Source: Government of Canada News
March 5, 2024 · Sydney, Nova Scotia · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
Hurricane Fiona was an unprecedented storm that wreaked havoc along the Atlantic coast, causing damage to businesses, communities and non-profit organizations. The Government of Canada recognizes the need to rebuild and adapt to future weather events, and is investing $6,437,005 in non-repayable contributions through ACOA’s Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund (HFRF) program to fund five projects that will restore and upgrade infrastrcuture.
The projects receiving non-repayable contributions are:
Canadian Maritime Engineering Ltd. received $4,883,812 to reconstruct wharf, breakwater and piers damaged by Hurricane Fiona. The work will entail replacing pilings and damaged structural components, infilling the frame, and replacing the decking. The wharf is an integral part of the company’s commercial activities. Without it, ships are unable to berth at the dock at the North Sydney Shipyard for repairs, which is negatively affecting business. The repairs are expected to bring the company’s productivity at its North Sydney location back to pre-hurricane levels.
Canadian Maritime Engineering, which has locations in Dartmouth and North Sydney, serves marine and industrial companies, providing services including machining, mechanical, welding, fabrication, and specialty coatings. The company’s North Sydney location operates the North Sydney Shipyard, which has a 2,500-ton capacity, a machine and fabrication shop, on-site machining, and the capacity to do propeller and shaft repairs.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) received $1,237,000 to purchase a generator and carry out electrical upgrades to Centre 200 so the arena can function as a comfort centre during future extreme weather events. The municipality will also establish a coordination centre at Centre 200 in support of its critical service providers and will acquire additional communications equipment to help meet increased demand on community management capabilities during times of crisis.
In a separate project previously announced on January 12, CBRM also received $196,853 to purchase and install generators at the Glace Bay Volunteer Fire Department and at the John J. Nugent Fireman’s Centre in Sydney Mines. It will also make emergency power and lighting upgrades to the Glace Bay Miners Forum so it can function as a climate comfort centre. These improvements will help prepare the communities for potential climate-related disasters and will help them respond and recover more quickly after an emergency.
Harness Racing Cape Breton received $99,340 to replace a scoreboard which was damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Fiona. The replacement was carried out in October, 2023.
Located in North Sydney and overseen by a Board of Directors made up of local community members, Harness Racing Cape Breton was founded in 2014 to keep the sport alive in the region. Most of the members are second generation horsemen who are owners, trainers, drivers and fans. In 2023, when the track was put up for sale, Harness Racing Cape Breton and the Northside Horsemen Association purchased the property, keeping it operational as one of the only three tracks remaining in Nova Scotia.
Baille Ard Recreation Association received $20,000 to purchase equipment to repair the trail system after significant damages resulting from Hurricane Fiona. The winds felled hundreds of trees and seriously weakened others, while blocking pathways. This project will allow the Association to purchase the equipment necessary to clear the remaining debris, including a trailer for larger tree trunks and branches; a kit of power tools for removal of dangerously leaning trees, safety gear for use by volunteers, and an expanded inventory of hand tools and fasteners. The equipment will also be available for use by the community following future severe weather events, increasing CBRM’s capacity to deal with damages in a more timely and effective manner.
The Baille Ard Recreation Association, a volunteer group that has been active since 1990, oversees trails that wind through 70 acres of Acadian forest and two brooks less than three kilometres from downtown Sydney. The trail system is a popular four-season outdoor recreation venue for residents and visitors who enjoy walking and jogging, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and biking.
