Environment and Climate Change Canada released the 2026 edition of Canada’s Changing Climate Report on Sept. 3. The report updates the federal assessment of observed and projected climate change; it is scientific evidence for planning, not a funding announcement, regulatory decision or new territorial policy. Source↗

The assessment provides updated regional evidence relevant to Nunavut decisions involving building design, drainage, water systems, transportation, emergency preparedness and other services exposed to snow, rain, ice and thaw conditions. However, it does not calculate effects, costs or required adaptations for any individual Nunavut community or project.

The report does not establish an implementation deadline or commit money. Governments, Inuit organizations, communities and project proponents can use its findings alongside local observations and site-specific studies; the federal department says report chapters will also be made available as PDFs in coming weeks. Source↗

The report defines the 2.6°C figure as the estimated change in northern regions over 1948–2023, with a very likely range of 1.4°C to 4.1°C. Its 18.9% northern precipitation estimate for 1949–2023 has a more-likely-than-not range of 8.6% to 29.5% and medium confidence, reflecting limited long-term northern station coverage. The late-century winter-precipitation finding is a model projection for 2081–2100 relative to 1850–1900—not a forecast for a particular season or a guarantee for every Nunavut community. Source↗