Frequently asked questions - Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund

Here are the top questions ACOA is hearing about the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund. Please contact us if you have questions that are not covered below. 

Q.  What is the Government of Canada’s role in Hurricane Fiona recovery?

A. The Government of Canada has been there since immediately following the storm, with the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), deploying Canadian Armed Forces, making it easier for those unable to work in the aftermath of the storm to apply for EI benefits, and matching donations made to the Canadian Red Cross. In the Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced an extra $1 billion in anticipation of Hurricane Fiona-related requests from provinces under the DFAA.

Building on its ongoing response, the Government of Canada announced, on October 4, 2022, the creation of the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to provide support for costs that may not be covered by existing federal and provincial programs.

Q. What is the purpose of the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund?

A. Through the HFRF, the federal government is providing up to $300 million over 2 years, starting in 2022, to support local communities and businesses affected by the storm and to help long-term recovery efforts.

This support measure is meant to fill gaps for those who may not qualify under their insurance or existing federal and provincial programs such as their province’s DFAA.

Q. What is ACOA’s role in Hurricane Fiona recovery?

A. Immediately following the storm, ACOA officials were on the ground in communities and meeting with local businesses to better understand the storm’s impact. ACOA officials learned that damage differed from province to province and affected some sectors more than others. That means flexibility is required in delivering initiatives that respond to a variety of needs. 
 
In addition, as indicated in the HFRF announcement, ACOA officials have been working closely with federal and provincial representatives, coordinating a response for communities and businesses to recover and to build resilience against future storms.

Q. What measures have been announced under the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund?

A. To date, the following measures have been announced:

• On October 17, 2022, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) announced that $100 million of the HFRF would go toward the rebuilding of small craft harbours and the recovery of lost fishing gear. Questions regarding this support should be directed to DFO.
• On November 29, 2022, ACOA announced that communities, organizations that provide services to them, and industry organizations and associations that support hard-hit sectors could now submit applications for relief.
• On January 20, 2023, ACOA announced up to $40 million over 2 years for the hard-hit shellfish sector in Atlantic Canada.
• On June 9, 2023 Parks Canada announced over $11.6 million to support PEI National Park rehabilitation and repairs following Hurricane Fiona in preparation for the 2023 visitor season
• On July 12, 2023 Parks Canada announced infrastructure improvements in Parks Canada administered places in Cape Breton/Unama’ki with a $43 million investment.

Q.  With the $100 million announced by DFO, does that mean ACOA is not delivering the full $300 million under the HFRF?

A. Yes, that is correct. ACOA is one of several federal departments and agencies that will be delivering targeted assistance in the local recovery and rebuilding efforts. Other measures are being announced by their respective federal departments and agencies. For a list of initiatives announced so far, please see the Government of Canada response to Hurricane Fiona on the HFRF page. 

Q.  What is the status of the remaining allocations not yet announced? 
 
A.  The remaining funds are almost completely allocated. Assessing needs and determining the right way to assist impacted communities and businesses takes time. Further, since the fund is meant to fill gaps not covered by existing support measures, including provincial disaster financial assistance, this requires appropriate coordination with those who deliver these measures. ACOA officials are working closely with partners, making every effort to finalize the details of the support to impacted businesses and communities. Other measures are being announced by their respective federal departments and agencies. For a list of initiatives announced so far, please see the Government of Canada response to Hurricane Fiona on the HFRF page.

Q. Why is it taking so long to designate the remaining funds?

A. Time has been spent working with appropriate federal departments and agencies as well as provincial governments to address specific recovery needs in Atlantic Canada. These needs vary from province to province, sector to sector, business to business, and require targeted resources to help with each situation. The fund is meant to fill gaps not covered by existing support measures, including provincial disaster financial assistance. This requires appropriate coordination with those who deliver these measures.

Maximizing the positive impact of the fund may require some time, but it is critical to help Atlantic Canada recover, restore and rebuild for resiliency against future storms. Officials are making every effort to finalize the details of the support to impacted businesses and communities, and ACOA hopes to share this information in the near future.

Throughout the process of delivering Fiona support, ACOA has collaborated closely with provincial governments and other federal departments to share information and intelligence, understand recovery needs, and direct inquiries. This has been necessary to avoid duplication, and to help navigate applicants to the right support and through the various application processes. With its extensive network in the Atlantic region, ACOA is well-placed to helm this challenging period.

Q. What are the criteria for the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund?

A. Federal support provided under the fund must be directly related to the impact or response to Hurricane Fiona; it cannot duplicate insurance coverage or other federal, provincial, municipal or non-profit support (e.g., DFAA), and must be clearly linked to the needs of impacted individuals, businesses and communities. The design of federal measures for those impacted must therefore align with these criteria. This requires appropriate consultations with implicated federal and provincial organizations.

Q. What should impacted communities, businesses and organizations do?

A. ACOA is accepting applications from communities, businesses and organizations affected by Hurricane Fiona and that have a need to address impacts not covered under other government and private-sector measures. 
 

Q. When will funding go out? 

A. Funding will go out once applications have been received, assessed and approved. ACOA is committed to informing applicants of funding decisions as soon as possible. 

Q. How will I know whether my Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund application has been accepted, and generally how long should the evaluation process take?

A. Once ACOA receives your application, it assigns a program officer to your file. Your designated officer will communicate with you if information is missing and regarding funding decisions. ACOA is committed to informing applicants of funding decisions as soon as possible.