Backgrounder: Federal investment will improve climate comfort centres in Antigonish and Pictou counties

June 13, 2024 · Pictou County, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

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, the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, announced total non-repayable investments of $1,122,197 to four organizations through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to help upgrade a total of 34 climate comfort centres. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.

Organizations receiving contributions:

The Pictou County Wellness Centre Building Authority will receive $382,556 to perform accessibility upgrades to its building, and purchase and install a generator. The Wellness Centre coordinates with municipal units to support the region during high alert weather events and evacuations, and this project will better prepare the facility to be used as a comfort centre during power outages and other emergency situations.

The Municipality of the County of Antigonish will receive $373,000 to perform facility upgrades and purchase readiness supplies to ensure effective provision of four emergency centres:

·         The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 59, Antigonish

·         The Heatherton Development & Cultural Wellness Centre, Heatherton

·         Antigonish Town Hall, Antigonish

·         The County Office, Beech Hill

Summer Street Industries Society in New Glasgow will receive $192,141 to purchase and install a generator so the facility can offer more comfort centre services during extended power outages. Summer Street Industries' focus is on preparation and response efforts that are required in the event of a disaster. Summer Street will coordinate with local municipalities for the preparation, implementation and continuous improvement of municipal disaster plans and ongoing training and exercises, as well as the development of public education programs related to disaster preparedness. 

The Municipality of the County of Pictou will receive $174,500 to perform facility upgrades and purchase readiness supplies to ensure effective provision of 28 emergency centres:

·         Abercrombie Fire Department, Abercrombie

·         Alma Fire Department, Alma

·         Barney’s River Fire Department, Barney’s River

·         Blue Mountain Fire Department, Blue Mountain

·         Caribou Fire Department, Caribou

·         Dalhousie Mountain Snow Club, Scotsburn

·         Scotsburn Fire Department, Scotsburn

·         East River St. Mary’s Fire Department, St. Mary’s

·         East River Valley Fire Department, East River Valley

·         Eureka Fire Department, Eureka

·         Garden of Eden Community Hall, Garden of Eden

·         Hillside Community Hall, Trenton

·         Linacy Fire Department, Linacy

·         Lismore and District Recreation, Lismore

·         Little Harbour Community Center, Little Harbour

·         MacDonald Rebekah Lodge and Springville Community Hall, Springville

·         Merigomish Community Centre and Merigomish Fire Department, Merigomish

·         Pictou Landing Fire Department, Pictou Landing

·         Plymouth Fire Department, Plymouth

·         River John Fire Department and River John Legion, River John

·         Thorburn Fire Department, Thorburn

·         Toney River Community Center, Toney River

·         Union Center Community Hall, Westville

·         West Branch Community Hall, West Branch

·         West River Fire Department, West River

Related products

·         News release: Federal investment will improve climate comfort centres in Antigonish and Pictou counties