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Aaron Patella, who previously served as a North Hatley councillor, has announced he is running for mayor in the Nov. 2 municipal election, emphasizing transparency, accountability, and community engagement

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

North Hatley resident and longtime entrepreneur Aaron Patella has announced his candidacy for mayor in the upcoming municipal election on Nov. 2, positioning himself as a voice for greater transparency and fiscal responsibility in the village’s administration.

Patella, who previously served on council in 2018, said his decision to run is rooted in both his professional expertise and his concerns over how the town is currently managed. “I want to bring clarity, accountability, and I want to do it in a community that works together,” he said.

Professional and academic background

Patella has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years and teaches business at Champlain College, where he covers administration, marketing, law, and statistics. His academic career includes a master’s degree in finance and ongoing doctoral research focused on municipal financial accounting. Recently, he became a PhD candidate after completing his comprehensive exams.

“With my coursework done, I now have time to devote to properly engaging in municipal politics,” he explained.

First term experience

Elected to council in 2018, Patella said he learned quickly about the pitfalls of small-town politics. His early run, he recalled, was sparked by community anger over restricting free beach access.

“The town’s administration can have an undue influence on an ill-equipped or ill-prepared town council,” he said, stressing that his years in office gave him valuable insight into the system.

Concerns about administration and spending

Patella is openly critical of the current allocation of municipal resources.

“The town’s public administration is spiralled up to 26 per cent of the budget,” he said. “At some point, you can’t tell me that continuing to pay individuals’ salaries is more effective than delegating to town committees and community efforts to do the same job.”

Community engagement and local expertise

North Hatley, Patella said, is home to a highly educated population eager to contribute. “We have a ton of professionals that would love to donate time, and they’re continually rejected. It makes no sense,” he argued.

He believes tapping into residents’ expertise would not only save money but also build stronger community trust.

Addressing cultural transition

Another challenge he identified is maintaining the village’s cultural balance as demographics shift. “We’ve gone from a majority English town to a town that’s now 40-60 English versus French,” he said. “We’ve got to maintain the historicity of our English culture and support our new citizens and make them both feel welcome.”

He suggested the town’s three remaining churches could serve as anchors for cultural and social integration, while secular initiatives should also be strengthened.

Relationship with administration

While he does not plan to run with a slate of councillors, Patella said much depends on the relationship between the mayor and the director general. He emphasized the need for oversight without allowing either side to dominate.

At the same time, he criticized the tone of official communications. “I find a number of them to take a very high horse position on what’s going on, talking down to the citizenry,” he said. The result, he added, is that some residents feel compelled to launch their own investigations.

Campaign outlook

Patella has launched a bilingual campaign website, AaronPatella.com, outlining his priorities. He plans to campaign door-to-door and is open to public discussions or “ask me anything” events. With candidate registration closing soon, he said his focus is on maintaining steady progress. “It is pace, not race,” he said.

Despite a full professional life, Patella stressed he is committed to the role. “A couple of people have said to me, you know, you’re a busy person. But I have time for priorities, as you can see. When it’s important, it gets done.”

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

The Eastern Townships School Board (ETSB) Council of Commissioners met Sept. 23 under the leadership of chair Michael Murray, addressing financial uncertainty, staffing pressures, and questions about support for vulnerable students. Several issues of direct concern to staff and parents took centre stage.

Budget adoption delayed

Murray confirmed that the ETSB’s 2025–26 budget remains unfinished due to months of shifting government directives. “We are still wrestling with all of the conflicting announcements that have been made over the last five months which have precipitated the entire budget process into chaos,” he said. The deadline for school boards has been extended to Oct. 30, with ETSB aiming to adopt its budget on Oct. 28. Murray acknowledged it may need to be passed “with caveats” if conditions are not yet clear.

The board remains caught between shifting provincial requirements and the daily realities of keeping classrooms supported. As Murray put it, “We will present the budget as best we can … with whatever conditional elements it may still contain.”

Cuts and collaboration

Responding to a question about cost savings, Murray outlined a series of service-sharing agreements with neighbouring school service centres, including joint bussing with Val-des-Cerfs, shared adult and vocational centres, and co-managed facilities in Sutton, Lennoxville, and Sherbrooke. He emphasized that collaboration has already helped soften the impact of funding cuts.

Health and safety committees in limbo

The Appalachian Teachers’ Association (ATA) pressed the board on the dismantling of the Bill 59 health and safety framework, saying it had worked effectively. An ATA representative argued prevention was being sidelined: “Last year we had a system that was in place that worked … it could have been tweaked as opposed to dismantled altogether.” Murray said the matter was technical and promised administrators would follow up with details about when new committees would begin work.

Staffing challenges for vulnerable students

Concerns were raised about shortages of support staff and resource teachers, with some students reportedly going without services. One representative noted, “Some of our most vulnerable students may not be receiving the services and support that they require.” Murray admitted financial compressions and staff shortages were straining the system. Although all professional vacancies were filled this year, including a speech and language therapist, he said, “We acknowledge that we cannot deliver all of the services [within] the budget parameters that we’ve been given.”

Devices and insurance costs

Questions also surfaced about teachers being charged $100 for computer repairs. Murray said the board does insure its devices but noted that “the question of repair is always a contentious one.” Administrators will prepare clearer guidelines on when staff may be asked to cover costs.

Defining administrative roles

Staff asked for a clearer outline of responsibilities within ETSB’s senior administration. Murray explained that while broad roles exist, “almost every administrator wears multiple hats … they overlap and intersect so much that there are no clear boundaries.” He emphasized that cooperation, rather than rigid definitions, guides board operations.

Professional development and legal fees

Concerns were raised about rising spending on consultants and legal services during a period of school-level cuts. Murray replied that most professional development budgets are decentralized to schools, with local staff councils deciding how to use them. On legal costs, he stressed these are primarily tied to internal labour matters and grievances, not to Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) lawsuits. “No part of our school budget goes to support … QESBA legal initiatives,” he said.

Student adaptation to new cell phone rules

The Student Advisory Committee reported that students were adjusting to limits on cell phone use. Many rely on their devices for agendas or calculators, with one student remarking they would “have to buy a calculator.” Commissioners noted the importance of monitoring how restrictions affect learning and daily organization.

Other highlights

• Graduation rates improving: Director General Kandy Mackey noted that despite higher vulnerability among ETSB’s kindergarten entrants, 75.6 per cent of students now graduate within seven years, with 66 per cent of students with special needs completing their studies.
• Recognition of excellence: Schools held Terry Fox Runs, raising thousands for cancer research. ADS Elementary inaugurated a “Buddy Bench” to encourage kindness and inclusion, while Phelps Helps launched a $550,000 fundraising campaign for a new youth space.
• Transportation update: Most bus routes are running, though a few remain affected by driver absences.

William Crooks
Dr. Laurie Laberge and Dr. Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise at Bishop’s University’s new Psychology Clinic on Sept. 23

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Bishop’s University officially opened its new Psychology Clinic on Sept. 23, marking an important step in expanding access to affordable mental health care in the Eastern Townships. The facility will also serve as a key training ground for doctoral students in clinical psychology, blending community service with hands-on education.

The Record toured the clinic earlier in the day with psychologist and internship manager Dr. Laurie Laberge, who oversees operations. “The services are offered exclusively by the students,” she explained, “they’re supervised by the profs.”

The clinic offers individual therapy sessions at $25 each, a fraction of the roughly $140 charged in the private sector. Laberge emphasized the importance of keeping the service accessible: “It’s a really small amount… so it’s a big difference. We offer the most accessible service here.”

Training future psychologists

Second-year students in Bishop’s Doctor of Psychology program (PsyD) are the first cohort to provide services through the clinic. These students, still generalists at this stage, handle a broad range of cases. If a client’s needs require more specialized expertise, they are referred elsewhere.

The program is accredited by the Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ), which ensures that the training follows established standards. Associate Professor Catherine Malboeuf-Hurtubise, who helped found both the program and the clinic, said the approach is entirely standard. “This is a very normal type of thing,” she noted. “That’s how we all learn.”

The clinic includes therapy rooms equipped with cameras for supervision, a child therapy space, and facilities for group supervision. All recordings remain on secure servers and are protected under provincial privacy law. “It was really complicated,” Laberge admitted of the cybersecurity measures. “We go by the Law 25 for the privacy matters… a really strict law.”

Serving the community

The clinic is open to the public rather than to Bishop’s students, in order to protect confidentiality within the small university community. Clients so far have ranged in age from eight to 75. Half of the clinic’s early requests have come from English-speaking residents, many of whom reported struggling to find services in English. Others are francophones, reflecting the bilingual mission of the clinic.

Doctoral student Emilie McLean, who is part of the inaugural group of interns, told The Record she is looking forward to applying her training in a real-world setting and helping meet the region’s need for care.

Malboeuf-Hurtubise highlighted that community need was central to the project’s creation. “There is a need in the community for mental health services, especially in English,” she said, explaining that the clinic was designed to serve both francophone and anglophone populations.

Support and growth

A related press release states that the clinic is also supported by the Hewitt Foundation, which funds scholarships for PsyD students. This support allows trainees to focus on their academic and clinical work, with the goal of completing the four-year program and increasing the number of licensed psychologists in the region.

Malboeuf-Hurtubise described the clinic as both a service and an investment in the future. “Through internships, students gain practical experience delivering care to the community. Upon graduation, they will be licensed psychologists equipped to serve clients in both official languages.”

Laberge added that the clinic plans to expand its services over time, with couples therapy expected to be introduced next year. For now, the focus is on building trust with the public and offering high-quality, supervised care.

William Crooks
Raïs Kibonge speaks at the announcement outside Faubourg Mena’sen as Sarah Rahimaly looks on during the campaign event

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Standing outside the Faubourg Mena’sen on Sept. 23, Raïs Kibonge, candidate for mayor of Sherbrooke and leader of Sherbrooke Citoyen, unveiled a three-part housing strategy aimed at taking units out of the speculative market, boosting social and community housing, and speeding up renovations in the municipal housing stock.

The choice of location was deliberate. Faubourg Mena’sen has become a symbol of Sherbrooke’s housing crisis after residents faced uncertainty and upheaval during recent ownership changes. “We must act to prevent human and social tragedies like the one we witnessed here,” Kibonge said, flanked by party members and supporters.

“This is about building a city where the right to housing is not a luxury, but a reality for all,” he added. “Families, seniors, and young people deserve homes that respect their budgets. No one should have to choose between rent and groceries.”

Kibonge explained that his party would support community non-profits (OBNLs) in acquiring rental buildings to protect them from speculation, with the city offering financial backing or municipal guarantees to strengthen their ability to act quickly in competitive transactions.

The second part of the plan is a commitment to progressively raise annual investments in social and community housing from the current $8 million to $12 million by 2029. The move, he said, aligns with Sherbrooke’s housing policy adopted earlier this year, which sets a target of 20 per cent of all housing being out of the private market.

The final measure focuses on renovations. Beginning in 2026, Sherbrooke Citoyen promises an additional $1.5 million annually for refurbishing municipal housing units. “Too many apartments remain vacant while waiting for repairs,” Kibonge noted. “We will make sure no Sherbrookois lives in precarious conditions.”

Sarah Rahimaly, Sherbrooke Citoyen’s candidate in the Pin-Solitaire district, underlined the urgency of the crisis. “Housing is no longer just a matter of availability, but of human dignity,” she said. “The saga around Faubourg Mena’sen must not happen again. Families, seniors, and young people should not have to live in insecurity.”

During the media scrum, Kibonge fielded questions about how the city would finance the new commitments. Asked if property taxes would rise to cover the additional $4 million in annual investment, he replied, “Not only will we not raise taxes for this, but we will manage better. More people are moving to Sherbrooke, new projects are being built, and that brings in new revenues. This is about sound management”.

Pressed on whether $12 million was enough given the scale of need, Kibonge admitted it was not. “Twelve million is not enough, but it is what we can do right now. We started at $2 million, then $4, then $8. By aiming for $12 million by 2029, we give ourselves room to increase progressively and bring in other partners,” he said.

On renovations, Kibonge drew on his experience as former president of the Office municipal d’habitation (OMH). He explained that about 60 to 80 units are typically turned over each year, and the city must keep pace to ensure they can be returned to service quickly. “Renovation brings faster results than new construction,” he said.

Both Kibonge and Rahimaly framed the plan as part of a wider effort to reshape Sherbrooke’s housing market. “We want a city where housing is managed by the community,” Rahimaly said.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

North Hatley held a public meeting on Sept. 16 to present what it describes as four years of accomplishments. With the municipal election scheduled for Nov. 2, where Mayor Marcella Davis-Gerrish has already announced she will seek re-election, the presentation served both as a review and as a forward-looking message about the town’s finances and projects.

According to the presentation, the municipality’s debt has declined significantly from its historic high in the mid-2000s, when major water and sewer system upgrades forced large borrowing. Councillor Michel Desrosiers recalled at a Sept. 18 meeting that, at the time, almost the entire village had to be dug up to replace aging infrastructure, some of which was made of cedar, and that residents lived under a boil-water order for over a decade. Officials credited aggressive pursuit of outside subsidies in recent years for easing the local financial burden, noting that grant money now covers much of the cost of infrastructure upgrades.

The report also highlighted that property values have risen sharply while tax rates have remained stable. Salaries and administrative costs were detailed, along with major projects such as new housing, a daycare, equipment purchases, and the drafting of a new master plan. Councillor Andrew Pelletier said elected officials helped secure government funding through connections in Quebec City, and Davis-Gerrish emphasized that municipal debt repayment is fixed and predictable, unlike personal debt, though refinancing at higher rates can sometimes affect costs.

The mayor said once the remaining debt is paid down, the town could see opportunities for reinvestment or tax relief. She added that councillors are taxpayers too, and “feel the pain” of local finances.

Not everyone agreed with the picture presented. North Hatley resident Antoine Reed, in correspondence with The Record, questioned the debt figure used by the town and argued that audited financial statements should be made public more promptly so residents can assess the municipality’s true financial position. He also raised concerns about administrative spending and council compensation. His full arguments were posted online Sept. 22.

Asked for comment about Reed’s concerns, the town stressed that all figures are audited annually by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton. In a Sept. 22 interview with The Record, Pelletier added he had not studied Reed’s arguments directly but fully supported the town’s presentation, noting that staff handle access-to-information requests and have been under pressure from a high volume of inquiries.

Later that day, Reed told The Record he had received a cease-and-desist notice from the municipality over his comments, which warned of possible legal consequences if he continued to, in the town’s view, misrepresent the facts.

William Crooks
Luc Tremblay, President of the Sherbrooke Hussars Association (SHA), Samuel Beaudette, Commanding Officer of the Sherbrooke Hussars, Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière, and David W. Rothschild, former Colonel and current Administrator of the SHA, in the Milby Golf Course clubhouse Sept. 20. A golf tournament and dinner were held at the location, raising $13,500 for the SHA.

Golf tournament raises $13,500

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Friends, family, veterans, and those currently serving in the local military gathered Sept. 20 at the Milby Golf Course for a tournament fundraiser that brought in $13,500 for the Sherbrooke Hussars Association (SHA). Bookended by a méchoui dinner, over 50 attended with the festivities and fellow-feeling continuing on into the night. Military members let The Record in on the latest happenings in the area: a change of command, an update on the two heritage buildings being renovated, and how recruitment is going overall.

Near the end of the dinner, SHA President Luc Tremblay thanked the more than 20 local organizations that leant their support and noted former Colonel and current SHA Administrator David Rothschild had a hand in liaising with many of them. The guest of honour, Sherbrooke MP Élisabeth Brière, then took over the microphone and addressed the audience.

After joking about her poor performance on the links and congratulating the winners, the team of the Sherbrooke Fusiliers’ Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Jean Janelle, Brière mentioned work was underway and going well on the two Sherbrooke heritage military buildings, the Belvédère Street and William Street Armouries. She congratulated serving members on their recent “historic” 20 per cent raise, which will allow them to better respond to their challenges home and abroad. “Thank you for your service,” she said. She was then presented with “Green Fields Beyond: The Story of the Sherbrooke Fusilier Regiment”, written by local author Daniel M. Braün.

Samuel Beaudette, recently-appointed Commanding Officer of the Sherbrooke Hussars, then spoke on the expanding numbers of the regiment and his optimism for its future. Janelle added in a later conversation that the Fusiliers’ numbers are up as well. After some post-pandemic changes to the regiment , the Fusiliers are now “healthy” and considered the “top in Quebec.” So many recruits are coming in it has become an issue to train them. Janelle speculated that new younger recruits are joining because they are watching the news and want to do something special for Canada. He praised the collaboration between Sherbrooke’s four units in meeting these challenges.

Rothschild emphasized how important the changing of the Hussars’ command was on Sept. 14. It took place at the regiment’s temporary 700 Woodward Street site. Beaudette replaced Lieutenant Colonel Paul Langlais in what Rothschild called a “very formal” and “important” ceremony. Participating were the local Fusiliers’ orchestra and many dignitaries including Brigadier General Stéphane Tardif and other “top brass.” Rothschild noted that Beaudette came all the way up through the ranks to his position, which is rare.

The Hussars’ Chief Warrant Officer Justin Dohler noted Commanding Officers (COs) typically serve three years, perhaps four under special circumstances. The appointment to CO follows a rigorous process and review from Ottawa, with preferential treatment for those having a connection to the history and current functioning of the regiment. A regiment CO oversees every aspect of their unit with a view to maintaining a high “readiness state.” “It’s his name at the end that ensures all is good,” Dohler said.

Former Hussars CO Colonel Louis-Benoît Dutil provided a few more details about the ongoing construction on the armouries. First, parts of the buildings are to be demolished. It is planned that shovels will not hit the ground for new construction until 2027. The buildings are estimated to be finished by 2031. Another large totally new related complex will be constructed in the area in addition to the renovations.    

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From left to right: Pierre Martineau, Johanne Fradette, Constance Ramacieri, Andrew Phaneuf, and Paul-Conrad Carignan, all announced their candidacy in the upcoming Stanstead Township municipal election. Absent from the photo is Brian Wharry.

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Constance Ramacieri has officially announced her candidacy for mayor of Stanstead Township in the upcoming municipal election, scheduled for Nov. 2. Currently serving as a councillor, Ramacieri is hoping to take the next step in her public service journey by building on projects already underway and fostering a broader community conversation about the township’s future.

“I was elected councillor in 2021 without opposition,” she said in a recent interview. That election saw six of the seven seats filled by acclamation, including the mayor’s, which she described as “a very sad moment” for democracy. “We announced our candidacy like to no one… It was right in the midst of COVID,” she recalled. “I actually think people were afraid of running.”

This year, however, the atmosphere is different. “It’s a good time to say: let’s have a good debate,” she said, adding that she’s inspired by famous American journalist Bob Woodward’s statement that “democracy dies in darkness.” Her hope is to encourage dialogue and “shine a light on democracy.”

Ramacieri emphasized that her mayoral run is not a solo venture, even if it’s not a formal slate. On Thursday, Sept. 12, she gathered in Georgeville with like-minded individuals who also announced their candidacies: Pierre Martineau, Johanne Fradette, Andrew Phaneuf, Paul-Conrad Carignan, and Brian Wharry—all running for council seats. “They’re all current councillors who decided to put their names forward again,” she said. “It’s not a slate, but it’s a group of people who have worked well together and share common goals.”

Her decision to run was partly influenced by outgoing mayor Pierre Martineau, who will be seeking a seat as a councillor this time. “We worked well together,” Ramacieri said. “Running for mayor is an opportunity to advance a couple of projects that I’ve been working on. I’m not very original,” she joked. “You start stuff, and you want to see the end of it.”

Among the achievements of the current council are the construction of a new fire hall and extensive roadwork. The township has also adopted an updated urban plan aimed at revitalization. “We want to bring more people into the town,” she said. “What do people think about that? Are they behind us?”

For Ramacieri, the election is not just about continuity but also about gauging public support. “We need to know if the population is behind us, if they want to go in that direction,” she said.

Her key commitments are to the environment, community cohesion, and fiscal responsibility. “We have to be very cautious with public spending,” she noted.

She sees some clear challenges ahead. “We’re an aging population,” she said. “We need to bring in people with new ideas and perspectives.” She also emphasized the importance of preserving the township’s heritage, particularly in Georgeville and Fitch Bay. “We need to work together on common values and common projects.”

While the official nomination period opens soon and other candidates may step forward, Ramacieri welcomes the competition. “I think that’s great for democracy,” she said. “It means we have a vibrant community where people are involved and engaged. That’s good for all of us.”

By William Crooks

Local Journalism Initiative

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) presented new findings Wednesday showing that climate change has significantly increased the likelihood and severity of heat waves across the country during summer 2025 — in some cases making them at least 10 times more likely to occur.

Speaking at a bilingual media briefing held via Zoom, Jennifer Smith, National Warning Preparedness Meteorologist, and Dr. Nathan Gillett, Research Scientist, presented data from Canada’s rapid extreme weather attribution system. The findings suggest a clear human fingerprint in many of the most intense heat events experienced nationwide over the past season.

Diverse and dangerous heat across regions

“Heat touched every part of Canada this summer,” said Smith, “but it didn’t happen all at once.” She explained that the timing and characteristics of heat events varied regionally. Western Canada experienced major heat waves in May and again in late August and September, with daytime highs reaching 40°C in B.C.’s Fraser Canyon. In contrast, Eastern Canada saw a condensed stretch of heat from late June to mid-August, with several regions setting records.

Maple Plains, P.E.I., set an all-time provincial high of 38.1°C on Aug. 12. Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula experienced its longest-ever heat warning: seven consecutive days. “That’s what sticks in people’s memories,” Smith added, emphasizing that Canadians don’t live the monthly averages — they live the extremes.

She also noted that in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, peak heat arrived later than usual, with fewer overall warnings issued despite multiple five-day events along the Mackenzie River Valley.

Quantifying climate change’s role

Dr. Gillett described how the attribution system uses global climate models to compare simulations of pre-industrial climate conditions (without human influence) to present-day climates influenced by greenhouse gas emissions.

Of the 12 heat waves analyzed this summer, 11 were found to be “much more likely” — at least twice as likely — due to human-induced climate change. One event, the Aug. 13 heat wave in Atlantic Canada, was classified as “far more likely,” meaning at least 10 times more likely due to climate change.

“That heat wave was the rarest and most extreme of the season,” said Gillett. “It peaked at around four degrees hotter than the typical hottest day of the year.” He explained that it occurred against a backdrop of already dry conditions, exacerbating wildfire risks.

Gillett displayed a graph showing the Atlantic event as a one-in-100-year occurrence in today’s climate — and far rarer under pre-industrial conditions. “That event was made at least 10 times more likely by human-induced climate change,” he said.

Media Q&A reveals future direction

During the media question period, journalists probed further. In response to a question, Gillett explained how the program has evolved since its 2024 pilot. “We refined our system this year,” he said. “We now focus on how observed heat wave temperatures compare to the hottest day of the year for that region, which is a shift from how we approached the analysis last year.”

He also confirmed that ECCC has begun analyzing precipitation extremes using smaller geographic regions (89 across Canada, versus 17 for heat waves). Early results indicate that precipitation events are also becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, though they require higher-resolution models to analyze effectively.

Gillett addressed timing concerns as well, saying, “We are running the system daily, but it does take time to translate findings into public-facing results. We’re working on releasing these more quickly in the future.”

Asked how researchers distinguish human influence from natural variability, Gillett explained that while solar cycles and volcanoes do affect the climate, their contribution is dwarfed by the warming effect of human-released greenhouse gases. “By far, the dominant factor driving the warming we’ve observed is increases in greenhouse gases from human activity,” he said.

Fewer warnings but longer events

In response to questions about alert patterns, Smith noted that the overall number of heat warnings this year may have been lower than previous years in some regions, but some warnings lasted longer. “We saw very long-duration events, like in Newfoundland and Labrador,” she said. “Previously they may have had warnings for one or two days; this year they had a seven-day event.”

In Western Canada, despite hot daytime highs, fewer heat warnings were issued because overnight lows remained cooler, preventing the events from meeting full warning criteria.

Science for safety and adaptation

“Heat is one of Canada’s deadliest weather hazards,” Smith reminded participants. Gillett echoed this concern, referencing the 2021 Western Canada heat dome, which caused over 600 deaths. He stressed the importance of attribution science for public safety and policy planning.

“These results can help us better plan for, respond to, and rebuild after weather emergencies,” Gillett said. “Understanding how risks are changing can inform decisions to protect Canadians and help plan climate change adaptation strategies.”