In 2016, during the largest medical evacuation in Canadian history, David Matear witnessed a wall of flames surrounding the downtown Fort McMurray hospital. Although everyone was safely evacuated, the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre suffered smoke damage, leading to a long recovery process. Matear, as the incident commander, oversaw the renovations that involved cleaning the ventilation system and replacing all ceiling tiles. Since then, he has worked in various locations helping hospitals navigate through disasters such as wildfires and COVID-19. Matear believes that Canada needs to do more to protect its hospitals on a larger scale to ensure their resilience against disasters.
Ryan Ness, the director of adaptation research at the Canadian Climate Institute, emphasizes the need to disaster-proof Canada’s hospitals in the face of increasing climate-related emergencies. Disasters such as fires, floods, heat waves, and extreme weather can affect hospitals just as they do the communities they serve. With climate-related emergencies expected to worsen in the future, Ness believes it is urgent for health authorities and ministries to prioritize disaster-proofing essential healthcare infrastructure in vulnerable locations. The Canadian Medical Association has also expressed concern about the vulnerability of Canada’s healthcare facilities, as many were built over 50 years ago, making them susceptible to extreme weather events.
Hospitals outside of Fort McMurray have also faced closures due to extreme weather events in the past. Examples include the Regina General Hospital in 2007, a hospital in New Brunswick in 2012, and multiple health-care facilities in 2017. Ness highlights that a significant percentage of Canada’s hospitals are located in high-risk flood zones, necessitating upgrades such as relocating electrical systems and improving ventilation to combat weather-related challenges. Although these measures may come at a high cost, Ness argues that ensuring the resilience of healthcare facilities is crucial to prevent added costs and potential lives lost during emergencies.
A report prepared for the B.C. government in 2018 cited the example of Superstorm Sandy in 2012, which led to the closure of six hospitals in New York City and incurred significant recovery costs. The report underscored the importance of adopting transformative changes and future-proofing healthcare facilities to withstand the impacts of climate change. Health Canada’s 2022 report on the Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate emphasized the need for health-care facilities to address climate risks and develop strategic plans to adapt to changing climate conditions. Future hospitals like the new St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver are being built with climate change in mind, featuring designs that account for predicted sea-level rise and extreme temperatures.
Not every hospital will need to be fortified against every disaster, but understanding the risks associated with climate change is essential for the healthcare sector. Matear notes that emergency events are becoming more common, necessitating greater preparedness than before. Since the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, which shocked many, subsequent wildfires have continued to threaten communities. Matear emphasizes the importance of being proactive and prepared for emergencies by taking steps to disaster-proof hospitals to ensure they remain operational during crises. By addressing climate risks and implementing resilience measures, Canada can better protect its healthcare infrastructure and the communities it serves from the impacts of climate change.
