The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is helping communities build resilience for future climate-related weather events
Port Hawkesbury – 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.
Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton-Canso, announced $75,000 in non-repayable funding through the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) to the Town of Port Hawkesbury. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA.
This funding will help the town purchase and install a new portable generator, new baseboard heaters and a new water tank at the Port Hawkesbury Civic Centre. These upgades will allow the facility to function without power so it can be used as a climate comfort centre in times of need. Central communication equipment will also be purchased and installed, ensuring the centre can contact others in times of emergency.
This 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.
“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.“ – Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA