Alberta is requesting compensation for the Jasper wildfire

Alberta is requesting compensation for the Jasper wildfire, which originated on federal land

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In a Monday House of Commons testimony, provincial ministers requested that the federal government cover the costs associated with the Jasper wildfire.

The province is claiming that the town was affected by the fire that started in Jasper National Park.



Deputy Premier Mike Ellis claims that there was a breakdown in communication between the province government, Parks Canada, and the Jasper municipality within the unified command.
Ellis stated that the province organized town halls and forums for evacuation, noting that there was a special difficulty in removing visitors and Jasperites from a town that is encircled by federal territory.

"The park superintendent has oversight for all emergency management decisions for both the park and municipality," Ellis stated. "The province is now in a situation where we can surely influence, but not determine, yet the province of Alberta is responsible for much of the expense."

According to Ellis, Alberta has authorized a $149 million disaster recovery program; however, only a part of those expenses will be covered under the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFFA) program.

"We certainly ask that the DFFA cost share formula be waived," Ellis stated.

"We need to have a discussion on the costs and that the federal government may be responsible for the cost of this fire."

Provincial parks minister Todd Loewen demanded that in any future disaster response command, the federal government should accompany Albertan towns.


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