Matt Nov 23 2024 at 8:31AM on page 39 Technical Risk changes over time. It is not appropriate to use a single risk assessment for climate considerations, as actions will change for near term, medium term and long term risk mitigation replies
Matt Nov 23 2024 at 8:27AM on page 25 Technical This section, and the guide, in general, is great, but completely unattainable for small communities. There isn't one community under 1000 people in Atlantic Canada that would use this guide - it is too long, too detailed and the suggested actions take too many resources. Even with outside support from outside consultants, the work plan would be too onerous. replies
Matt Nov 23 2024 at 8:23AM on page 29 Editorial This section assumes that communities have some resources or have an idea where to start which is not always correct. replies
Matt Nov 23 2024 at 8:17AM on page 21 Editorial many small municipalities only have limited or part time staff. It is not just a matter of building specialized skills in existing staff replies
Matt Nov 23 2024 at 8:13AM on page 18 Editorial social inclusion supports resilience by increasing adaptive capacity through community cooperation replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 7:07PM on page 23 I think there's a bigger piece missing in the framework about engaging with Indigenous communities and partners early on in the process when considering an infrastructure project. It can't be left until the 'community engagement' part of the checklist as that will be too late. Governments and municipalities should collaborate with First Nations in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN General Assembly 2007). As rights and title holders, it is important to recognize each Nations’ diverse knowledges, experiences, and relationships with the land and their territories. Enhancing cooperation with Indigenous Peoples will not only improve outcomes but will also address disproportionate impacts for Indigenous Peoples. replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 7:00PM on page 25 I don't see anything in this guidance about the prioritization piece of portfolio management. For example, if there are three different infrastructure projects that need to be actioned and there's only budget to do one, how do you choose one project's importance over another as it relates to EDIA? Recommend further research in this area to see if there are tools/ we could provide to assist in this process (ex. Cost benefit analysis that incorporates EDIA aspects) replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 6:45PM on page 41 Recommend adding a hyperlink to the Spectrum of Public Participation for easy access. replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 6:41PM on page 32 I would argue the entire team (not just communications and engagement) should receive at least some level of training on EDIA. Example, at a minimum has everyone taken GBA+, including project manager, engineers, consultants, etc. ? replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 6:37PM on page 31 Is this sentence saying there should be considerations in making sure the childcare facility is affordable? And that cultural and recreational centres should be affordable to access? Recommend clarifying the language to ensure clarity of intent. replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 6:32PM on page 30 When engaging with First Nations communities, data collection (including request for First Nations' oral histories and knowledges) should follow the Nations' protocol and requirements (e.g. The First Nations Principles of ownership, control, access and possession [OCAP]). link replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 5:58PM on page 29 Would be good to include a reference about providing access to child care to ensure caregivers can participate. Women are more often in this role, so can reduce the barrier for women to participate. replies
Becky Major Nov 22 2024 at 5:45PM on page 26 Could be useful to include a different example from new immigrants, as that's already used in 7.1.3.1. Could instead look at age - how will an aging population affect infrastructure needs for seniors? replies
Catherine Nov 22 2024 at 2:44PM on page 30 I don't know if it's appropriate to talk about beauty/aesthetics in this context, but I think there are EDIA considerations here. While function must come first, I think the visual design of an infrastructure project should bring pleasure to the people who live near it. I believe that building a high-functioning eyesore or imposing an particular design on a community with different aesthetic values risks doing harm to the people who live there. It can make them feel undervalued or undermine their sense of ownership/belonging to a place. I don't have any literature to cite, but I think of a community infrastructure project in a park in my neighbourhood, close to a large encampment and many shelters, low-income homes, etc. The city put up a plain, wooden hoarding which would stay in place for several years. It was quickly covered with graffiti saying things like "We want art! Where is the art?" and "Is this what the city thinks of us?" I suspect similar sentiments are widely felt but not necessarily expressed so visibly when ugly or aesthetically inappropriate infrastructure is built in low-income or marginalized neighbourhoods. I have experienced this feeling myself. I don't know if it belongs, but I do think it's an EDIA consideration. replies
Catherine Nov 22 2024 at 10:15AM on page 29 Editorial "There are no hard-to-reach people, only hard-to-access processes." An instructor in community engagement with the International Association for Public Participation shared this, and it has stuck with me. The phrase "hard to reach" ascribes a deficit to the people we are struggling to engage. I suggest changing the phrase "hard-to-reach" populations with "populations that have regularly been excluded from engagement processes." replies
Catherine Nov 22 2024 at 10:09AM on page 27 Editorial I know this isn't meant to be an exhaustive list, but I might add a consideration related to whether the infrastructure will disrupt community cohesion, physically and/or socially. I think of major roads built through neighbourhoods, cutting off access between people and places on the two sides. Or even large buildings, fences, construction hoarding, etc. that limits access to shared spaces and pedestrian routes, even temporarily. I don't have any academic citations to offer, but there's a lot of grey literature about the Spadina Expressway controversy in Toronto as a familiar example. replies
Saidur Rahman Nov 22 2024 at 12:30AM on page 1 Technical Section 3.8, add the sentence - Infrastructure provides lifeline services to the community. Also add - Infrastructure means above and underground physical entities to provide the services. Section 3.14 Add sentence - Adaptation is necessary if infrastructure is vulnerable. Section 4 (Page 8) ...intersecting factors, add Not maintaining SOGR (state-of-good-repair) Section 5.1.2 (Page 13) bottom of the page add, Consider expenses for infrastructure as an investment for future. Section 5.1.5 (Page 14) Add sentence, Building resiliency is important as the old infrastructure to provide services for new demands. Section 5.2.3 (Page 15) Add sentence, Infrastructure enhances connectivity and active community engagements. Section 7.1.1 Comment: Climate data is based on Local Models may change frequently and prediction trend may not be accurate. Section 7.1.5 (Page 24) Add sentence, Vulnerable communities can be identified based on geographic location and geomorphology. Section 7.1.5 (Page 25), Add sentence, Continuous and active engagement is necessary for community well being. Section 7.2.1 Community Engagement, add 7.2.1.7 Have you measure existing condition and performance of your infrastructure? Section 7.2.2 Design Elements, Add 7.2.2.17 Infrastructure redundancy and options for adaptation considered in the design? Section 7.2.3 Team Composition and Procurement, add 7.2.3.11 Have the Team considered Green and Social Procurement? replies
Janet Lo Nov 21 2024 at 4:09PM on page 31 Technical I'm not sure I would suggest "toll-free" highways are positive thing environmentally, socially or economically. replies
Janet Lo Nov 21 2024 at 4:02PM on page 28 Technical Tolls may or may not be a barrier for diverse communities, as the tolls may fund the very infrastructure and services needed by diverse communities. Tolls are an important tool and consideration for transportation demand management and mitigation of greenhouse gases and climate change. replies
Janet Lo Nov 21 2024 at 3:53PM on page 27 Technical I'm not sure I understand the example of EDIA in road maintenance and residential traffic infiltration affecting evacuation routes in an emergency. Is this suggesting that no road maintenance should occur during any times where there could be forest fires, flooding and landslides or that at all times there should not be any alternate routes that have infiltrating traffic in residential areas (which could be very impractical depending on what infrastructure needs to be repaired)? If there were to be an emergency, I do not think road maintenance would allowed to remain in place blocking any evacuation routes. Municipalities would have first responders clearing those evacuation routes. I don't understand this example. replies
Janet Lo Nov 21 2024 at 3:42PM on page 27 Technical The traffic flow example is an unhelpful, NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) type example, because maintenance activities are critical to ensuring that infrastructure does not deteriorate and can be repaired. If there is temporary traffic infiltration to a residential area, because of required maintenance, this should not be held up as example of EDIA considerations. replies
Janet Lo Nov 21 2024 at 3:30PM on page 27 Technical The first sentence/question under 7.1.5.3 is unclear what "it" is referring to? Should "it" be "diverse communities"? replies
Matt Delorme Nov 21 2024 at 8:48AM on page 11 Editorial There is no section on low income individuals. Is this intended to be incorporated on the intersection of economic disparity with the groups listed here? Similar question with people who don't have reliable housing - they are at major risk in major climate events. replies
Kelly Nov 20 2024 at 12:53PM on page 27 Editorial has this been sent to MECP for feedback? Infrastructure planning is normally governed by MECP with respect to risk and consultation. It may well be a worthwhile reach out. replies
Kelly Nov 20 2024 at 12:24PM on page 23 Technical this is good. it is quite generic but i am assuming it is that organizations can customize based on their own needs. and it is a free resource not requiring any form of login which is rare and appealing to many. replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:56AM on page 11 Is this accurate? Recent Atlantic Canada events have substantially impacted children (fatalities in flood events) and elderly / disabled people (extended power outages) replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:54AM on page 10 Editorial This conflates infrastructure and individual sensitivity. Infrastructure sensitivity is measured by the long or short term decrease of functional performance, increased operations and maintenance activity / costs or long term loss of function. Individual sensitivity is as described and is related to loss of access to services from infrastructure failure. Infrastructure can be sensitive to failure without loss of service access with adequate risk mitigation. replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:49AM on page 9 Technical a mitigation plan is only the reducing risk part. replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:46AM on page 9 Editorial Portfolio, from a PIEVC perspective, is a collection of services and supporting assets, not projects, programs and related organizational services. replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:38AM on page 6 Editorial Use IPCC definition for climate change replies
Matt Delorme Nov 20 2024 at 8:34AM on page 4 Editorial To add to to Gerald's comment, the disaster component is recognized as "disasters resulting from insufficient planning for natural hazards" replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 7:50PM on page 26 Editorial This document is amazing: link Can its suggestions be worked into this document? replies
Charles Curry (PCIC) Nov 19 2024 at 7:46PM on page 25 Technical In 7.1.1.1, reference is made to "infrastructure maintenance data and tools." That there are also accessible tools available for climate data projections could be mentioned here, instead of just saying "climate trends data" (trends are not the only important info for assessing climate change impacts). For example, the online tools available through PCIC and ClimateData.ca come to mind. replies
Charles Curry (PCIC) Nov 19 2024 at 7:37PM on page 25 Technical The term "forecasting" isn't really appropriate for future climate projections, which come with higher uncertainty than short-term weather forecasts. The timing of modelled climate change, e.g., is intrinsically much more uncertain, even if can express some confidence in the magnitude and direction of change. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:59PM on page 21 Editorial All related municipal staff and Council members need training and education on an equity lens in the context of climate, for this to be possible. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:58PM on page 21 Editorial I think municipal Councils moreso approve budgets, not allocate them? replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:55PM on page 20 Editorial change to "equity vs dominant groups" because sometimes those marginalized depending on the location can be the numerical majority replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:54PM on page 16 Editorial It seems like this section perhaps goes beyond only an equity lens to also discuss an inclusion lens, and a reconciliation lens, etc. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:53PM on page 16 Editorial Could "Increased Social Justice" be a section? Sometimes it is necessary to use legal requirements and financial savings, but at the end of the day governments should serve the people and saving lives and preventing suffering should be government's moral obligation, to achieve increased social justice - in other words, it is the right thing to do. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:50PM on page 17 Editorial This is confusing because we were talking about equity but the paragraph starts out talking about inclusive infrastructure. I think the point needs to be consistent to be more clear. Also, I think there could be more said about how an equity-based approach to retrofits can be applied - or at least more meaningful examples. At the municipal level, we are asked by funders to go beyond engagement with marginalized communities and consider empowerment approaches, for example. It could also include spending more funds on the areas where the most marginalized communities live/depend upon, etc... replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:45PM on page 16 Editorial Also, there are some laws/documents that result in the provincial government's duty to consult. Also relevant is the municipal context - the province's duty to consult can sometimes apply to municipalities - for example, when we have a provincially funded grant, or when there is an Indigenous burial site within the municipality. Also, provincial papers often guide/require municipalities to consult on their secondary and official planning processes - which have environmental impacts. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 6:38PM on page 16 Editorial Perhaps beyond the scope of this document, but you might consider including mention of targeted individualism: link Because the way that dominant groups are having to grapple with climate disaster is also bad and needs improvement - so a targeted universalism approach would mean better for everyone, but still with additional supports for the marginalized replies
Catherine Nov 19 2024 at 5:12PM on page 15 Editorial "The homeless" (or really any "the [adjective") is not a good way to refer to people. replies
Catherine Nov 19 2024 at 4:42PM on page 8 Editorial Infrastructure is defined here as "physical and organizational structures," but the four types listed are all physical - land, buildings, water, energy. replies
Catherine Nov 19 2024 at 4:40PM on page 11 Editorial The phrase starting with "For example, by putting a higher financial burden..." is a fragment, not a complete sentence. Additionally, the logical connection between it and the sentence prior is not clearly expressed. In addition to correcting the sentence fragment, I suggest simplifying the language a bit and making the connection between exclusion and unforeseen negative impacts more overt. replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 4:09PM on page 14 Editorial preferred language is people experiencing houselessness replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 4:08PM on page 13 Editorial In the context of environmental racism in Nova Scotia, Africville is an important example replies
Shannon Nov 19 2024 at 4:05PM on page 13 Editorial There was also an interesting study about how people on mental health related medications are more likely to have heart attacks when it is hot out, and so global warming disproportionately impacts them replies
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