Recent disasters across Canada, including the Lytton wildfire in 2021, Hurricane Fiona in 2022, the Northwest Territories wildfires in 2023, and severe wildfire seasons in 2024 and 2025, have underscored the complexity of disaster recovery. Early planning—ideally before a disaster occurs—can significantly accelerate rebuilding, help businesses resume operations sooner, and integrate measures that reduce future risks during reconstruction.
In response, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and Paul Kovacs, Executive Director of the Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction (ICLR), announced the launch of the Canadian Centre for Recovery and Resilience at ICLR’s Disaster Resilience Display Centre in Toronto. The Centre represents a collaborative effort between Public Safety Canada and ICLR, combining expertise in disaster recovery, risk reduction, and resilience to support communities in preparing for and recovering from disasters more effectively.
The Centre provides communities with access to dedicated experts, specialized guidance, practical resources, and training to support resilient recovery planning. Its approach emphasizes consistent, risk-informed strategies that leverage post-disaster opportunities to strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to future events.
By offering expert support and practical tools, the Canadian Centre for Recovery and Resilience aims to enable faster, safer, and more coordinated recovery efforts, helping communities rebuild stronger while preparing for future disasters.
Minister Olszewski highlighted that the Centre will provide advice, resources, and direct support to ensure recovery is quick, coordinated, and focused on protecting communities, while Minister Julie Dabrusin emphasized its role in strengthening communities, safeguarding the economy, and building a sustainable future amid growing climate disasters. Paul Kovacs added that the Centre reflects ICLR’s commitment to helping communities reduce future risks and build long-term resilience both before and during recovery.
