As some municipal councillors voiced frustration with Jasper’s uncertain power situation, Jasper’s mayor advocated for a principles-based-approach to establish objective criteria for the town to begin welcoming back visitors. 

On the heels of an expansive update from Mayor Richard Ireland, who is the chair of the local Emergency Advisory Committee (EAC), some councillors at the September 13 committee of the whole meeting indicated that ATCO should be better equipped to meet the demands of the local economy.

But director of Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC), Christine Nadon, said that ATCO has brought in as many resources as possible under the circumstances—sourcing generators as far away as California. Ireland also noted that Jasper’s grid system, powered as it was for years by a natural gas-fired power plant, isn’t necessarily compatible with gas or diesel-powered generators. 

“I don’t say this as an apologist for ATCO,” Ireland said. “But apparently adding a different fuel source makes things worse, not better.”

Councillor Ralph Melnyk agreed with Ireland’s appeal to establish an objective criteria that, when met, would mark an appropriate time to receive visitors. Meanwhile councillor Scott Wilson wanted data—preferably in megawatts—on what the town’s generator power capacity could yield and how much juice Jasper’s September economy runs on.

“We need those numbers sooner than later,” Wilson said.

Those are figures, the mayor agreed, which could be useful to local leadership groups, and should be included, for example, in what the EAC and the ECC use to establish some kind of benchmark for the return of business-as-usual. (The EAC is an elected official-led committee, whereas the ECC is the centre where ATCO, Parks Canada and town leadership convene). What those benchmarks might be, Ireland said he was open to discuss.

“When we can provide sufficient, stable, reliable power, then we can transition back to welcoming guests,” he said.

Councillor looking for culpability

As the MOJ’s current deputy mayor, councillor Rico Damota was chairing the meeting. Damota said people in the community are looking for “who is to blame” for the power outage emergency. After suggesting that a Parks Canada environmental impact analysis for ATCO’s 2019 Interconnection Project was not readily available (it is), Damota relinquished the chair’s position to make a motion that administration attempt to locate the document.

“I don’t want to start from scratch when we’re looking for culpability,” he said. “There are community members concerned that recommendations weren’t followed.”

Earlier, Ireland suggested there were more pressing matters at hand. 

“There is still a fire on the landscape, the ECC is still activated, administration has lots to do. This is a task for the days ahead,” Ireland told Damota.

Damota’s motion was carried.

Disaster Relief for uninsurable losses

Ireland told the committee that local officials were looking into what disaster relief funding might be available to those affected by the emergency. Those conversations included potential help for businesses which have suffered uninsurable losses. CAO Bill Given emphasized provincial representatives were explicit that this condition be met before disaster relief could be considered.

“Government programs … cannot backstop businesses that could have had insurance but chose not to,” Given said.

Given urged local businesses to talk to their individual brokers to investigate what coverage they might be eligible for. 

Message to visitors: It’s complicated

Councillor Wilson inquired as to the community’s messaging to visitors, moving forward. ECC director Nadon explained that as of that afternoon (September 13), with the community “hopefully out of the acute phase,” the Municipality of Jasper and its tourism partners would be softening their messaging to visitors. Hours later, no longer was the message to tourists that “now is not the ideal time to visit,” rather, the MOJ is reminding visitors to “consider making alternate plans until sufficient, stable and reliable power to the community has been restored.”

UPDATE: ATCO to restore power to transmission line

Appreciating a unified response

Ireland said that the emergency situation has been eye-opening for councillors and residents alike. He commended the local social services response and expressed sincere gratitude for staff who’ve stepped up (as they’re legislated and trained to do, he noted) into emergency management roles. 

“Council has learned to appreciate [an emergency] has to be managed, not governed,” he said. “That puts council in a different spot.”

He added that it’s been an opportunity to appreciate how the community is capable of responding as a whole. He heaped praise on ever-patient residents, helpful Reception Centre staff and volunteers and obliging tourism partners who’ve joined in the community’s messaging.

“I hope that people will recognize there is not a divide between the tourism industry, stakeholders and residents…that keeping businesses viable is part of the lifeblood of the community,” Ireland said.

“I am so appreciative of the way the community has responded. This is an opportunity that comes only now and again to express that appreciation, of all sectors, as a united, unified community.”

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com