Ajax Climate Risk and Resiliency Plan

The Town of Ajax has been impacted by a number of climatic events including the 2013 ice storm, 2016 drought, and 2017 flooding. These events have caused property damage, energy and transportation disruptions, injury and economic struggles to the community.

Climate models for the Durham Region suggest that we are likely to experience more climatic changes in the near future including, an increase in temperature, an increase and change in precipitation patterns, as well as more severe storms.

As a result, the Town of Ajax identified the need to examine the specific risks that these climate changes will have on the community from an environment, economic and social perspective.

To date, we have worked multiple municipalities across the great lakes region and stakeholders who provide services in Ajax including conservation authorities, chambers of commerce, utility companies, transit, health departments, local NGO’s, school boards to name a few. Through this collaborative approach, we have been able to better understand the risks that Ajax may face.

Funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Climate Innovation program has further enabled the Town to complete a detailed climate vulnerable assessment identifying concerns relating to:

  • Stormwater and Overland Flooding
  • Impacts on the Natural Environment
  • Gaps in Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Town is now looking to take this information and develop a Climate Adaptation Plan named the “Ajax Climate Risk and Resiliency Plan. This plan will identify, prioritize and cost the work that needs to be completed in order to ensure that the community can adapt from the threats that climate change poses. The plan will be used to directly support the Town of Ajax’s Asset Management Plan and long term budget forecast, as well as help support stakeholder, in their work to help ensure that climate change has minimal impacts to our community, and ensure resiliency is a top priority across the municipality.

Goal:

Gain support and understanding in the development of the Ajax Community Climate Adaptation Plan through informing, educating and engaging the Ajax community including its residents, businesses and visitors as well as a diverse range of stakeholders on the impacts of climate change in Ajax and helping understand what needs to be done to ensure Ajax remains resilient.

Objectives

  • Provide information in a timely manner about the Climate Adaptation Plan to all stakeholders and the public.
  • Host collaborative and interactive meetings and conversations about Climate Adaption in Ajax with a diverse range of stakeholders.
  • Identify the actions that need to be taken to achieve the goals and vision of the plan
  • Educate and inform participants and the public by providing information in a way that is accessible, clear and easy to understand.

Steering Committee

The Climate Adaptation Steering Committee oversees the development of the project. The committee consists of municipal staff from a range of departments. These resources have been identified to help ensure that a communitywide approach is being taken to complete the project. The project team consists of the following areas of expertise:

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • GIS
  • Policy Planning
  • Stormwater Engineering
  • Community Development
  • Finance
  • Fire & Emergency Services
  • Forestry & Horticulture
  • Asset Management

The Town of Ajax has been impacted by a number of climatic events including the 2013 ice storm, 2016 drought, and 2017 flooding. These events have caused property damage, energy and transportation disruptions, injury and economic struggles to the community.

Climate models for the Durham Region suggest that we are likely to experience more climatic changes in the near future including, an increase in temperature, an increase and change in precipitation patterns, as well as more severe storms.

As a result, the Town of Ajax identified the need to examine the specific risks that these climate changes will have on the community from an environment, economic and social perspective.

To date, we have worked multiple municipalities across the great lakes region and stakeholders who provide services in Ajax including conservation authorities, chambers of commerce, utility companies, transit, health departments, local NGO’s, school boards to name a few. Through this collaborative approach, we have been able to better understand the risks that Ajax may face.

Funding from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Municipal Climate Innovation program has further enabled the Town to complete a detailed climate vulnerable assessment identifying concerns relating to:

  • Stormwater and Overland Flooding
  • Impacts on the Natural Environment
  • Gaps in Emergency Preparedness and Response

The Town is now looking to take this information and develop a Climate Adaptation Plan named the “Ajax Climate Risk and Resiliency Plan. This plan will identify, prioritize and cost the work that needs to be completed in order to ensure that the community can adapt from the threats that climate change poses. The plan will be used to directly support the Town of Ajax’s Asset Management Plan and long term budget forecast, as well as help support stakeholder, in their work to help ensure that climate change has minimal impacts to our community, and ensure resiliency is a top priority across the municipality.

Goal:

Gain support and understanding in the development of the Ajax Community Climate Adaptation Plan through informing, educating and engaging the Ajax community including its residents, businesses and visitors as well as a diverse range of stakeholders on the impacts of climate change in Ajax and helping understand what needs to be done to ensure Ajax remains resilient.

Objectives

  • Provide information in a timely manner about the Climate Adaptation Plan to all stakeholders and the public.
  • Host collaborative and interactive meetings and conversations about Climate Adaption in Ajax with a diverse range of stakeholders.
  • Identify the actions that need to be taken to achieve the goals and vision of the plan
  • Educate and inform participants and the public by providing information in a way that is accessible, clear and easy to understand.

Steering Committee

The Climate Adaptation Steering Committee oversees the development of the project. The committee consists of municipal staff from a range of departments. These resources have been identified to help ensure that a communitywide approach is being taken to complete the project. The project team consists of the following areas of expertise:

  • Environmental Sustainability
  • GIS
  • Policy Planning
  • Stormwater Engineering
  • Community Development
  • Finance
  • Fire & Emergency Services
  • Forestry & Horticulture
  • Asset Management
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll #4 - Developing the Ajax Climate Risk and Resiliency Plan

    In Phases 1 and 2 of this project, the Town identified 3 Focus Areas for climate adaptation actions. 

    1. Emergency Preparedness & Response:  This area focuses on ensuring emergency response procedures address extreme weather events (e.g. ice storms or flooding).
    2. Natural Systems: This area focuses on the Town’s natural systems which include private and Town-owned trees, wetlands, creeks, and woodlots.
    3. Stormwater, Flooding, and Erosion: This area focuses on flood and erosion risks for creeks and management of the Town’s stormwater infrastructure (e.g. stormwater ponds and stormwater pipes).

    The

    In Phases 1 and 2 of this project, the Town identified 3 Focus Areas for climate adaptation actions. 

    1. Emergency Preparedness & Response:  This area focuses on ensuring emergency response procedures address extreme weather events (e.g. ice storms or flooding).
    2. Natural Systems: This area focuses on the Town’s natural systems which include private and Town-owned trees, wetlands, creeks, and woodlots.
    3. Stormwater, Flooding, and Erosion: This area focuses on flood and erosion risks for creeks and management of the Town’s stormwater infrastructure (e.g. stormwater ponds and stormwater pipes).

    The purpose of this poll is to find out what types of climate adaption actions, related to the 3 Focus Areas, are most important to you.

    Take Survey
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll #3 - Prioritizing the Risks

    Thank you for helping to shape Ajax’s Climate Risk and Resilience Plan.

    This poll is the final poll of three that with your input will help gauge the level of concern, preparedness and understanding of weather and climate in Ajax.

    The purpose of this exercise is to help inform Town staff and other service delivery providers to your community about what concerns you the most regarding weather and the changing climate. Your participation helps us understand the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate events and helps us evaluate the community’s level of understanding

    Thank you for helping to shape Ajax’s Climate Risk and Resilience Plan.

    This poll is the final poll of three that with your input will help gauge the level of concern, preparedness and understanding of weather and climate in Ajax.

    The purpose of this exercise is to help inform Town staff and other service delivery providers to your community about what concerns you the most regarding weather and the changing climate. Your participation helps us understand the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate events and helps us evaluate the community’s level of understanding of the risks that climate change and severe weather poses. The outcomes of this poll will help us determine specifically what needs to be done across the community to ensure the people in Ajax are resilient to the impacts of climate change. 

    Complete Form
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll # 2 Emergency Preparedness

    Your participation helps us understand what events concern you the most, determine the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate events, and evaluate the level of understanding of the risks that climate change and severe weather poses on our community. 

    The outcomes of this poll will help us determine specifically what needs to be done across the community to ensure the people in Ajax are resilient to the impacts of climate change. 

    Your participation helps us understand what events concern you the most, determine the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate events, and evaluate the level of understanding of the risks that climate change and severe weather poses on our community. 

    The outcomes of this poll will help us determine specifically what needs to be done across the community to ensure the people in Ajax are resilient to the impacts of climate change. 

    Complete Form
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll # 1 Let’s Talk- Weather and Climate!

    Thank you for helping to shape Ajax’s Climate Risk and Resilience Plan.

    This poll is the first poll of three that will help over the next three weeks to help gauge the level of concern, preparedness and understanding of weather and climate in Ajax.

    The purpose of this exercise is to help inform Town staff and other service delivery providers to your community what concerns you the most about weather and the changing climate. Your participating helps us understand what events concern you the most, determine the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate

    Thank you for helping to shape Ajax’s Climate Risk and Resilience Plan.

    This poll is the first poll of three that will help over the next three weeks to help gauge the level of concern, preparedness and understanding of weather and climate in Ajax.

    The purpose of this exercise is to help inform Town staff and other service delivery providers to your community what concerns you the most about weather and the changing climate. Your participating helps us understand what events concern you the most, determine the level of preparedness individuals have in the face of different weather and climate events, and evaluate the level of understanding of the risks that climate change and severe weather poses on our community, The outcomes of this poll will help us determine specifically what needs to be done across the community to ensure the people in Ajax are resilient to the impacts of climate change. 


    Complete Form