Equitable Adaptation Workshop Series

Climate change impacts are intensifying across Canada, placing greater and longer-lasting burdens on all, especially vulnerable communities. At-risk and marginalized people are more likely to experience more severe impacts from climate events: living in flood-prone areas, having adverse health effects from extreme heat, or facing wildfire displacement – among many other potential hazards. Municipalities play a key role in ensuring adaptation efforts are effective, equitable, and benefit all residents.

The Equitable Adaptation Workshop Series, hosted by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund in partnership with regional partners across the country, offers municipal staff a hands-on opportunity to explore practical strategies for undertaking climate adaptation actions while integrating equity. 

As a regional partner, ClimateWest is pleased to offer a regionally specific workshop in Winnipeg on May 28, 2025. 

Event Details

• Date: Wednesday, May 28, 2025
• Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (doors open at 9:30 AM)
• Location: Merchants Corner – Community Room at 541 Selkirk Ave, Winnipeg, MB (this is a fully accessible venue)
• Cost: Free – lunch and light refreshments will also be provided
• Registration deadline: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

For those unable to attend the in person workshop, an online workshop for all regions will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT.

Click HERE for more information and registration page.

About the Workshop

Through case studies, peer learning, local experience, and expert resources, participants will gain practical tools to improve equitable climate adaptation action. Featuring local speakers and facilitators, workshop participants will:

•  Plan actions for more effective adaptation
•  Discuss project steps toward climate adaptation, emphasizing an equity focus
•  Examine the ‘who’ and the ‘where’ of climate actions
•  Ensure actions target fairness in resource distribution and infrastructure development
•  Learn about collaborative and inclusive design with engagement beyond consultation

Facilitators & Guest Speakers

			Asha Nelson is a Project Coordinator at ClimateWest and supports the organization’s reconciliation efforts. She brings close to a decade of experience working in the community development sector in Manitoba, leading projects and programs in refugee and immigration settlement, community theatre, food sovereignty, and climate justice. She is an experienced facilitator and passionate about community building.
			Elizabeth Shearer is the Network Coordinator at ClimateWest, where she supports nationwide capacity-building for climate adaptation. With over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector, a background in Environmental Science and an MBA, she combines strategic planning expertise with a deep commitment to climate justice. Elizabeth has led advocacy efforts, campaigns and strategic planning across multiple sectors and programs within the environmental, post-secondary, and arts and culture sectors.
			Karina Cardona – as a critical health geographer, Karina’s research and advocacy has focused on mobility justice and health equity. For over twenty years, she has worked with community organizations, ENGOs and all levels of government to help identify opportunities to address these barriers. She currently works for the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and sits on advisory groups for the Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation Initiative (FCM) and ClimateWest. Learn more about her work through this short documentary, Cripping Climate Adaptation: Disability Justice and Climate Change.
			Stephen Kirk is currently the Coordinator of Environment & Open Spaces with the Spence Neighbourhood Association, where he helps run a greenhouse and 9 community gardens in Winnipeg’s core area. For the past 2 years, he has worked in partnership with Manitoba Eco-Network, Canadian Red Cross and adjacent neighbourhood organizations promoting nature-based solutions to increase urban resilience in a changing climate.