Support through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund will enable communities to improve the readiness of their climate comfort centres
Late last September, Hurricane Fiona ravaged cities and towns in the four Atlantic provinces. Since the first days of disaster response, the Government of Canada has been helping keep people safe, and communities recover and rebuild. And now, as the importance of the preparedness of climate comfort centres in affected areas is more critical than ever, the Government of Canada is ready to help again.
In the days following the storm, many climate comfort centres were quickly opened in impacted communities. The centers provided individuals with the essential services, resources, safety and support they needed to recover, stay warm and shelter. These climate comfort centres play an important role in maintaining the social fabric of communities during times of crisis and in accelerating their return to economic vitality afterwards.
Today, the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced financial support of up to $9 million to help improve the readiness of designated climate comfort centres in areas impacted by Hurricane Fiona for future climate-induced weather events. The dedicated financial support from the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund will provide these centres with specialized equipment and other materials, as well as necessary improvements, repairs and upgrades. Examples of resources and material that can help with community preparedness could include power generators, satellite phones, blankets, cots and other basic emergency tools. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by November 17, 2023.
By focusing on better preparing communities and businesses to protect against climate-related disasters now and for the future, the Government of Canada is helping ensure safety and security during these events, as well as recover and return to economic health and community life more quickly. Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting communities and businesses impacted by Hurricane Fiona.
