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, building resilience and improving planning for future climate-related disasters.“
- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA

“I have been on the ground listening to the needs of community members and leaders to understand what they need to recover and rebuild for the future. With strategic investments like the funding announced today for Richmond County, we are helping residents better manage the impacts of future climate-induced events.”
- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso

“This federal investment in communities in Richmond County and across Nova Scotia will have an immediate impact on our ability to keep people safe during increasingly volatile weather events and other types of emergencies.  Rural emergency response plans and facilities need to create safe places for people that are accessible and reasonably close to where they live - seven different community-owned comfort centres in our County will benefit from this investment. It will enable our municipality and communities to be more effective in our response to a crisis, especially when it comes to protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”
- Amanda Mombourquette, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Richmond

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

  • Royal Canadian Legion Branch #150 (Arichat)
  • Little Anse Samson's Cove Social Action Centre (Little Anse)
  • Janvrin's Island Community Hall (Janvrin’s Island )
  • Louisdale Volunteer Fire Department and St. Louis Parish Hall (Louisdale)
  • St. George's Channel Hall (St. George’s Channel)
  • Riverdale Community Centre (Lower River Inhabitants)
  • Lakeside Community Centre (Sampsonville)
  • St. Peter's Lions Hall (St. Peter’s)
  • Grand River Volunteer Fire Department/Community Hall (Grand River).

• 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.

Associated links

• Government of Canada helps climate comfort centres in communities impacted by Hurricane Fiona prepare for future disasters

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

Amanda Momborquette
Warden of the Municipality of the County of Richmond
902-631-0690
AmandaMomborquette@richmondcounty.ca

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