Fiona Federal Recovery Fund Providing $9 Million for Community Comfort Centers

The federal government is providing $9 million to help communities impacted by Post-Tropical Storm Fiona ensure they are prepared to offer residents shelter from the next big storm.

The money comes from the $300 million Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund, which was announced shortly after the ma*sive storm devastated parts of Atlantic Canada a year ago this Sunday.

Federal Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings said the money will help designated “climate comfort centers” purchase equipment and make improvements needed to serve the public.

Hutchings says the money can be used to equip the centers with items such as generators, satellite phones, blankets and cots.

The deadline for municipalities to apply for funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency is November 17.

Hutchings says communities will be responsible for determining which facilities will be designated as comfort centers in order to apply for funding.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published September 22, 2023.