The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is helping communities build resilience for future climate-related weather events
Inverness County – 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 $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 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.
The 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