The Impact of Climate Change on Canada’s Transport Network

Unpredictable Weather Disrupts Movement

In recent years, extreme weather events like flooding in British Columbia, wildfires in Alberta, and ice storms in Quebec have caused costly disruptions to road and rail systems. These aren't isolated incidents—they're becoming the new normal, forcing governments and industries to rethink long-term planning.

Permafrost and the North

In Northern Canada, melting permafrost is compromising highways and airstrips, which are lifelines for remote communities. Traditional engineering methods are no longer sufficient, and new approaches like elevated roads and thermosiphons are being tested to stabilize ground conditions.

Port Infrastructure Faces Rising Tides

Sea-level rise and storm surges pose a serious risk to Canada's coastal ports, particularly in Vancouver and Halifax. Port authorities are now investing in reinforced infrastructure, improved drainage systems, and weather forecasting technologies to protect critical supply chains.

Cost of Inaction

According to the Canadian Climate Institute, failing to adapt transport infrastructure could cost the country billions annually by 2050. Damage repairs, lost productivity, and delayed goods already have a noticeable economic impact—especially in rural and Indigenous communities where redundancy is limited.

Steps Toward Resilience

Federal and provincial governments are now integrating climate risk assessments into infrastructure planning. The National Adaptation Strategy, released in 2023, emphasizes building more resilient bridges, culverts, and transit systems using climate-resilient materials and smart sensors.

Looking Ahead

While challenges remain, there's momentum. Canada’s transportation future will rely not just on innovation and investment, but on collaboration between governments, engineers, Indigenous leaders, and local communities. Climate-proofing infrastructure isn’t just a necessity—it’s a national priority.