Jasper’s urgent housing needs have been given a $39.4 million shot in the arm.

Yesterday (February 6, 2025), the federal government announced a $9.4 million contribution to Jasper’s longer-term housing solutions, as well as $30 million to provide interim housing for those displaced by the July 24 wildfire. 

“This partnership with the Government of Canada marks a transformative step forward,” said Jasper’s Mayor, Richard Ireland. “The funding will significantly assist us in rebuilding our community, increase housing options and create a brighter future for our residents.”

Newly-appointed Ministerial Liaison for Jasper, Terry Duguid, made the announcement at the Lobstick Lodge in Jasper.

Duguid, Canada’s Minister of Sport and the minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, told a gathering of media members and local stakeholders that he considered it a privilege to be assigned as the GOC’s lead to help the community rebuild. He also didn’t miss the opportunity to note his government was differentiating itself from the province by listening to the needs of local planners.

“As the municipality plans for long-term housing solutions and increased density, we’ve heard you. That may not be the opinion of other levels of government, but that is certainly a view we share with you,” he said. 

The $9.4 million comes by way of the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), a federal program designed to help local governments increase housing supply. The agreement—reached between the federal government, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the Municipality of Jasper—will accelerate the construction of an additional 240 permanent homes over the next three years, Duguid said. 

“These developments reflect what we’ve heard clearly: that density and sustainable development are key to the future of this community,” he said.

With help from the HAF, the Jasper Municipal Housing Corporation is now looking at opportunities to do a companion build to the 40-unit affordable housing project  that the Municipality of Jasper announced two years ago. That project is due to break ground this spring, said MOJ CAO Bill Given.

In addition, by providing a suite of incentives to encourage those rebuilding to do so with increased density on their lots, the MOJ is targeting 160 new units of housing within Jasper’s current footprint. 

The $30 million for interim housing will go towards procuring 320 modular housing units—a mixture of duplex units and dorm-style trailers. Those units are set for delivery next week on Jasper’s four newly-serviced parcels and adjacent to Whistlers Campground. 

Parks Canada said the agency is on track to have them occupied by the end of the month.

Mayor Richard Ireland said the housing funding will help the community recover, rebuild and move forward in unity. 

“The $30 million dedicated specifically to interim housing has been a lifeline for families seeking stability after such a devastating event,” Ireland said. 

The federal funding package also includes $19.6 million to reimburse Alberta for firefighting costs during the wildfire, as well as a new Employment Insurance (EI) pilot that will allow eligible Jasper residents claiming EI to receive a one-time credit of 300 employment hours.

The funding comes on top of a new $8-million commitment by the Alberta government, also announced Thursday.

The $39.4 million in federal housing funding is part of $160 million in Government of Canada support announced for Jasper’s recovery on Thursday. 

• More than $133 million of that support will be directed to Parks Canada wildfire cost recovery, including recouping Parks Canada’s costs of debris removal, demolition and rebuilding efforts. 
  
• Parks Canada spent more than $45 million on the July wildfire incident response, including costs for direct fire suppression, wildfire crew deployment, fire crew support resources and costs for suppression services delivered through the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.
  
• 2024 was the most expensive wildfire season ever, according to Parks Canada. 
  
• More than $80 million has been spent on recovery and re-entry, including costs to provide incident response resources and temporary accommodations to ensure continued park operations.
   
• Costs also included those incurred from clearing roadways, trails, day-use areas and other commercial areas. 
  
• Funding has also supported Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre costs.
  
• The Insurance Bureau of Canada recently tallied insured damages of the incident at more than $1.23 billion, making the Jasper wildfire the second costliest fire event in Canadian history. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com