Climate comfort centres play an essential role during extreme weather events, offering residents a place to shelter, charge devices, use the internet and check in with family and friends.

“Atlantic Canadians know that to weather the storm, we must pull together. Existing climate comfort centres play an essential role in our safety and security during times of crisis. It is vital that these facilities have the capacity, resources and tools to support and shelter our citizens when they need it most. And we also know that after the crisis, these centres help communities and businesses return to economic health and activity. Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, the Government of Canada is able to help communities strengthen their climate comfort centres in Fiona-affected areas, build resilience, and improve planning for future climate-related disasters."

- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The funding announced today for Cape Breton Regional Municipality, in addition to the other annoucements made this week, is another step forward toward building climate resiliency in our region. These centres will help ensure the safety of our communities by offering crucial resources, fostering recovery and providing a safe haven during turbulent times.”

- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso

“The impact and memories of the 2016 Floods, Hurricane Dorian and Hurricane Fiona are ever present in the minds of CBRM residents and leadership. Taking what we have learned from these and other extreme weather events has resulted in a plan to strengthen our network of climate comfort centers across the CBRM. This funding will directly support those made vulnerable by extreme weather and allow our community organizations and volunteers to access the resources they need to keep our community safe as we endure the repercussions of climate change.”

- Amanda MacDougall-Merrill, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality

• Climate Comfort Centres receiving a portion of the funding announced today are:

  • Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department (Glace Bay)
  • Glace Bay Miners Forum (Glace Bay)
  • John J. Nugent Fireman’s Centre (Sydney Mines)

• Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund announced October 4, 2022, the federal government is providing up to $300 million over two years, starting in 2022, to support local communities and businesses affected by the storm and to help long-term recovery efforts.

• ACOA is accepting applications to support communities, businesses and organizations in Atlantic Canada that were directly affected by Hurricane Fiona but are not eligible or are partly eligible for other sources of financial support. 

• The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is a time-limited fund that will end on March 31, 2024. Priority consideration was given to applications for climate comfort centre projects received by November 17, 2023. 

Related products

• Government of Canada helps climate comfort centres in communities impacted by Hurricane Fiona prepare for future disasters
• Guysborough County receives federal investment to improve climate comfort centres
• Port Hawkesbury receives federal investment to improve amenities at climate comfort centre
• Federal investment will help Richmond County make climate comfort centres more accessible and well-equipped
• Federal investment will help Inverness County improve 15 rural climate comfort centres

Kevin Lemkay
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and of the
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Kevin.Lemkay@acoa-apeca.gc.ca

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

Bruce MacDonald
Manager of Emergency Management, Cape Breton Regional Municipality
902-574-3895
BEMacdonad@cbrm.ns.ca

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