Premier Smith and Minister McIver's joint statement regarding Jasper's recovery

The following statement was released by Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and Premier Danielle Smith regarding the federal government's formation of a working committee to aid with Jasper's recuperation:

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Important Information: Membership on the Jasper Re-entry Cabinet Committee (JRCC) in Alberta:
"Jasper's recuperation has received unwavering backing from our government. Since August 22, 2024, the Jasper Re-Entry Cabinet Committee has met once a week. Before then, the Emergency Management Cabinet Committee met every day to address new concerns pertaining to the province's wildfire crisis, which included the wildfire that completely destroyed the Municipality of Jasper and Jasper National Park.

The Jasper Re-Entry Cabinet Committee of Alberta is tasked with providing supervision and assistance during the changeover from emergency response to sustained healing. Provincial members on the Jasper Recovery Task Force, which is closely collaborating with Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper to identify the most effective ways to support recovery in the region, receive guidance from the committee.

"Although the Jasper wildfire started inside Jasper National Park, the province's Jasper Re-Entry Cabinet Committee supported more than 6,500 evacuees from the town of Jasper by providing $7.5 million in emergency evacuation payments. This was followed by a provincial Disaster Recovery Program with a maximum budget of $149 million to aid in Jasper's recovery. However, only a portion of Alberta's expenses are covered by the federal Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program.

"Considering that the federal government has also formed a working group to aid with Jasper's recovery; but, as this fire started in a national park, which is governed by the federal government, we are requesting that the DFAA cost-share formula be waived. We advise making decisions quickly so that before the snow falls, arrangements that are tailored to Jasper's particular situation are in place.

"The state of Alberta has prepared a plan for transitional housing to help the people of Jasper while they reconstruct their houses and neighbourhood. In order to support this idea, we have requested that the federal government and Alberta share the project's costs. If approved by the DFAA, this project will create much-needed temporary accommodation in Jasper. We hope that they would continue to support this vital initiative to provide temporary accommodation in the soon-to-be winter Jasper.

"We are pleased to observe that a task team of federal ministers has been constituted by the federal administration. We sincerely hope that the task force will comply with these demands and collaborate with us to keep helping the people of Jasper.

Important Information:

The Alberta government matched the Canadian Red Cross's contributions with nearly $12 million.
To assist Jasper people affected by wildfires, the Alberta Wildfire Appeal is accepting donations.

Emergency evacuation payments were given to residents who were subject to mandatory evacuation orders.

Informational phone townhalls were established once a week for the citizens of Jasper.

September saw the reopening of schools following extensive cleaning.
On August 26, all services at the Seton-Jasper Healthcare Centre resumed as usual.
Plans were in place to securely move elderly residents from the impacted infrastructure.
Funded by the Alberta government, the Canadian Red Cross began offering assistance to small enterprises and nonprofit organizations.

Supports for mental health were offered through receiving facilities and are still offered at the Jasper Re-Entry Centre.
We have collaborated with the Municipality of Jasper and the federal government to expedite the procedures involved in securing licenses for non-industrial site demolition, cleanup, and debris disposal.


 Participants in the Jasper Re-entry Cabinet Committee (JRCC) for Alberta:

Premier Danielle Smith (Chair)
Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver, vice-chair

Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Elli

Nate Horner, Minister of Finance and President of the Treasury Board

Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry and Parks, and Pete Guthrie, Minister of Infrastructure

Minister of Elderly Affairs, Community and
Social Assistance

Energy and Minerals Minister Brian Jean
Minister of Tourism and Sports Joseph Schow
Minister of Trade, Employment, and the Economy Matt Jones

Dan Williams, the Addiction and Mental Health Minister

Martin Long, MLA for West Yellowhead and parliamentary secretary for rural health