Take Action Burlington

Increased heat waves, windstorms, ice storms, drought and flood events are just a few of the climate change impacts being felt in many communities around the world. Burlington is not exempt from such events and we need to be prepared.

Communities are increasingly setting up extreme weather resiliency hubs with local faith-based organizations to offer residents a place to go in case of an extreme weather emergency. Such models exist in the Greater Toronto area such as Brampton’s Lighthouse Project and the Oakville Ready program.

The Burlington Ready Program Community Advisory Group (formerly known as the Lighthouse Program) has been researching best practices on how to launch an extreme weather resiliency hub model partnering with local faith-based organizations. As part of this community-led program, they have collaborated with the Brampton Emergency Management Office, the Halton Environmental Network, Greening Sacred Spaces, Halton Region Police, Burlington Seniors Advisory Committee, local residents and representatives from local faith-based organizations. Their research has led them to mirror the Oakville Ready model, using places of worship as a place to gather and get information during emergency events.

You’re invited to a full-day collaborative workshop to launch Burlington’s resiliency hub model to effect change.

When:

• Thursday, March 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Where:

• Ron Joyce Centre, DeGroote School of Business, 4350 South Service Rd., Burlington

Cost:

• The event is free but if you drive, you need to pay for parking using a credit card.

Event details:

• Resiliency and Workplace Wellness – Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe
• Mental Health Commission of Canada – Steve Jones, Acting Platoon Chief, Burlington Fire Department
• Brampton Lighthouse Program – Michelle Sullivan, Lighthouse Program Coordinator, Brampton Emergency Management Office
• Climate Ready Hamilton – Agnes Richard & Caitlin Thompson, Environment Hamilton
• Oakville Ready Program – Andy Glynn, CEMC / Deputy Fire Chief, Town of Oakville; Lisa Kohler, Executive Director, Halton Environmental Network; and Trisha Henderson, Environmental Coordinator, Town of Oakville
• Greening Sacred Spaces – Lisa Kohler, Executive Director, Halton Environmental Network

Please register at bit.ly/2ukF7J1.

Take Action Burlington! Collectively, we can educate ourselves and prepare for our new climate.