Thursday, April 23, 12 p.m. ET
Presented by Addenda Capital and Co-operators
From extreme heat and flooding to wildfires and storms, Canada is facing unprecedented climate-related events that disrupt local economies and put immense strain on public infrastructure. Municipalities are on the front lines of climate change and know what it takes to build climate resilience.
In this FCM Collective webinar, presented by Addenda Capital & Co-operators, we’ll explore Co-operators' Resilience Acceleration Lab—an innovative investing initiative designed to help Canadian municipalities finance climate-resilient infrastructure. Hear how other municipal leaders are thinking creatively about resilience projects, including how to address the growing infrastructure gap.Join us to learn how this resource can help you move towards climate resilient communities and economies.
Moderator
- Don Iveson, Executive Advisor, Climate investing and community resilience, Co-operators and former Mayor of Edmonton
Don Iveson is Executive Advisor at Co-operators’ Resilience Acceleration Lab where he works to help catalyze private capital for community climate adaptation. As Mayor of Edmonton from 2013-2021, he was a driving force behind the creation of Edmonton’s climate-forward City Plan as well as nation-leading climate adaptation investments in stormwater flood management. He now leverages his deep experience in municipal governance to build bridges between government, industry, and the financial sector to solve complex climate challenges. Don also dedicates time to housing issues as Co-Chair of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness and as Chair of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Panelists
- Michelle Gawronsky, Community Leader and Reeve
Michelle Gawronsky is the Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Stuartburn and a respected community leader with deep roots in southeastern Manitoba, where she has lived for over 40 years. She brings decades of experience in public service, healthcare, and regional governance, along with a strong commitment to practical, long-term solutions for rural communities.
Michelle spent 36 years working in healthcare as a Health Care Aide, Activity Director, and Paramedic, gaining frontline experience in emergency services and community care. She later served as President of the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union, representing more than 48,000 public-sector employees across the province and providing leadership at the provincial and national level.
In addition to her role as Reeve, Michelle is actively engaged in regional and crossborder collaboration. She serves as the Canadian Chair of the Roseau River International Water Committee and sits on the Red River Basin Commission and the Seine Rat Roseau Watershed District, with a focus on water protection, environmental stewardship, and intergovernmental cooperation.
Known for her collaborative, community-first approach, Michelle values partnerships across public and private sectors to address complex challenges, particularly in emergency services and water management. Her guiding principle is simple: no more band-aid solutions.
- Patrick Kelly CPA, CMA, Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer, Township of Mapleton
Patrick Kelly is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CMA) and currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer / Treasurer with the Township of Mapleton. A proud graduate of the University of Western Ontario, with over 20 years of progressive experience in the Public Sector, he specializes in long-term integrated financial planning, municipal asset management, corporate procurement, strategy, governance and financial reporting.
Patrick is an active member of the Board of Directors for the Municipal Finance Officers Association (MFOA). He has consistently championed the establishment of a corporate culture committed to holistic Asset Management and previously sat on the Board of Directors for the Canadian Network of Asset Managers (CNAM). Patrick has been a volunteer firefighter for over 20 years and is committed to volunteering his time to support community building through a number of causes.
- Yi Liu, Director, Community Efficiency and Leverage Programs, GMF
Yi Liu is Director, Community Efficiency and Leverage Programs at FCM’s Green Municipal Fund. He brings more than 12 years of experience in sustainability and clean technology, including the past eight years working with passionate teams across FCM and GMF to support municipalities in advancing their sustainability priorities. His work has focused on climate change mitigation and adaptation, building retrofits, sustainable affordable housing, and other initiatives that address both technical and financial challenges. A key focus of his role is helping municipalities leverage additional non-GMF and private capital to advance local projects and maximize impact. Yi holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan and an MBA from the University of Ottawa.