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Climate change is now part of our reality. Across Southeast New Brunswick, we are already experiencing its effects: heavier rainfall, more frequent heat waves, stronger storms, and coastal erosion are placing increasing pressure on our infrastructure, services, and natural environments.

Whether you live in Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview, Shediac, Cap-Acadie, or one of the region's many rural communities, these changes are having an increasing impact on our daily lives.

Faced with this reality, driven largely by decades of human activity, the province, municipalities, regional organizations, and residents are working together to build stronger, more resilient communities that are better prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

What is climate change adaptation?

Climate change adaptation involves taking action to reduce the risks associated with current and future climate impacts. In practice, it means planning today to protect people, property, natural environments, and the things that matter most to our communities.

This can include:

• Protecting coastal areas from erosion;

• Improving stormwater management systems;

• Planting trees and expanding green spaces;

• Preserving natural environments;

• Strengthening public infrastructure;

• Enhancing emergency preparedness.

Community resilience refers to a community's ability to anticipate, adapt to, and recover from disruptions, particularly those caused by extreme weather events.

An overview of climate change in Southeast New Brunswick

Like communities across Canada and around the world, those in Southeast New Brunswick face a variety of climate-related challenges. Heavy rainfall events are increasing the risk of flooding and placing additional pressure on stormwater drainage systems. Coastal communities must also contend with shoreline erosion and the impacts of coastal storms.

More frequent heat waves are also affecting the health and well-being of residents. Together, these challenges are placing increasing pressure on roads, municipal infrastructure, businesses, public spaces, and the essential services we rely on every day.

Climate projections indicate that Southeast New Brunswick will experience higher temperatures, more intense precipitation events, rising sea levels, and an increased risk of coastal flooding over the coming decades. Planning today will help reduce future risks and costs while strengthening the resilience of our communities.

To better understand the climate-related challenges facing our region and the adaptation solutions available to our communities, we spoke with Brittany Cormier, Executive Director of EOS Eco-Energy, who agreed to answer our questions.

What are the main climate-related challenges facing communities in our region?

"Communities across Southeast New Brunswick are facing increasingly frequent extreme weather events, including flooding, extreme heat, and growing health risks associated with climate change.

Coastal and inland flooding threaten homes, infrastructure, and emergency access routes, particularly in low-lying communities near the Bay of Fundy. At the same time, preparing for extreme heat is becoming increasingly important as temperatures continue to rise.

And regardless of how people feel about climate adaptation, one thing we can all agree on is that ticks have become part of everyday life. Preventing tick-borne illnesses in both people and animals has become another challenge our communities must prepare for."

How can an adaptation plan help municipalities better anticipate climate-related challenges?

"Adaptation planning helps municipalities anticipate risks rather than react to them after they occur. It provides elected officials, municipal staff, organizations, and residents with practical information and concrete actions that everyone can take.

An adaptation plan is like putting on a lifejacket before you need the lifeboat."

What does climate resilience look like in our region?

Climate change adaptation is already well underway across Southeast New Brunswick. Municipalities, environmental organizations, provincial and regional partners are working together to better understand climate risks, protect infrastructure and natural environments, and prepare communities for the challenges ahead.

Heavy rainfalls are becoming more frequent in many communities throughout the region. To reduce the risk of flooding, municipalities are investing in improved stormwater infrastructure as well as nature-based solutions, such as protecting wetlands and expanding green spaces. These natural areas play a vital role in absorbing rainfall and reducing the impacts of extreme weather events.

Southeast New Brunswick's coastline is one of the region's greatest assets. However, coastal erosion and storms present growing challenges for many communities. Protecting dunes, coastal marshes, forests, and wetlands not only helps preserve biodiversity but also strengthens community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Roads, bridges, community facilities, and public service networks must now be designed to withstand increasingly variable weather conditions. As a result, many municipalities throughout the region are integrating climate risks into their planning and development processes.

The City of Moncton recently adopted a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to identify the community's key climate risks and implement measures to better protect infrastructure, essential services, and residents.

Meanwhile, the Municipality of Tantramar has been advancing climate change adaptation and sustainability initiatives for several years. These include implementing its Climate Change Adaptation Plan, developing the Tantramar 2040 Sustainability Plan, establishing a Climate Change Advisory Committee, and partnering with organizations such as EOS Eco-Energy to better understand climate risks and strengthen community resilience.

Regional collaboration at the heart of the solution

The impacts of climate change do not stop at municipal boundaries. Watersheds, transportation networks, and regional infrastructure connect communities throughout the region. Addressing these challenges requires close collaboration among municipalities, regional organizations, governments, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, businesses, and residents.

As Brittany Cormier explains, adaptation is an ongoing process built on meaningful collaboration.

"Everything we do in the area of adaptation moves us forward, but it is important to recognize that adaptation is an ongoing process. Meaningful engagement takes time, and no one should be left behind. It is important to engage key stakeholders early, including Indigenous communities, to support better decisions and stronger outcomes."

Cormier also emphasizes that nature must remain at the heart of the solution.

"Nature-based solutions and resilient natural assets are essential components of effective adaptation planning."

The Southeast RSC supports this work through regional planning, knowledge sharing, and initiatives that promote climate resilience across the region. This collaborative approach helps identify solutions tailored to local realities while strengthening our collective ability to respond to future challenges.

We all have a role to play

Building resilient communities is a shared responsibility. Each of us can help strengthen our region’s resilience by taking simple actions:

• Prepare an emergency kit and a family emergency plan;

• Learn about the climate risks facing your community;

• Protect your property from flooding and storm damage;

• Participate in local community initiatives;

• Plant trees and native vegetation;

• Support environmental projects throughout the region.

While these actions may seem small, together they help strengthen our communities' ability to adapt to climate change.

Looking ahead

Climate change will continue to shape our region in the decades ahead. However, through adaptation, regional collaboration, and collective action, we can reduce risks and better protect people, infrastructure, and natural environments.

By planning today, investing in nature-based solutions, and working together, we can build a stronger, safer, and more resilient Southeast New Brunswick for generations to come.

Learn more

To learn more about climate change, adaptation measures, and initiatives underway in our region:

• Climate Change – Government of New Brunswick

• New Brunswick Climate Change Action Plan (2022–2027)

• EOS Eco-Energy Climate Change Adaptation Toolkit

Strong communities do not happen by chance. They are built through the dedication of volunteers, board members, staff, and community leaders who invest their time and energy in creating opportunities for connection, supporting residents, and improving quality of life.

Across the Southeast region, non-profit organizations play a vital role in bringing people together, protecting local resources, supporting seniors, and responding to community needs. Through its Community and Social Development Department, the Southeast Regional Service Commission (Southeast RSC) helps these organizations increase their impact through its Capacity Building Program. Beyond offering training opportunities, this program also enables non-profit organizations to benefit from peer support through networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and the exchange of best practices that foster collaboration and strengthen the community sector.

Launched in the fall of 2024, the program was designed to provide practical and accessible training tailored to the realities of the community sector. Since its inception, more than 650 participants have attended workshops on a wide range of topics, including board governance, grant applications, food safety, volunteer recruitment and retention, social media management, strategic planning, and human resources. While these sessions are intended to strengthen organizational knowledge and skills, their benefits extend far beyond the organizations themselves.

Strengthening organizational confidence and capacity

For Claudette Boudreau, president of the Scoudouc Golden Age Club, who attended every training session, participating in the Capacity Building Program reinforced her belief in lifelong learning. 

“Education has always been important to me. These sessions give me the confidence I need to effectively manage the Scoudouc Golden Age Club while also allowing me to connect with people who can help us or put us in touch with valuable resources.”

Reflecting on the various workshops she attended, Claudette highlights several key lessons that have helped strengthen her organization’s activities and better support its volunteers.

“The workshop on volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition had the greatest impact on me. It is important to listen to volunteers and understand their interests, strengths, and availability so they can be matched with roles where they feel comfortable, valued, and fulfilled.”

Another participant, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted that the board governance workshop reinforced the importance of having strong policies and procedures in place. Meanwhile, the grant applications workshop introduced new tools, including artificial intelligence resources, that can help organizations prepare stronger funding applications and better meet grant requirements.

Benefits across the region

The impact of the Capacity Building Program can be seen across many organizations and sectors throughout the region.

“The workshops provide a wealth of interesting and highly useful information for community organizations,” said another participant. She also highlighted the quality of the presenters and the relevance of the information shared, noting that the knowledge gained through the various sessions has helped improve her organization’s performance and strengthen her work within the community. 

These testimonials demonstrate that the benefits of capacity building extend well beyond the training room. Stronger governance supports organizational sustainability. More effective volunteer management strengthens community engagement. Better planning and communication strategies enable organizations to reach more people and respond more effectively to local needs.

Whether it is a seniors’ organization fostering social connections, an environmental group protecting local waterways, or a volunteer-led initiative serving residents, stronger organizations help build stronger communities.

By investing in the people who lead, support, and sustain community organizations, the Capacity Building Program is helping make communities throughout the Southeast region more connected, resilient, and better prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Momentum is building on a unique regional trail project in Southeast New Brunswick that will link communities and provide an economic and active lifestyle boost to the entire region.

The Regional Trail Network is an initiative of the Southeast RSC. The project was officially approved in 2025 by the Commission’s Board of Directors, which is composed of the mayors of the region’s 12 municipalities and a representative from the Southeast Rural District.

Since then, planning for the 150 km first phase has progressed, along with the development of marketing and fundraising campaigns to support its completion by 2030.

For Marc Leger, trails coordinator for the Southeast RSC, the regional trail network is a long-held dream that he now sees coming together.

“I love trails, but I love trails because of what they can do and who they can serve,” Leger says. “They serve a wide swath of people. Anybody can use them. You don’t need equipment. You can make them accessible. They are low-cost. They promote healthy living. They are all those things and they tie into everything.”

Connecting Communities Across the Region

The regional trail is a great example of infrastructure cost-sharing, one of the mandates of the Regional Service Commissions. The trail network will ultimately deliver 321 km of biking and walking trails, designed to serve residents and visitors of all ages, incomes, and abilities.

Spanning urban and rural areas, the network will link every municipality in the region – from Fundy National Park to Parlee and Aboiteau beaches, from the Confederation Bridge to Three Rivers. It will provide inclusive access to recreation, active transportation, and tourism opportunities.

Phase 1 will connect Fundy National Park through the tri-communities of Moncton, Riverview, and Dieppe to Shediac and Cap-Acadie. It is expected to be completed by 2030 at an estimated cost of $27 million. The priority will be the Dieppe-to-Shediac segment because of its strong potential for both active transportation and tourism. This phase also includes a major piece of infrastructure: a new trail bridge spanning the Scoudouc River. Nearly 40 per cent of Phase 1 is already complete through the connection of new trail segments with existing trails developed by municipalities and other organizations.

Phase 2 will add another 151 km to the trail network to connect all remaining municipalities and existing trails. Final design of each segment will include community consultation to ensure appropriate alignment with local needs and existing assets. Phase 2 is estimated for completion by 2035 at an additional cost of $18 million.

Leger says the regional trail network will have several benefits. It will have universal access with trails open year-round for users of all mobility levels. A key guiding principle is community integration, with existing informal and unsanctioned trails integrated, maximizing efficiency, connectivity, and lowering costs.

More than a Trail

While the trail will be a significant achievement and piece of regional infrastructure, Leger says there is more to the project.

“I always say that the trail is not the product. The trail is the infrastructure. The product is nature; the product is experience; the product is a restaurant; the product is a service. The product is what attaches itself to the trail.”

The entire network will emphasize safety, providing alternatives to road traffic for schools and parks. One example is a section that will connect Maple Hills to Irishtown Nature Park through the Moncton High School corridor.

Leger said the project will focus on equity and inclusion. It will offer recreational infrastructure to underserved populations. Unlike motorized trails, these trails will be accessible to a broader range of users.

Funding the Vision 

The fundraising strategy is still being developed, but the cost-sharing is expected to be one-third federal, one-third provincial, and one-third from the Southeast RSC. The Southeast RSC portion will include some of its own funding and a major corporate/public fundraising campaign that will be launched in the fall of 2026. That’s when a name for the trail network will be unveiled following a series of focus group sessions. The proposed name will also be reviewed by the Southeast RSC Board.

The name will be important from both a marketing and sense-of-place perspective, Leger says. “It will have to be something that encapsulates the experience and our diversity,” he says.

“The nature of our trail is that it is really diverse. The landscape changes constantly – it’s shoreline, it’s interior, it’s urban-rural, it’s coastline to opposite coastline that have very little in common. It’s urban, rural, suburban . . . it’s all those things.”

Annual maintenance costs are estimated at approximately $100,000 per year for the entire network. The annual cost per resident is estimated at just $2 to $3, covering planning, construction, maintenance, and fundraising.

A Regional Investment in the Future 

Leger says the regional trail network matters for several reasons. It will give residents in every community in the Southeast access to a regional trail, reducing the need to drive to other municipalities for trail use.

The trail system will also support the region’s shift toward sustainable transportation, public health, and economic development. Every segment, while locally situated, will become part of a regional asset open to all residents and to visitors.

“The truly exciting part (of the trail) is the destination. It’s the business, it’s the beautiful meal, it’s the nice accommodations,” Leger explains. “That is what you are taking people to. And the exciting part is sometimes the event that takes place on the trail. That’s where all the value really gets added.”

Leger says the trail is also a tie that binds all the other mandates under the Southeast Regional Service Commission. 

“It ties our communities together, but it also ties all our responsibilities together.”

“This project represents a transformative investment in Southeast New Brunswick’s future,” Leger stressed. “It will connect communities, promote healthy lifestyles, boost tourism, and support environmental sustainability.”

With thoughtful planning, broad support, and efficient use of resources, Leger believes the trail network will become a legacy of accessibility, connectivity, and regional pride.

The very first edition of the Impact Southeast Forum took place in Moncton from April 29 to May 1. Dedicated to the region’s non-profit sector, the event brought together more than 250 participants, including New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt.

A few weeks after the event, we reached out to those who took part in this inaugural edition to hear about their experience. Here’s what they had to say.

“The Impact Southeast Forum was an excellent example of an initiative that fostered dialogue, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among organizations, non-profits, and regional partners.

Congratulations to the Southeast Regional Service Commission for organizing this unifying event. A strong community sector is essential to New Brunswick, and opportunities like this allow organizations to build connections, share their realities, and work together to better meet the needs of their communities. This is what helps advance social and economic inclusion across the province.”

Hélène Hébert, Director of Strategic Partnerships, Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation

“The Impact Southeast Forum provided an exceptional opportunity to connect with dedicated partners, build new relationships, and strengthen existing collaborations. As a member of Vitalité Health Network’s Community Engagement team, this event reinforced the importance of collective action in addressing the needs of our communities.

Beyond the networking opportunities, I was inspired by the diversity of organizations, municipalities, institutions, and citizens in attendance, all united by a shared commitment to positively contribute to the well-being of our region. The conversations allowed us to discover inspiring initiatives, share best practices, and explore new opportunities for collaboration.

I would also like to highlight the quality of the presentations and discussions offered throughout the forum. Speakers, panelists, and participants shared valuable experiences, challenges, and innovative solutions that sparked meaningful reflection and encouraged forward-looking conversations about the future of our region. Their openness and willingness to share their knowledge greatly enriched the event.

Events like this are essential because they create spaces where people can come together, learn from one another, and develop partnerships that lead to tangible benefits for our communities. When we work together, we break down silos, maximize our resources, and strengthen our collective ability to address both current and future challenges.

I left this experience feeling motivated, inspired, and more convinced than ever that collaboration is one of the keys to building strong, inclusive, and healthy communities.”

Nathalie Bernard-Shea, Community Engagement Coordinator, Vitalité Health Network

“The Impact Southeast Forum offered a remarkable range of insights into local and provincial initiatives, while also providing valuable learning opportunities for people across all sectors, including non-profit organizations, businesses, and institutions. The discussions explored practical ways to create positive change for youth and young adults while strengthening the capacity of the organizations that support them. The presence of representatives from the community sector, government, and business community fostered meaningful dialogue and helped break down silos. These gatherings make it possible to address challenges and solutions collectively, rather than working independently.

I have attended many conferences over the years, but few have left me wishing I could have participated in even more workshops and learning sessions. The Impact Southeast Forum is certainly one of them.”

Byron Rayne, Program Manager, Youth QUEST Central

“The Impact Southeast Forum was an extremely enriching experience for our organization. The discussions on mental health, leadership, inclusion, and accessibility sparked important reflections on how we can continue to better support the people we serve.

I particularly appreciated the conversations around measuring social impact, which reminded us of the importance of focusing on the real changes experienced by individuals. The workshops on revenue diversification and social enterprise also provided us with practical tools and new avenues to explore, to ensure the sustainability and growth of our services.

Beyond the workshops and discussions, the forum created valuable opportunities to build relationships with other organizations and partners committed to the well-being of our communities. I left the event inspired, with new ideas and new directions that I continue to implement today.”

Nataliia Haidash, Executive Director, New Brunswick Refugee Clinic

"I had the pleasure of attending the Impact Southeast Forum held at the Moncton Coliseum from April 29 to May 1. The forum offered an outstanding lineup of informative and engaging sessions on topics such as mental health and addictions, board governance and finance, and the importance of building strong relationships between non-profit organizations and municipal governments. In addition to the valuable learning opportunities, the event provided an excellent platform to connect and network with other passionate and like-minded individuals from across the region. 

I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the organizing team for their hard work and dedication in delivering such a meaningful and impactful three-day event. The knowledge, insights, and connections gained will undoubtedly benefit both our organization and the communities we serve."

Bob Rochon, Chairperson of the Bennett and Albert County Health Care Foundation