By strengthening the resiliency of our facilities, we’re protecting not just buildings—but the people who rely on them every day.”
— Wendy Ma, Manager, Property & Asset Management, Vancouver Coastal Health
Preparing Today for Tomorrow’s Climate
In the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a forward-thinking initiative is helping ensure that leased health care facilities – those that VCH operates but does not own – are prepared for the climate realities of tomorrow.
The Climate Change & Building Resiliency assessment, part of a broader Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) initiative, is tackling the complex vulnerabilities of existing infrastructure—starting with two pilot sites.
In the assessment phase, the project involved a comprehensive review of each facility’s mechanical, electrical, and structural systems. It evaluated how the facilities might withstand projected climate stressors like heat domes, atmospheric rivers, and wildfire smoke.
Through this lens, the Facilities and Property Management team moved to develop and implement tailored mitigation strategies—ranging from flood protection to air quality improvements to equipment upgrades that enhance energy efficiency while ensuring safer, cooler and healthier indoor spaces for staff and clients.
Turning Insight into Action
What sets this pilot apart is its proactive, system-level approach to climate adaptation in leased environments, where facility control is often limited and depends on building relationships with landlords.
Despite these challenges, the team has already implemented impactful changes, including stronger cooling systems, improved air filtration, and targeted flood mitigation—all while maintaining repair and maintenance budgets.
The initiative illustrates how sustainability efforts can align with long-term financial responsibility and care delivery.
A Scalable Model for Resilient Health Care Facilities
As the work expands beyond the pilot phase, it is laying the foundation for a scalable strategy across the entire VCH-leased facility portfolio. It also reflects a growing understanding within health care that climate resilience isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about people.
Through ongoing collaboration with partners like BC Hydro and FortisBC, VCH is committed to ensuring all health facilities—owned and leased—are prepared for the realities of a changing climate.
