The federal government, through Parks Canada, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Public Safety Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada, and Insurance Bureau of Canada, in collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper, has created immediate housing options and concrete rebuilding plans for Jasper residents
The federal government is committed to help Jasperites rebuild their community, support economic recovery and ensure Jasper National Park is prepared to host visitors in the 2025 season. With dedicated teams, resources and strong collaborations in place, the federal government is working with provincial and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to help Canadians rebuild housing, faster.
Today, alongside representatives from the Municipality of Jasper, the Honourable Terry Duguid, Minister of Sport and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Ministerial Liaison for Jasper, announced $160.1 million in federal funding to support the recovery of Jasper National Park and the town of Jasper, including:
· Providing interim housing and longer-term permanent housing;
· Covering expenditures for the 2024 wildfire season mitigation and response for Parks Canada administered places; and,
· Strengthening the Jasper National Park wildfire response and recovery.
As part of this funding, approximately $30 million is allocated for interim housing to begin the process of helping Jasperites return to their community, with around 320 housing units set for delivery beginning mid-February 2025. Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are working hand-in-hand on Jasper's recovery through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre. While the top priority is rebuilding of homes and businesses lost in the wildfire, this temporary and interim housing is a critical step that will provide Jasperites with a place to live in the community during the recovery period.
As part of today's announcement, the Government of Canada is also providing a $9.4 million contribution through the second round of the Housing Accelerator Fund to eliminate barriers to building houses we need, faster. This agreement-reached between the federal government, through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Municipality of Jasper-will accelerate the construction of an additional 240 permanent homes over the next three years. This investment is part of a plan to construct 505 multi-family homes over the next decade. Jasper will use this funding to support their rebuilding efforts and to build capacity for housing development, as the community increases its land use authorities and adopts policies to incentivize building.
The funding also includes an advance payment of $19.6 million in federal support through Public Safety Canada's Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program to reimburse the Government of Alberta covering a portion of eligible costs incurred while fighting the Jasper wildfire.
When a disaster occurs and evacuation orders are issued, workers affected by closures of their place of employment may find it difficult to qualify for Employment Insurance or for enough weeks of benefits. A new Employment Insurance (EI) pilot project led by Employment and Social Development Canada, will offer a one-time credit of 300 hours of insurable employment to EI claimants in Jasper, Alberta, and Bunibonibee Cree Nation, Manitoba who established a claim between July 21, 2024 and July 19, 2025. Lengthy wildfire evacuations in these communities during summer 2024 closed businesses, preventing employees from working, and prompted requests for urgent federal assistance.
The federal funding directed to Parks Canada totals $133.1 million, including the critical interim housing. This funding goes beyond fighting the wildfire and ensuring Jasperites' safety. It has also enabled Parks Canada's ability to speed up debris removal, demolition, and rebuilding efforts, responding to this tragic situation far beyond the wildfire suppression and subsequent public safety needs. Working closely with the Municipality and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to speed up the work, has led to 93% of clean-up and demolition permits being now in place. Debris for most properties should be cleared by the spring, making room for rebuilding. As well, lands have been made available by Parks Canada for interim housing, and local land use policies for Jasper were updated to support residents, businesses and the municipality navigate the economic challenges, while adjustments have been made to simplify development applications, rebuilding and subdivision processes.
The federal government remains committed to support Jasper's recovery. With dedicated teams, resources, and collaboration across all levels of governments, Jasperites will be able to return to their community and Canadians and international visitors can continue to enjoy Jasper National Park. Extensive recovery efforts have restored access to most scenic areas, lakes, and trails, and Parks Canada invites visitors and Jasper residents to explore the natural beauty of the park once again.
