Question Period Note: ACOA – Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund

What is the update on the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund?

• ACOA has been there for Atlantic Canadians in times of need and remains committed to working closely with communities and businesses dealing with the devastating impacts of Hurricane Fiona.
• On January 20, I announced $40 million to support shellfish producers and farmers in Atlantic Canada who were among the hardest hit. This investment is aimed at the immediate needs and adaptations of the industry against future extreme weather.
• ACOA is also accepting applications from communities and associations representing hard-hit sectors not eligible for other sources of financial support to recover and rebuild.
• ACOA continues working actively with other departments to finalize additional recovery measures which will be announced once those details are confirmed.
• There has been significant progress since our government announced the $300 million Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund to assist those in Atlantic Canada and Quebec who have been most impacted by this storm.
• The Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund is intended to fill gaps for those who have exhausted all other sources of financial support, including insurance or other existing federal and provincial support measures, like their respective province’s disaster financial assistance.
• $100 million of the fund was specifically targeted to rebuild small craft harbours and recover ghost fishing gear lost during the storm. This critical work is essential to support the fish harvesting and processing industries that are so vital in our region as well as to protect our oceans and marine ecosystems.
• We are committed to working closely with businesses of all sizes, organizations and communities dealing with Hurricane Fiona's devastating impacts.
• Details regarding the remaining $160 million of the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund are being finalized.
• ACOA works closely with provincial governments to ensure our assistance is coordinated and efficient.
• If you are facing hardship due to this storm, we will continue to work closely with you to find solutions to your needs.

• Hurricane Fiona had a devastating impact on many communities across all provinces of Atlantic Canada and some of Quebec, resulting in widespread property damages and power outages. This event is having significant economic repercussions in the region.
• The Government of Canada has been there to help those impacted since immediately following the storm with the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), deploying Canadian Armed Forces, making it easier for workers unable to work in the aftermath of the storm to apply for EI benefits, waiving fees for those who need to replace vital lost or destroyed documents, including travel documents and citizenship certificates, and matching donations made to the Canadian Red Cross.
• Since the Prime Minister announced the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund in the fall, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada announced that $100 million would go towards rebuilding small craft harbours and recovering lost fishing gear. In the Fall Economic Statement, the Government announced an extra $1 billion in anticipation of Hurricane Fiona-related requests from provinces under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements.
• Time has been spent working with appropriate federal departments and agencies as well as provincial governments to address specific recovery needs in Atlantic Canada. These needs vary from province to province, sector to sector, and business to business, and require targeted resources to help with each situation.
• Support provided under the Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund must be directly related to the impact or response to Hurricane Fiona; not duplicate other federal, provincial, municipal or not-for-profit support (e.g., Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements); and be linked to the needs of impacted individuals, businesses and communities. The design of ACOA support must align with these criteria. This requires extensive consultations with other federal and provincial organizations.
• The shellfish sector in Atlantic Canada is part of aquaculture, one of the biggest employers and economic generators in many coastal, small and rural communities across Atlantic Canada. It was also one of the hardest hit sectors by the effects of Hurricane Fiona. The sector employs about 2,200 people and contributes nearly $200 million to the region’s GDP, representing a little over 50 percent of the total GDP of the industry nationally.

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