient path forward for the people they serve."

Tim Tierney
FCM President

“Protecting communities from the growing impacts of climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing Canadian municipalities today. FCM is proud to empower them as they find new and innovative ways to adapt to become more resilient, bolster public safety, and secure critical infrastructure.”

Carole Saab
FCM CEO

“Northern communities are already facing the impacts of climate change, from coastal erosion and permafrost thaw to shifting weather patterns. This investment will help Ulukhaktok update its Climate Adaptation Plan, supporting community-led solutions that strengthen resilience, protect infrastructure, cultural heritage, and enhance food security.”

The Honourable Rebecca Alty
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories

Quick facts

• The Green Municipal Fund manages approximately $2.4 billion in programs funded by the Government of Canada to support municipal environmental priorities. This includes a $530 million federal investment in the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative, launched in June 2024. 

• The $530 million investment is part of more than $2 billion in new federal funding under the National Adaptation Strategy to help communities across Canada prepare for climate change.

• Since 2024, the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative has committed $42.3 million to support 231 projects across Canada.

• According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, extreme weather in 2024 caused an estimated record-breaking $9.4 billion in insured losses, making it the most destructive year in Canadian history. In 2025, insured losses exceeded $2.4 billion.