Minister Petitpas Taylor announces opening of applications for communities and hard-hit sectors to recover and rebuild after Hurricane Fiona

News release

Communities and hard-hit sectors can now apply to the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund

November 29, 2022 · Moncton, New Brunswick · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

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.

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced that ACOA will begin accepting applications on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, to support communities and hard-hit sectors in Atlantic Canada that are not eligible for other sources of financial support.

Today’s announcement is an important step in ACOA’s assistance to communities and businesses affected by Hurricane Fiona as part of the $300 million Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund.

This support builds on the $100 million administered by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced on October 17, 2022, to recover lost fishing gear and carry out repairs of small craft harbours damaged by the destructive storm. The total value of today’s announcement is subject to applications received and approved by ACOA.

Minister Petitpas Taylor also indicated that ACOA continues to work closely with officials from various federal departments and agencies to develop other targeted and flexible initiatives to assist in recovery and rebuilding efforts. More information on these measures will be made public in the near future.

Support for communities

Communities and non-profit organizations that provide services to them are eligible to receive support to help with recovery efforts. To be eligible, applicants must have an immediate need, demonstrate quantifiable loss or damage directly resulting from Hurricane Fiona, and have exhausted all other sources of financial support.

For example, applicants might:

  • bring on resources and expertise, such as extra personnel, consultants and/or contractors, to navigate the complex needs of recovery and to plan and rebuild for resiliency.
  • apply for support to replenish emergency supplies and acquire key equipment to strengthen community-level emergency response and infrastructure.
  • restore, replace or repair local assets damaged during the storm but not covered by provincial disaster financial assistance.

Support for hard-hit sectors

Small, coastal and rural communities throughout the region are highly dependent on a number of sectors like aquaculture and forestry, that create jobs and drive the local economy. Many businesses’ operations in these sectors were deeply impacted by the effects of Hurricane Fiona. To that end, and as a start to additional initiatives it will undertake to support storm-ravaged businesses and communities, ACOA will partner with industry organizations and associations to advance projects such as:

  • hiring expertise to better understand the extent of the damage and to develop recovery plans.
  • addressing gaps not covered by provincial disaster financial assistance or other existing federal programs.

Support for businesses       

ACOA has always played a key role supporting Atlantic businesses through hardships. Those needing financial support because of Hurricane Fiona’s devastation are no exception. Impacted Atlantic businesses that are not eligible under other federal measures can count on ACOA whether they need information, advice, or help finding and connecting with federal and provincial programs and support measures. At any time, they can reach out to their local ACOA office to discuss their needs and look at how the Agency can help them.

Quotes

“Hurricane Fiona’s impact continues to take a toll on communities and key economic sectors in Atlantic Canada, especially with winter fast approaching. Building capacity and helping them move forward by giving them some breathing space are Government priorities that are key to rebuilding lives and livelihoods and safeguarding our region’s economy. ACOA remains available at all times for communities and hard-hit sectors that have questions. We will continue to work diligently and in consultation with community and sector leaders who are working hard to restore and rebuild."

- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

Quick facts

  • On October 4, Prime Minister Trudeau announced the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund will provide $300 million over two years to support local communities, businesses and organizations affected by the hurricane and to help long-term recovery efforts. 

  • The Fund is coordinated by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), which has been working with other federal departments and agencies to assess and address recovery needs.

  • As part of this Fund, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada confirmed $100 million for the recovery of lost fishing gear and repairs of small craft harbours damaged by the storm.

  • The Government of Canada also provides financial assistance to provincial governments through the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA). Through the DFAA, the government covers up to 90 per cent of eligible provincial expenses following a disaster.

  • The 2022 Fall Economic Statement established a provision of $1 billion in 2022-23 in anticipation of Hurricane Fiona-related requests from provinces under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.

  • Support announced today through ACOA will be provided through the Agency’s existing suite of programs

  • The total value of today’s announcement is subject to applications received and approved by ACOA. 

  • ACOA will accept applications beginning Tuesday, November 29, 2022, from eligible communities and non-profit organizations that support them, as well as associations representing hard-hit sectors. More information can be found at Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund - Canada.ca.

  • Atlantic Canada’s aquaculture production was valued at more than $325 million in 2020. 

     

    Additional resources

Associated links

Contacts

Marianne Blondin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Marianne.Blondin@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

Media Relations
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-4887
mediaroom-salledesmedias@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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