Webinar: Municipal Risk and Return on Investment Tool

May 4, 2021

Presentation by:

Christine Zimmer, M.Sc (Eng), P.Eng. Chief Specialist, Watershed Projects Division, Credit Valley Conservation Authority

Amna Tariq, P. Eng, Engineer, Watershed Projects Division, Credit Valley Conservation Authority

Description:

Approximately 50% of Canadians believe their storm water systems are in good condition with only about one in five Canadians feeling stormwater systems require immediate major investment. The reality is, in Canada, the annual cost of flooding is anticipated to nearly triple to US$6.6 billion by 2030 if adaptation measures are not taken. While climate tools exist to support municipalities to determine future flood risks, there is a lack of financial tools that allow municipalities and conservation authorities to build the business case for adaptation. To address this gap, Credit Valley Conservation Authority, and the Peel Climate Change Partnership, have developed a Risk and Return on Investment Tool (RROIT) to help make evidence-based, cost-effective decisions to reduce flood and erosion risks. This session provided an overview of the Tool and shared insights from the City of Mississauga and the Town of Caledon about how flooding is being considered in climate action and stormwater master plans.

Presenter Bios:

Christine Zimmer, M.Sc (Eng), P.Eng. Chief Specialist, Watershed Projects Division, Credit Valley Conservation Authority

Christine is recognized as an expert in integrated climate risk management and adaptation strategies for watershed management and green infrastructure. Christine is a member of the Advisory Committee for Environment Canada’s Climate Change Adaptation Platform. She has worked with over 75 private and public sector partners to implement over 25 green infrastructure demonstration sites. Christine is committed to sharing CVC’s leading-edge research and technologies having led more than 40 conferences reaching over 6,000 professionals and community members over the last 15 years. Christine has been recognized both nationally and internationally for leadership in watershed and stormwater management with seven awards, including the Minister of Environments Award for Environmental Excellence, 35 magazine and journal articles as well as 15 radio and television interviews.

Amna Tariq, P. Eng, Engineer, Watershed Projects Division, Credit Valley Conservation Authority

Amna Tariq is a Water Resources Engineer in the Watershed Projects at the Credit Valley Conservation. Since joining CVC in 2010, Amna has had an evolving role, initially responsible for managing a variety of low impact development projects, where her tasks included design review, hydraulic/hydrologic modelling, and performance monitoring. Amna now works in climate change research and development, which includes tackling new and emerging impacts from climate change on water resources and water infrastructure. Her key interest is in developing technical tools which address these impacts with the purpose of streamlining climate change risk and vulnerability assessments and building flood resiliency.

Click here to view the Presentation Slides