In a near-future Canada devastated by climate change, extreme winters cripple northern communities reliant on resupply flights and fuel for heating. Catastrophic losses force mass migrations south, with survivors from Northern Ontario, Quebec, the Prairies, and the Territories desperately seeking refuge in perceived safer zones of Southern Ontario, British Columbia, and the Maritimes. This influx overwhelms southern communities already grappling with limited resources. Adding to the crisis, American refugees fleeing harsh conditions in their northern states attempt to enter Canada, only to encounter similar, or even more severe, challenges. The increased pressure leads to the militarization of borders, both formal and informal, with checkpoints turning away desperate and often ill refugees, creating humanitarian crises and forcing difficult ethical decisions on those manning the checkpoints and those seeking safety.

The narrative focuses on the struggles of the displaced, the challenges of aid workers, and the escalating political and societal tensions resulting from the crisis. The story explores the themes of survival, resilience, and the moral complexities of a world grappling with climate collapse, resource scarcity, and the ethics of resource distribution in times of crisis. The novel likely follows multiple characters experiencing the effects of the migration crisis from different perspectives, showing both the despair and humanity of the situation.