Work

Building Whole-of-Society Resilience in Canada: Harnessing Multisectoral Solutions to Future Challenges

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Facing complex new threats, Canada has expressed interest in developing a whole-of-society approach to both national defence and disasters, similar to models implemented in Nordic states. But how could Canada adapt these Nordic models to work within its very different geographic, political, and demographic conditions? Our analysis develops a three-pillar framework for a Canadian adaptation: industrial integration, strengthened provincial and territorial emergency management systems, and enhanced community-level resilience. It evaluates the current strength of each pillar while identifying unique opportunities to build capacity. Building on insights from Sweden and Finland, the paper demonstrates that a made-in-Canada whole-of-society model is both feasible and necessary for long-term national resilience.

Source: International Journal Canada s Journal of Global Policy Analysis

DOI: 10.1177/00207020261452292

Authors: Gabriel Gomez Arrocha, Zainab Pathan, Teaghan Pelchat, Isaac Joseph Szego

Institution: University of Toronto

Language: English

Topic: Disaster Management and Resilience

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,650