Federal investment will help Inverness County improve 15 rural climate comfort centres
News release
The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is helping communities build resilience for future climate-related weather events
January 11, 2024 · Inverness County, 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 $300,000 in funding through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to upgrade 15 climate comfort centres across Inverness County. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
The support will allow the County, in partnership with each community, to install generators in the 15 facilities. It will also equip each centre with a comfort kit of readiness supplies to help ensure all community members are safe and comfortable during power outages or extreme weather events. The comfort kits will include items such as first aid and emergency medical supplies, sanitation supplies, nonperishable food items and blankets, and will help ease the burden on rural emergency services.
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
“Future storms will expose more vulnerabilities in our communities, and that is important to consider when investing in adaptation strategies. The assistance announced today for Inverness County is one important step in the Government of Canada’s support for communities in rebuilding and preparing for future emergencies.”
- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso
“In times of crisis, the partnership between our municipality, community spaces, and dedicated volunteers becomes an invaluable lifeline. This funding is a pivotal investment toward enhancing emergency preparedness, to support communities in times of need. By prioritizing preparedness today, we're safeguarding and bolstering community resilience. Strengthening these foundations ensures the ability to uphold the resilience of our rural communities in the face of climatic uncertainty.”
- Bonny MacIsaac, Warden of the Municipality of the County of Inverness
Quick facts
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Climate comfort centres receiving a portion of the funding announced today are:
o Blue Mills Volunteer Fire Department (Blue Mills)
o Lake Ainslie Volunteer Fire Department (Lake Ainslie)
o Cranton Crossroads Community Centre and Volunteer Fire Department (Margaree)
o West Bay Volunteer Fire Department (West Bay)
o Glendale Community Centre (Glendale)
o Meat Cove Community Centre (Meat Cove)
o Port Hood Food Bank (Port Hood)
o Whycocomagh Volunteer Fire Department and Whycocomagh Waterfront Centre (Wycocomagh)
o Valley Mills Fire Department (Valley Mills)
o Inverness County Centre for the Arts (Inverness)
o Mi-Careme Interpretive Centre (Grand Etang)
o West Mabou Community Centre (Mabou)
o Judique Community Centre (Judique)
o Cregnish Hall (Cregnish).
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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.
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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.
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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
Joe Carew
Communications and Community Engagement Lead, Municipality of the County of Inverness
902-323-0089
Joe.Carew@invernesscounty.ca
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