Protecting the Shoreline: Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project Launched by Conservation Halton

By Kezia Royer-Burkett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Burlington Local-News.ca

Conservation Halton, together with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, Hamilton Conservation Authority, Conservation Ontario, and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative, has launched the Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot Project — a multi-jurisdictional effort to strengthen the long-term resilience of Lake Ontario’s coastal communities. Supported by $3.1 million in federal funding through the Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities (CRCC) program, including $1.5 million for this project, the initiative will serve as a model for regional cooperation in addressing flooding, erosion, and other climate change impacts.

For Chandra Sharma, president and CEO of Conservation Halton, the project builds on decades of work.

“Conservation authorities have been responsible for hazards along the coastline for almost 70 years,” she said. “Our shorelines are being impacted right now by extreme weather, fluctuating water levels, and increased erosion. These changes affect private properties, public spaces, and critical infrastructure.” She explained that the CRCC program provided the right opportunity for several conservation authorities to come together under Conservation Ontario to build capacity, prepare proactively, and develop tools, policies, and best practices for shoreline resilience.

The pilot, which spans four years, will involve extensive technical data gathering, climate impact modelling, and collaboration among municipalities, academic partners such as Brock University, and community stakeholders. “The uniqueness of this project is in its partnerships,” Sharma noted. “By engaging leadership at multiple levels, we can inform future governance, planning, and design of our shorelines in light of climate change.”

Sharma emphasized that the benefits will extend to all who live, work, or visit along the shoreline. “Our shoreline is in multiple ownerships: private residents, municipalities, and businesses. This project gives everyone enhanced information to protect their properties and plan upgrades in a way that’s sustainable and resilient,” she said.

Public agencies, she added, will be able to preserve natural spaces and amenities for the growing number of people who enjoy them. “We don’t want our shoreline to be eroded or lost. It’s a unique ecosystem, and with fluctuating water levels and flooding risks, it’s critical to plan for its protection.”

For residents unfamiliar with the concept of flood resilience, Sharma described it simply: “Flooding is a natural phenomenon. What matters is how we prepare for it and address our risks. Conservation authorities maintain forecasting and warning systems, work closely with municipal partners on emergency preparedness, and keep people informed about regulated areas prone to flooding.” She encouraged those living near waterways to visit the Conservation Halton website to learn about their flood zone status and preparedness measures.

While the pilot is currently planned for four years, Sharma made it clear that shoreline protection is an ongoing mission. “Yes, we plan to continue this work. Our job is to keep people and property safe from natural hazards, and we’ve been doing that successfully for seven decades,” she said. “Preparedness is key. We’re constantly evolving our strategies, using the latest science and technology, and deploying real-time monitoring systems to stay ahead of risks.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, underscored the national significance of the work, stating, “We are taking action to strengthen long-term resilience and drive forward regional cooperation. Collaboration will safeguard our coastal communities most affected by our changing climate. The Lake Ontario Coastal Resilience Pilot project, supported through NRCan’s CRCC program, will build knowledge and capacity to manage risk and protect the well-being of Canadians facing rising coastal challenges.”

The launch event closed with technical working sessions where project teams began mapping out the strategic direction for the years ahead. As Sharma reflected, the project’s success hinges on community engagement and collaboration. “We want people to connect to nature and enjoy these spaces, but also to be aware of natural hazards and take steps to protect themselves. That’s how we ensure these shorelines are here for generations to come.”