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Auditor General Says Canada’s Flood Maps and Public Portal Are Late and Climate-Blind

Ottawa accepted the findings, with pilots of a climate-ready system slated for 2026.

A cyclist walks their bike at Britannia Beach in Ottawa, as the Ottawa River floods onto a path, on Monday, April 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Homeowners evacuate from their home with their dog as flood waters rise in Rigaud, Que., on April 22, 2026. A new report from the Auditor General of Canada's office finds that Canada is mapping flood risk too slowly to protect Canadians and help them adapt to climate change.

Overview

  • Canada’s auditor general and environment commissioner reported Monday that federal flood mapping is off track for the 2028 goal and the planned public portal leaves out climate change projections.
  • Natural Resources Canada flagged 200 high‑risk areas in 2022, yet fewer than half of 131 funded projects covered those zones, with only 26 maps finished and 11 posted by December 31, 2025.
  • Public Safety’s Flood Risk Finder missed its December 2025 launch and relies on a private, proprietary model that cannot add climate scenarios or be updated.
  • The portal, described as technically complete on April 27, requires provinces and territories to opt in, and as of Tuesday none had joined, leaving the address search function unusable.
  • The government accepted all recommendations and plans 2026 pilots of a climate‑ready system, as rising recovery costs and broad exposure in populated areas make reliable, accessible flood risk information critical for homebuyers, planners and insurers.