Disaster Recovery
We support communities across Canada as they recover from disasters and other disruptive events.
Disasters and other disruptive events in Canada are becoming more common. They are having a greater impact and are more challenging to manage. The effects are felt across communities and stay with families long after the event has passed.
We support communities before and after emergencies by:
- Building capacity
- Delivering services
- Coordinating community recovery
We use our expertise to provide support to community leaders. This can help to inform recovery policy and planning.
Our services
Recovery is complex, and community needs change over time. Our programs and services are flexible. We adapt them to each community’s unique needs.
We recognize that communities lead their own recovery. We deliver all our support in partnership with communities.
We deliver services during disasters and other disruptive events when:
- Communities invite us
- Funding is available
- Our support helps respond to the needs of people and communities as they recover
Our role is to complement and coordinate with other supports, including:
- Local services
- Government assistance
- Insurance
Personalized recovery support
We work directly with people to understand their needs and to support their recovery journey.
We help to address urgent needs such as temporary housing and basic necessities. We also help with longer-term needs. For example, we help people navigate recovery and plan a path forward.
Support may include:
- Planning the return home and next steps
- Help with understanding insurance
- Finding and understanding community resources
- Providing referrals and information to support decision-making
- Help with applying for recovery-related financial assistance
- Support with repairing and rebuilding homes
- Financial assistance for recovery-related costs
Household mitigation programs
We help people reduce risks and prepare for future disasters, which may include:
- Financial support to help households adapt their properties to prevent risks from future disasters
- Guidance and resources on simple and proven ways to reduce risk
- Support to identify next steps for reducing future impacts
Financial assistance programs
We recognize the vital role small businesses and not-for-profits play in community recovery. We provide support to help them with this work.
This may include financial assistance for:
- Losses that insurance or other programs do not cover
- Costs of transportation for evacuation or relocation
- Insurance deductibles
- Costs of restarting operations
- Other urgent costs
Mitigation programs
We help small businesses and not-for-profits reduce risks and prepare for future disasters, which may include:
- Financial support to help businesses or not-for-profits adapt their properties to prevent risks from future disasters
- Guidance and resources on simple and proven ways to reduce risk
- Support to identify next steps for reducing future impacts
Granting
We offer grants to support communities and community service organizations, including First Nations, municipalities, charities, and not-for-profits.
This support is available for all stages of recovery. We help with immediate needs after an emergency through to longer-term recovery efforts.
Assistance may include funding for:
- Increasing services to impacted communities
- Activities that foster community healing and wellness
- Equipment and supplies
- Increasing capacity (for example, through training and education)
Community recovery management
We provide expert guidance to local and Indigenous governments, as well as other community leaders involved in recovery.
Every community has its own strengths, priorities, and realities. We adapt our support to help communities lead their own recovery.
Support may include:
- Guiding recovery planning and coordination
- Assistance with navigating complex programs, funding streams, and reporting requirements
- Helping leaders communicate priorities and updates
- Support with documenting and tracking recovery progress
- Support navigating differences in governance structures, resources, and community needs
Community mitigation grants
We help communities reduce risks and prepare for future disasters.
Support may include:
- Funding for community projects to reduce risks and to improve resilience
- Guidance and resources on best practices to reduce risk
- Help to identify next steps
Granting
We offer grants to support communities and community service organizations, including First Nations, municipalities, charities, and not-for-profits.
This support is available for all stages of recovery. We help with immediate needs after an emergency through to longer-term recovery efforts.
Assistance may include funding for:
- Increasing services to impacted communities
- Activities that foster community healing and wellness
- Equipment and supplies
- Increasing capacity (for example, through training and education)
Program administration for financial assistance programs
When requested, we administer financial assistance programs on behalf of governments or partners. To do this, we draw on our experience with program delivery and personalized recovery support.
Support may include:
- Developing and putting in place program elements (such as application forms, guides, information sessions)
- Supporting applicants through the application and review process
- Helping applicants understand insurance