A Systematic Review of the Impacts of Climate Change on Critical Infrastructure in Canada

Critical infrastructure (CI)—the essential systems and facilities that support various societal functions and economic activities—is increasingly at risk from climate change. In Canada, evidence on these risks remains fragmented and uneven. This study presents a systematic review of peer-reviewed research on climate change impacts on CI in Canada, following PRISMA guidelines and a PICO-informed search strategy. Existing research is concentrated geographically in Ontario and British Columbia and focused primarily on transportation, water, wastewater, and energy systems. Flooding, extreme precipitation, temperature variability, and permafrost thaw dominate the hazards examined, while wildfires and compound climate risks receive comparatively little attention. Across sectors, studies consistently document physical damage, service disruptions, economic losses, and cascading failures arising from infrastructure interdependencies. Non-climatic factors, including asset age, geographic location, governance arrangements, and investment levels, emerge as critical determinants of vulnerability and recovery. Methodologically, the literature is dominated by engineering and hydrological modeling, with limited integration of social, institutional, and equity considerations. This review synthesizes current knowledge, identifies persistent gaps, and outlines priorities for advancing climate-resilient CI research and policy in Canada.