Victoria County organizations receive federal investment to strengthen and rebuild
News release
The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is helping communities recover, and build resilience for future climate-related weather events
March 6, 2024 · Englishtown, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
When Hurricane Fiona wreaked havoc on cities and towns along the Atlantic coast, the Government of Canada responded quickly with programs designed to help the region with long-term recovery efforts and adaptations to help businesses and communities recover, restore and rebuild for the future.
Today, Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, announced $4,214,691 in non-repayable contributions through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to help three organizations in Victoria County rebuild and upgrade their facilities. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
These investments will help a local business regain productivity, assist a not-for-profit in restoring community infrastructure and help the municipality upgrade designated comfort centre facilities to improve emergency preparedness. For more information about the funding recipients and projects, please see the backgrounder.
Today’s announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada’s commitment to supporting communities and businesses impacted by Hurricane Fiona, and helping them build resilience against climate-related disasters.
Quotes
“Atlantic Canadians know that to weather the storm, we must pull together. Partnerships build resilience, and that’s why ACOA is partnering with businesses, community organizations and associations to focus support where it’s most needed, and help people prepare for future climate-induced weather events. Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, the Government of Canada is helping communities strengthen, rebuild livelihoods, and safeguard our region’s economy.”
- The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The road to recovery has been challenging for Cape Breton, and the devastation of Hurricane Fiona is still felt by individuals, businesses, and communities. Victoria County is large, and many of its affected communities are remote, making them reliant on local infrastructure, services and businesses. Today’s announcement helps create solutions that meet the specific needs of rural communities and hard-hit sectors, supporting them so they can recover and rebuild for the future.”
- Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria
“The impact and destruction that VCFL suffered on September 22nd, 2022 from Fiona was devastating. As a major employer in Victoria County we were faced with what some thought an impossible task to rebuild. However, with the support of ACOA via the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, we focused on being ready for the 2023 production season. Our start up deadline was met, and VCFL was back into operation. It wouldn't have been possible without ACOA's Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund assistance.”
- Osborne Burke, General Manager of Victoria Co-op Fisheries Limited (VCFL)
“The wharf in Kelly’s Cove is the heart of our community. The community has worked very hard for the past 25 years with fundraising and maintaining this asset. The outer section of the wharf was significantly weakened during Fiona, and in risk of critical failure. Thankfully with the support of ACOA via the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, this critical piece of community infrastrucure will be rebuilt and strenthened to withstand the increasingly strong storms that are impacting Atlantic Canada. This would not have been possible without ACOA’s assistance.”
- Donald Hamilton, Treasurer of Kelly Cove Heritage Society
“These recovery dollars will not only help bolster our emergency preparedness in times of disaster, but it means our residents throughout Victoria County will know where they can go for safe refuge. Following a storm, having a place where folks, especially seniors and those at risk, can go to get a warm meal, a hot coffee, charge their phones and connect with their neighbours, family and loved ones is the true definition of “comfort” in times of distress.”
- Bruce Morrison, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Victoria
Quick facts
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Through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund announced October 4, 2022, the federal government is providing up to $300 million to support local communities and businesses affected by the storm and to help long-term recovery efforts.
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In September 2023, the Government of Canada announced that $9 million of the Fund would be allocated to improving the readiness of designated comfort centres in areas affected by Hurricane Fiona, for future climate-induced weather events.
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The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is a time-limited fund that will end on March 31, 2024.
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Contacts
Connor Burton
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Connor.Burton@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Lauren Sinclair
Director, Communications and Outreach
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Lauren.Sinclair@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
782-641-6365
Osborne Burke
General Manager
Victoria Co-op Fisheries Ltd.
OBurke@victoriafish.com
902-285-0009
Donald Hamilton
Treasurer
Kelly Cove Heritage Society
DJHamilton2020@gmail.com
902-217-7796
Jennifer Dagsvik
Communications Manager
Municipality of the County of Victoria
Jennifer.Dagsvik@victoriacounty.ca
902-295-8135
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