“While the immediate threat has subsided, our community continues to face significant challenges in stabilizing the situation and leading into recovery and rebuild,” said Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland at a virtual media availability Friday morning.
After almost two months, news of the downgrade from a state of emergency will be welcomed by all. For some, however, now the hard part begins. The community faces big questions about rebuilding its infrastructure and its economy, both of which were ravaged by the wildfire. The municipality and one business owner said it may be time to start welcoming people back.
“The economic activity and the social regrowth and rebirth of our community are inextricably bound. So, we have to recognize that as residents return, they will need employment. They need to be sustainable, and that requires a resumption of the visitor economy given the circumstances” said Ireland.
“There’s a major need for it,” said Darryl Huculak, owner and operator of the Olive Bistro and Lounge in Jasper.
In the fire, Huculak was lucky to have not lost his physical restaurant, but he wasn’t spared from other losses. Due to the extended evacuation, Huculak said his business had to replace everything.
“We had to dispose of any liquor that was opened, so I have to restock all my booze. I have to restock all my food — every single item.”
The fire struck the town during one of its busiest tourism periods. Huculak estimated that 70 to 80 per cent of Olive’s business happened during the summer, which has left them in a tough place heading into the slow shoulder season in the fall.
As the rebuild gets underway, Huculak said he and other business owners want to remind tourists about Jasper.
“We don’t want people to forget about Jasper. So I think reaching out and just kind of making sure people know that hey, Jasper’s here. We want you to come (but) maybe not just yet,” said Huculak.
He said a potential wage subsidy would be a welcomed assist from government, as it would allow him and others to bring staff back on and ensure the restaurant has the capacity to reopen.
Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver said discussions about a wage subsidy are underway but there are no details that can be shared at this time.
While businesses begin to question when to reopen and how, other Jasperites are left wondering what to do about housing as the days get shorter and colder.
“Housing in Jasper has always been a critical challenge, and this issue is even more acute following the wildfire,” said Municipality of Jasper chief administrative officer Bill Given.
“All three levels of government are actively working on increasing the interim housing options for Jasper, but it will also continue to be important that Jasperites explore solutions that might work for them as well.”
Soon, interim housing will be made available to Jasperites, but priority will be given to essential workers. Currently the provincial government is funding temporary accommodations for essential workers until Nov. 30.
On Sept. 5, Jasper created an “expression of interest” (EOI) to give vendors the chance to put their names forward to assist with prefabricated homes. The EOI closed on Thursday with 13 vendors, which the municipality and the province will now go through to assess the best options.
“Under consideration are everything from camp-style housing, where there may be a shared kitchen area that may be more appropriate for contractors who are working on rebuilding phases, to individualized living units that may be good for a single or a couple, to family units,” said Given.
The cost and needs of the residents as reported from the housing needs assessment survey conducted early upon re-entry will inform what options will be favoured moving forward.
Given said prefabricated homes are expected to play a key role in the recovery but any interim housing solution will expect to be rented at market rates, and will not solve the challenge entirely.
Rebuilding Jasper: A Delicate Balance Between Tourism and Recovery
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland is aware of the “perceived conflict” of welcoming tourists back to Jasper, even though some residents are not able to return.
But so much of life in Jasper depends on the visitor economy, he said.
“Without welcoming some visitors, that economy simply doesn't exist. So it's a balance that we appreciate is delicate and people are in different stages of the process,” Ireland said on CBC Radio’s Edmonton AM on Wednesday.
“They will have different perspectives with respect to that balance, but it’s a balance that is essential to help our community recover both economically and socially.”
Much of the prime tourism season has already been lost, Ireland said, but a lot of businesses will need a winter season if they are to survive into next year.
“It would be such a bitter irony if we were to welcome residents back, say, to the very hotel rooms and thereby denying guests who sustained the very jobs of the returning residents,” Ireland said.
“So we don’t want to re-victimize returning residents by asking them to return, but then denying them any opportunity to engage in their livelihoods, which then might again drive them away from our community.”
Although visitors are welcome, people should be aware of what’s open and what’s not, he said. There are limited services available in the townsite.
Jasper's Road to Recovery: A Look at the Reopening Efforts
The Municipality of Jasper will end its state of local emergency on Sunday (Sept. 15) a month after residents were first allowed to return.
Mayor Richard Ireland said during a media briefing on Friday (Sept. 13) that the state of local emergency had allowed the municipality to implement swift actions, which were essential to protect lives and property during the wildfire.
“While the immediate threat has subsided, our community continues to face significant challenges in stabilizing the situation and leading into recovery and rebuild.”
Businesses have steadily been reopening in Jasper over the past few weeks, but to protect resident privacy, the municipality has placed signage to encourage local traffic only in the west end of town.
Visitors are asked to avoid driving through areas with restricted access and taking pictures of the parts of town most impacted by the wildfire.
Ireland said it was important to strike a balance between resuming economic activity and supporting residents “who are experiencing profound personal grief, loss and anxiety, each in their own way.”
“Jasper prides itself on being a welcoming, friendly destination, sharing this beautiful place we are so fortunate to call home with visitors from across Canada and around the world,” he added.
“The gradual resumption of our necessary visitor economy will reduce the risk of some returning residents falling into further adversity from prolonged unemployment.”
On Friday (Sept. 13), more areas of Jasper National Park reopened, including Snaring Road up to the Moberly Homestead.
All day-use areas from the Icefields Centre to Honeymoon Campground are also open, as well as additional areas of Pyramid Bench.
Parks Canada has listed all open areas on its website. Some areas of the park and town remain closed to the public.
“Closures are in place to support overall recovery by prioritizing public safety, minimizing congestion and protecting the privacy of residents,” said Supt. Alan Fehr of Jasper National Park.
“By respecting area closures, we can ensure safety while supporting the recovery process. Entering a closed area is unlawful. Failure to comply is a serious offense.”
Residents and visitors are reminded to obey all signage. Intermittent road closures may be needed to safely take down trees.
The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC), a partnership between the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada, has been assessing interim housing options that might be available.
“In Jasper, housing has always been a critical challenge, and this issue is even more acute following the wildfire where over 800 dwelling units were lost, displacing nearly 2,000 residents,” said Jasper CAO Bill Given.
“We want to ensure that residents and the community understand that all three levels of government are actively working on increasing the interim housing options for Jasper, but it will also continue to be important that Jasperites explore solutions that might work for them as well.”
Given said a housing survey and subsequent housing applications submitted by residents have given the JRCC detailed information about the housing needs of the community.
On Sept. 5, an expression of interest (EOI) was issued for vendors to provide prefabricated housing or workforce accommodation options in designated locations in and near Jasper.
By Thursday (Sept. 12), the EOI garnered interest from 38 potential vendors, with 13 of them choosing to submit expressions of interest.
Given noted that their team would review those submissions and consider suitability, price and expediency.
“We want to have it quick, we want to have it fit the needs of Jasper residents and we need to have it something that Jasper residents and all of us will be able to afford,” he said.
Any housing established would be an interim solution and rented at market rates.
“We expect modular prefabricated housing to form an important part of that interim solution, but it’s not going to solve the challenge entirely,” Given said.
“We know it's important for Jasperites to feel informed about the progress being made in this area, and as we move forward, you will be able to continue to find more details on our website.”
Ric McIver, minister of Municipal Affairs, said the Alberta government was supporting the development of interim housing options while the rebuild is underway in Jasper.
“It is important to recognize that the interim housing supply will be limited, and priority will have to be given to groups such as essential workers once these interim housing options are in place,” McIver said.
“Now, I also recognize this new housing won’t pop up overnight, but the work is happening to make a difference on the ground.”
A New Beginning: Jasper Embraces a New Era of Tourism
Jasper, a small town nestled amidst the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies, is undergoing a remarkable transformation, one that is both physically and emotionally restorative. The recent wildfire that swept through the region left a trail of devastation, but it has also sparked an extraordinary resilience in the hearts and minds of the community. The town is now on the path to recovery, embarking on a journey to rebuild infrastructure, revive the local economy, and reimagine the experience of tourism in this breathtaking destination.
For many, the road to recovery will be a long and arduous journey. The scars of the fire remain visible, a constant reminder of the challenges they have faced. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there is a spirit of hope and determination. The town's residents, businesses, and the government are collaborating to create a future that is both sustainable and vibrant.
As the rebuilding efforts progress, the focus on tourism is taking on a new dimension. The town's leaders recognize the need to strike a delicate balance between welcoming visitors back and respecting the community’s need for healing. Jasper is renowned for its pristine natural beauty and welcoming atmosphere. To preserve these qualities, the town is taking a thoughtful approach, encouraging visitors to return while acknowledging the sensitivities of those who are still coping with the aftermath of the fire. This new era of tourism will prioritize responsible travel, community engagement, and the long-term health of the destination.
While challenges remain, the spirit of Jasper is undeterred. The town's residents, businesses, and the government are committed to ensuring that Jasper emerges from this ordeal stronger than ever. The town's recovery is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and its commitment to embracing a sustainable future.
