In 2020-2021, Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corporation (OFNTSC) delivered training workshops and information sessions on the Infrastructure Resilience Toolkit (FN-IRT or Toolkit) to First Nations, Tribal Councils and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all workshops were delivered virtually. Participants were provided with information on the FN-IRT as a practical tool to systematically assess the risks of current and future climate change impacts on community infrastructure.
The workshops provided an overview of Module 1 – Data Structure and Sources, but focused primarily on Module 2 – Climate Risks Assessment and Module 3 – Asset Management Plans.
The following topics were covered during all sessions:
- Review of current operations and maintenance (O&M) processes and practices
- Asset management principles and concepts
- Life cycle analysis
- Introduction to weather (conditions today) verses climate (conditions over time)
- Risk management principles and concepts – including climate risks as well as other types of risks
- Climate threats and impacts on assets/asset components
- Climate risk profile for the community infrastructure
- Risk mitigation and adaptation measures
- Incorporating risk mitigation strategies into an Asset Management Plans
A total of two 2-day workshops were delivered to 37 participants representing 14 Unaffiliated First Nations, 10 Tribal Councils, 1 Large First Nation and included 4 representatives from the private sector, Queen’s University and the Government of Costa Rica.
Two 1-day information sessions were delivered to 38 officials from CIRNAC.
First Nation training workshops were well received, with some delegates providing the following comments:
“Miigwetch for providing such a great service/toolkit and for making it very specific, and easy to understand and implement.”
“A tool realistic for planning and executing day to day activities that pin points and identifies the needs of proper maintenance and costs.”
“I’m looking forward to implementing the toolkit in my department and to help guide other departments to do the same!”
“Excited and happy to have this toolkit to use with my everyday challenges.”
“Excellent toolkit and will be looking forward to implementing within our community.”
“Critical contents for First Nations to move towards sustainable communities. O&M as it relates to Climate Change should be recognized and addressed by all levels of government. Thank you!”
“Great Toolkit, definitely beneficial for communities, really hoping to implement in my community.”