Ontario Construction News staff writer
Intact Financial Corporation has opened applications for grants of up to $225,000 for municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada to implement projects aimed at reducing flood and wildfire risks.
Applications for the next round of the company’s Climate Resilience Grants program are open from Oct. 19 to Dec. 18, 2026. Municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada may apply for grants of up to $225,000 for practical, community-led projects focused on reducing flood or wildfire risk.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend upcoming program webinars and flood and wildfire risk clinics to hear practical guidance, on-the-ground examples and lessons learned that can inform their resilience planning and strengthen their project application.
Program details, eligibility requirements and webinar registration are available at intactfc.com.
Launched in 2021, the program supports community-led climate adaptation projects, helping municipalities and Indigenous communities move from planning to implementation. Recipients also gain access to expertise, research, tools and partners to help develop and deliver projects.
“Municipalities and Indigenous communities are doing the heavy lifting to protect their communities, but too often, proven ideas stall because the resources to implement them are not there,” says Natalie Higgins, senior vice-president of climate, social impact and government relations at Intact.
“These grants help turn local knowledge and practical plans into action that can better protect people and strengthen resilience for years to come.”
Eligible projects may include community-scale or homeowner-focused initiatives that reduce flood or wildfire risks, improve preparedness and deliver measurable benefits.
Applicants can also access resources from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation to assess climate risks, prioritize measures and strengthen project proposals.
The funding comes as communities across Canada face increasing pressure to prepare for extreme weather. Between May and June 2026, 13 extreme weather events affected the country, including flooding, heavy rainfall, wildfires and storms, according to Intact.
“Resilience is built before disaster strikes,” Higgins says. “Our role is not only to help people recover, but also to work alongside communities to reduce risk and help practical solutions reach more people.”
Since the program began, Intact has invested $4.1 million in 29 climate adaptation projects supporting 48 communities across Canada.
In Banff, Alberta, grantee project efforts have reduced the wildfire risk at about 20 critical infrastructure sites enabling community resilience during extreme weather events.
“We’re grateful for the financial and strategic support from Intact to enhance our community’s resilience to the ever-present and increasing risk of wildfire,” said Corrie DiManno, Mayor, Banff, Alberta. “Intact is making a difference, literally, on the ground in Banff by helping us make small changes that have a big impact on protecting critical infrastructure from being ignited by embers that can blow into town from wildfires kilometres away, as we saw happen in Jasper.”
Municipalities and Indigenous communities interested in applying can review eligibility requirements and register for program webinars and flood and wildfire risk clinics at intactfc.com.
