Heat resilience toolkit for small municipalities

This toolkit provides step-by-step guidance, templates, and examples to help municipalities reduce heat risks, protect vulnerable populations, and build community resilience using practical, nature-based and built-environment solutions.

Why building heat resilience matters

Extreme heat is one of the fastest-growing climate threats to Canadian communities.

In the Canadian context, extreme heat refers to prolonged periods of unusually high temperatures relative to regional norms, which can vary by province or territory. Rising average temperatures¹ and longer heatwaves are increasing risks, particularly for small and rural communities² with limited cooling infrastructure, lack of public transportation, and stretched public health resources.

Activities that reduce heat risk in small communities

Small-scale, rapid interventions that focus on leveraging social capital³ and local networks—common strengths for small communities—can protect residents and increase capacity in the face of extreme heat risks.

Explore practical, on-the-ground activities your community can implement:

Heat safety outreach – Educating residents, distributing cooling kits and implementing neighborhood check-in programs to support those most vulnerable to extreme heat
Shade structures – Installing protective shaded areas in parks, playgrounds and community gathering spaces to reduce heat exposure
Cooling centres – Allow stormwater infiltration, reduce ponding and lessen stress on drainage systems
Tree planting – Increasing canopy cover to reduce temperatures and improve air quality
Water fountains and misting stations – Installing public access points to stay hydrated and reduce heat stress

Principles of effective heat resilience projects

Engage⁴ residents with high vulnerability to heat (including older adults, people with chronic health conditions, low-income households, unhoused communities, and people with disabilities) early in the planning process to ensure their needs are understood
Educate residents with high exposure to heat, such as children, outdoor workers (e.g., farmers, forestry workers) and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, to raise awareness of extreme heat risks
Partner with local organizations, volunteer networks and community groups to extend reach and enhance program sustainability

How heat resilience projects strengthen communities

What your community can gain:

Health safeguards for vulnerable residents: Reduces heat-related illness and mortality among high-risk populations through the distribution of essential heat-health information and cooling resources
Economic resilience: Reduces strain on healthcare facilities and lower associated healthcare costs during extreme heat events
Enhanced community wellness: Provides public spaces and services that can serve as hubs for community support during emergencies

Tools and templates to plan your heat resilience project

Once you’ve identified the right project for your community, use these ready-to-go templates to plan, budget and implement it:

Heat resilience workplan template: Step-by-step planning and timeline tool for your project
Heat resilience RFP template: Editable request for proposal to engage consultant support for your project
Heat resilience budget template: Multi-project Excel workbook
Impact mapping tool: Outcome and co-benefit identification tool

Download and adapt these tools, which include step-by-step guidance pre-populated to support heat resilience planning and implementation.

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