Ajax Climate Risk and Resiliency Plan
Consultation has concluded

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