How do Cohorts work?

The Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) helps local governments, municipalities, and Indigenous communities work with climate and infrastructure experts to find practical solutions for making their infrastructure projects more sustainable. Our Cohort model brings together communities facing similar challenges—whether it’s climate hazards like flooding or wildfires, or infrastructure issues like aging facilities that need upgrades—with trusted place-based project partners and experts from our Roster.

Cohort participants get free, tailored one-on-one support and take part in peer learning sessions that help them explore solutions, make progress on their projects, and get ready for future funding opportunities.

Join a Cohort

Discover our ongoing cohorts below:

Ice Rink Upgrades Cohort (SK) Fire Departments Cohort (BC)

Saskatchewan Ice Rink Upgrades Cohort

Planning an upgrade to your community’s ice rink? Get free expert support through the CRIS Ice Rink Cohort in partnership with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) and Eco West Canada! 

Small and rural communities from across Saskatchewan can now join the 2025 CRIS Ice Rink Cohort, a practical and hands-on opportunity to fast-track your rink retrofit. Participants will receive free dedicated one-on-one support along with peer learning sessions designed to explore best options, move projects forward efficiently, and prepare for future funding. 

If your community's ice rink or arena is aging and needs better heating, cooling, insulation, or energy upgrades, you’re not alone. Register to join the cohort and receive project scoping and early design advice and guidance on funding readiness and next steps. This service is open to local governments in Saskatchewan with a population of 30, 000 or less, and an ice rink retrofit project identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan

Register before July 25th, 2025. Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity!

Register for the Ice Rink Upgrade Cohort

About the Ice Rink Cohort

Explore our FAQs to find everything you need to know about the Saskatchewan Ice Rink Upgrades cohort delivered by CRIS, SUMA, and Eco West Canada.

Each participating government will receive:

  • Up to 60 hours of personalized expert support to identify retrofit options, and plan for low-carbon, resilient upgrades.*
  • Virtual peer learning sessions with other local government representatives working on similar projects.
  • A technical options report to help bridge the gap between planning and implementation.
  • Support in aligning your project with potential future funding opportunities. 

*Support may include project scoping and early design advice, identifying low-carbon and resilient retrofit opportunities, and guidance on funding readiness and next steps.

To be eligible for this cohort, local governments must: 

  • Serve a population of approximately 30,000 or less in the province of Saskatchewan
  • Own, operate, or manage an ice rink or arena facility
  • Have a rink retrofit identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
  • Commit to participating in a 12 - 16 week virtual cohort process, including expert sessions and peer activities 

Projects related to retrofitting or replacing of municipal ice rinks or arena facilities are eligible. This includes work on: 

  • HVAC and refrigeration systems 
  • Building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing) 
  • Energy efficiency and emissions reduction measures 

No. Participation in the CRIS Ice Rink Cohort is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS) program, with support from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC). There is no cost to local governments. 

This cohort will operate between August and November 2025. Participants should be prepared to: 

  • Attend a kickoff session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes) 
  • Engage in one-on-one expert meetings (meet 2 times with expert to support expert technical analysis) 
  • Join 2 mid-point peer learning session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes) 
  • Participate in a wrap-up session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes) 
    All other work is completed directly between the municipality and their assigned expert. 

The entire cohort is delivered virtually to maximize flexibility and minimize time away from day-to-day operations. 

Simply complete this short service request form: Submit Here!

It’s a simple, fast process — no lengthy applications required! 

Submission Deadline: July 25th, 2025 
Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity! 

B.C. Fire Departments Cohort

In partnership with the CRIS, the Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C. (FCABC) is inviting its members to join the B.C. Fire Department Cohort—a free opportunity to strengthen fire departments’ critical infrastructure.

This new cohort will support planned upgrades to Fire Departments that improve wildfire resilience, increase energy efficiency, and ensure continuity of operations during emergencies.

Participants will receive free, one-on-one technical support, as well as access to peer learning sessions that explore the best options for projects such as:

  • HVAC upgrades for air filtration, wildfire resilient building materials, and design recommendations for wildfire resilient firehalls.  
  • Mechanical systems and building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing) for energy efficiency and emissions reduction in firehalls.  
  • Climate hazard identification and targeted upgrades to reduce risk for climate hazards in firehalls.  
  • Sprinkler system and wildfire urban interface planning  
  • Emergency power systems, backup battery systems and solar photovoltaic systems
  • And more.

This expert guidance is designed to help advance projects, prepare departments for grant applications, and position them for future funding.

Eligible participants must be FCABC members serving populations of 30,000 or fewer, who own, operate, or manage fire and emergency services infrastructure, and have infrastructure upgrades identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan 

Want to learn more or brainstorm project ideas? Join our upcoming virtual info session on July 30th to find out how your fire department can benefit: Register here

Register for our info session Register for the Fire Departments Cohort

About the Fire Departments Cohort

Explore our FAQs to find everything you need to know about the British Columbia Fire Department cohort delivered by CRIS and the FCABC

Each participating fire department will receive:

  • Up to 60 hours of personalized expert support to identify retrofit options, and plan for low-carbon, resilient upgrades.
  • Virtual peer learning sessions with other local government representatives working on similar projects.
  • A technical options report to help bridge the gap between planning and implementation.
  • Support in aligning your project with potential future funding opportunities. 

To be eligible, Fire Departments must:

  • Serve a population of approximately 30,000 or less in the province of British Columbia
  • Own, operate, or manage fire and emergency services infrastructure  
  • Have infrastructure upgrades identified in a capital plan, operational plan, or asset management plan
  • Commit to participating in a 12 – 16 week virtual cohort process, including expert sessions and peer activities. This includes attending 4 webinars and working with your assigned expert to provide guidance, information and access to resources and background materials related to your 1:1 project. 

This cohort is designed for projects related to upgrading fire and emergency services infrastructure. This includes work on: 

  • HVAC upgrades for air filtration, wildfire resilient building materials, and design recommendations for wildfire resilient firehalls. 
  • Mechanical systems and building envelope improvements (e.g., insulation, roofing) for energy efficiency and emissions reduction in firehalls. 
  • Climate hazard identification and targeted upgrades to reduce risk for climate hazards in firehalls. 
  • Sprinkler system and wildfire urban interface planning 
  • Emergency power systems, backup battery systems and solar photovoltaic systems 
  • Other infrastructure projects not included in this list. If the type of project you’d like to pursue is not included in this list, please inquire about eligibility.  

No. Participation in the CRIS Cohort program is fully funded through the Climate Ready Infrastructure Service (CRIS), with support from Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC). There is no cost to fire departments.

This cohort will operate between October 2025 and February 2026. Participants should be prepared to: 

  • Attend a kickoff session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
  • Engage in one-on-one expert meetings (meet 2 times with expert to support expert technical analysis)
  • Join 2 mid-point peer learning session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)
  • Participate in a wrap-up session (virtual, approx. 90 minutes)

All other work is completed directly between the municipality and their assigned expert. 

The entire cohort is delivered virtually to maximize flexibility and minimize time away from day-to-day operations. 

Yes, each participating fire department can have more than one employee or volunteer attend. For example, a fire chief could attend with a public works manager. 

Simply complete this short service request form: Submit here

It’s a simple, fast process — no lengthy applications required! 

Submission Deadline: September 15th
Space is limited — don’t miss your opportunity! 

Don't fit into our current cohort offerings?

If you have an infrastructure project that you want free expert advice and technical options for, register to be matched one-on-one with an expert from your area.

Register your project