Port Hawkesbury receives federal investment to improve amenities at climate comfort centre
News release
The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is helping communities build resilience for future climate-related weather events
January 9, 2024 · Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
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.
By providing a space where people can feel safe, supported, and connected during times of upheaval and uncertainty, climate comfort centres help communities recover more quickly once the crisis has passed.
Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, announced $75,000 in non-repayable funding through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This funding will help the town purchase and install a new portable generator, new baseboard heaters and a new water tank at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. These upgades will allow the facility to function without power so it can be used as a climate comfort centre in times of need. Central communication equipment will also be purchased and installed, ensuring the centre can contact others in times of emergency.
Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting communities and businesses impacted by Hurricane Fiona, and helping them prepare for possible climate-related disasters.
Quotes
“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
“Hurricane Fiona and other climate change-induced disasters highlight the need for well-prepared climate comfort centres. Through investments like this funding for Port Hawkesbury, the Government of Canada is taking real action to help communities recover and rebuild.”
- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso
“The Town of Port Hawkesbury is incredibly grateful to be able to offer our residents a safe place to stay warm and supported during, and following, extreme weather events. The Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre is a diverse and well-used community gathering place; it is wonderful that this program has enabled the provision of this service to expand our Port Hawkesbury emergency preparedness plan which will better meet residents’ needs during challenging weather events.”
- Mayor Brenda Chisholm-Beaton, Town of Port Hawkesbury
Quick facts
-
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
Contacts
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
Terry Doyle
CAO, Town of Port Hawkesbury
902-625-7890
tdoyle@townofph.ca
Stay connected
Follow ACOA on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.
Page details
- Date modified: