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More money is on the way for fire-ravaged Jasper, Alta., as the federal government has announced $187 million in new funding for the town’s rebuild.
It is the largest funding package to be announced since a runaway wildfire ripped through Jasper National Park and destroyed a third of the town last July.
Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the details while in Edmonton on Thursday.
“It was heartbreaking when the fires ravaged the park and through the townsite,” Carney told a news conference.
“This funding announced today will help residents get home faster and rebuild the town stronger than ever.”
The money will help rebuild roads, campgrounds, trails and permanent staff housing. It will also help provide interim housing while the town is rebuilt.
Rebuilding the homes and other structures lost in the fire will begin in earnest when the ground thaws this spring. Many local residents who lost their homes currently reside in nearby trailers.
The federal government has already made several funding announcements this year as the town works to get back on its feet in time for the summer tourism season.
It has already committed more than $160 million to the town this year.
Environment Minister Terry Duguid will continue to oversee the rebuild for the federal government.
In January, the Alberta government backtracked on its $112-million commitment to Jasper’s rebuild because the town’s plans for rebuilding with high-density permanent housing conflicted with the province’s vision of building single-family homes.
Alberta accused the federal government of being unco-operative and failing to provide timely relief to local residents.
The province has since announced several million dollars in relief covering lost property taxes and revenues.
At the legislature in Edmonton, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver told reporters he’s pleased to see the new funding. “We’ve been at the table for a long time. So if they’re there, I’m very hopeful.”
Alberta Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said the funding was “too little, too late.”
Carney met with Premier Danielle Smith on Thursday.
Smith, in a statement, said she had a “frank” discussion with Carney calling for rollbacks of federal policies she says are undercutting development of Alberta’s staple oil and gas industry.
Smith also said her concerns extend to wildfires.
“I made it clear that federal mismanagement of Jasper and Banff national parks resulted in last year’s tragic wildfire in Jasper and is endangering Banff, and the situation must be rectified immediately,” she wrote.
— With files from Lisa Johnson in Edmonton
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 20, 2025.
Matthew Scace, The Canadian Press
