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

“With the recent increase in extreme weather events in our region, Municipalities are being called upon more often to respond to these events. I am happy to see Guysborough County receive the tools and resources it needs to provide a coordinated recovery for community members, and to help ease the burden on rural emergency services.”

- Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso

“Adequate resources are critical to support response and recovery efforts to the ever-increasing number and intensity of weather events. Sound investments like this allow the three Municipalities in Guysborough County to continue to expand their capabilities in a time of need.”

-Vernon Pitts, Warden on the Municipality of the District of Guysborough

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

  • The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 39 (Mulgrave)
  • Chedabucto Lifestyles Complex (Guysborough)
  • The St. Mary's RecPlex (Sherbrooke)

• 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

Shawn Andrews
Deputy CAO, Municipality of the District of Guysborough
902-533-3705
SAndrews@modg.ca

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