The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC) has received feedback from residents about higher-than-expected invoices associated with the bulk debris removal program.

Michael Fark, Municipal Director of Recovery, told council on Tuesday (Feb. 3) that the JRCC was following up with the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) and lead contractor EllisDon.

“At this point, we don’t expect to have a particular resolution,” Fark said. “It’s more about continuing to engage them in a conversation, make sure they’re aware of the challenges and see what progress we can make potentially on addressing some of the ongoing friction points.”

Residents have been directed to the Canadian Red Cross for support options, and the JRCC will document lessons learned.

A majority of the collective debris removal wrapped up last spring, which, while rife with complications, the IBC described as “a significant milestone” for Jasper’s wildfire recovery. Only one property in S-Block still has debris, but Fark said it was now actively being removed.

Mayor Richard Ireland asked to what extent insurance matters were being documented and where lessons learned would be available. 

“My sense is that we are learning an awful lot about insurance generally,” Ireland said. “We will not be the last community to be impacted by a disaster such as this, and it would be beneficial for others to start learning our lessons right now.”

Fark said the JRCC uses various methods to document people’s concerns, including the recovery challenges form and open houses, and have requested information from the IBC and EllisDon. They were working with a non-profit applied-research organization called Signal49 Research, formerly the Conference Board of Canada, on the overall recovery review.

Interim Housing Update

Interim housing is currently accommodating 351 households, or 685 individuals. Occupancy will also begin at the Patricia Street and the United Church sites early next month.

Although some dorm units are available at Marmot Meadows south of town, all in-town offerings are fully occupied or allocated.

Fark estimated around 100 households were on the wait-list but noted the turnover of those who were in interim housing but have since found other accommodations. The JRCC will communicate with wait-listed households about their chances of getting an offer.

First rebuilt home receives occupancy

As for the rebuild, the first rebuilt home in Jasper received occupancy on Jan. 20. This was a stick-built home built on-site and not a modular unit brought from out of town. Fark said a second home has since achieved occupancy.

Nearly 50 per cent of wildfire-affected leaseholders have begun the permitting process. Despite the winter, crews continue to excavate and pour foundations.

Ireland asked why one graph showed 374 properties in various stages of the rebuild process when the previously publicized number of lost buildings was 358. 

Fark replied that the initial number was based on the first rapid assessment. The data was cleaned up last year to address discrepancies, such as leaseholds that lost a garage but not the primary residence. The final number is how many properties require a permit to reconstruct.

Peter Shokeir // info@thejasperlocal.com