Jasper recovery

Jasper National Park

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Parks Canada is committed to Jasper’s recovery from the 2024 wildfire. This web page provides updated information on work underway in support of recovery and resources for those looking to rebuild structures lost in the wildfire. Updates to this page are ongoing.

The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre

The Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre (JRCC), led by Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, is focused on restoring services, supporting residents and rebuilding infrastructure to support recovery in Jasper after the 2024 Jasper wildfire. The JRCC currently has multiple working groups dedicated to debris management, rebuilding, interim housing, economic recovery and social recovery. Parks Canada team members are dedicated to each working group, with expanded local teams as well as support from Parks Canada staff from across the country. We are committed to listening, learning and adjusting our approach to ensure that support remains timely, relevant and effective at every stage of the recovery process.

The JRCC was established on August 22, 2024 to ensure continued collaboration and progress as the community moves forward. Significant milestones have been achieved by working together.

Interim housing update

Parks Canada continues to work with the Municipality of Jasper and the Government of Alberta to maximize the number of housing units to be delivered in the coming months.

At a time when people are displaced and have lost their homes, Parks Canada is working with all levels of government to get interim housing in place for the community of Jasper as quickly as possible. Parks Canada is supporting interim housing in multiple ways, including making land available and procuring a range of interim housing units. Parks Canada recognizes that displaced families and individuals from Jasper are facing uncertainty about their future housing options, and we are working with all levels of government to try to advance plans to alleviate that uncertainty.

The number one thing we have heard since the wildfire is the importance of community. In collaboration with the Municipality, Parks Canada made over 4 hectares of land available for interim housing (4 hectares represents over four times the size of a CFL football field). We have been working closely with all levels of government and through the Jasper Recovery Coordination Centre. With funding from the Government of Alberta, the site servicing of the first parcels was completed November 18, 2024, and remaining parcels were serviced by December 6, 2024.

With site servicing complete, our priority is to install as many housing units as quickly as possible. Parks Canada supports the Municipality of Jasper’s desire to ensure that interim solutions meet urgent housing needs and do not limit its capacity to plan for long-term housing solutions and increased density.

Procurement efforts

Parks Canada is in the process of securing higher-density interim housing solutions for the community and Parks Canada employees including:

  • work camp style accommodation of 120 single units to be located at Marmot Meadows, adjacent to Whistler Campground;
  • on track to secure approximately 100 duplex trailers, for a total of up to 200 interim housing units, with delivery anticipated within the February timeframe;
  • the purchase of four pre-built housing units that are ready for delivery to Jasper.

Parks Canada is working with the Municipality of Jasper to identify the most suitable locations for housing units and installations of the interim housing units as quickly as possible. Part of the solution may include bringing some interim housing units procured by Parks Canada into town for use on the serviced parcels.

Exploring more ways to bring residents back to Jasper

Parks Canada is exploring various other ways to support interim housing and temporary accommodations. Work underway with the Municipality of Jasper, Government of Alberta and supporting agencies includes:

  • making land at Wabasso Campground available for a possible contractor style camp for the rebuild workforce. This land is one area being considered as part of an initiative with the municipality to find housing solutions for recovery workforce and seasonal workers.
  • making a number of campsites available to displaced residents this summer.
  • making use of Parks Canada staff accommodation units outside of town that were, or in the process of, being decommissioned.

In addition to this, Parks Canada is continuing to work with the Municipality of Jasper to identify additional parcels of land within the townsite for interim and long-term housing.

Through collaboration with the Municipality of Jasper and Government of Alberta, Parks Canada is committed to ensuring interim housing is in place as quickly as possible while ensuring Jasper’s future housing needs are considered. We are putting options on the table to help meet the Government of Alberta’s requirements to move forward with the units they have announced and remain open to finding creative solutions to move as many housing options forward as possible. Additional information will be shared as details on this work are confirmed.

Rebuilding Jasper

Together, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have outlined a 5-phase approach to Rebuilding Jasper. Information on each phase is available below.

In Phase 1, the policies that apply to development in Jasper were updated using the following guiding principles: make rebuilding easier, rebuild with fire in mind, increase housing options, climate resilience, and sustainability. A summary of changes is included in the Rebuilding Guide which is now available.

Entering Phase 2, with the information you need to design your rebuild now available, planners from Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are ready to meet with you to answer questions about your building design. Parks Canada is and will continue to receive rebuild applications. Together with the Municipality, we are looking at ways to streamline the application process. Updated process details will be shared at the end of Phase 2.

 Talk to a development officer

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper, through the JRCC, are working side-by-side and remain committed to assisting residents and businesses in rebuilding after the wildfire. We understand the importance of making the process to rebuild as easy as possible and are here to help. Parks Canada is committed to supporting Jasperites through each phase of recovery and rebuilding.

Municipality of Jasper

Municipality of Jasper:
jasper-alberta.ca/Rebuild

 
Rebuilding phases infographic
Rebuilding phases

Phase 1: Get ready to rebuild

Leaseholders:

  • Talk to your insurer
  • Think about what you'd like to build

Jasper Recovery Coordination Center (JRCC):

  • Identify guiding values and principles
  • Updates Land Use Policies and Architectural Motif
  • Create online tools for rebuilding
  • Create a rebuilding guide
Frequently asked questions – Information on Rebuilding Phase 1: Get ready for rebuild
Introduction

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are collaborating on a phased approach to support residents and businesses who lost structures during the wildfire. Work on Phase 1 of this approach has now been completed. Updated land use policies and a Rebuilding Guide are now available.

Answers to frequently asked questions specific to Phase 1 have now been included in the Rebuilding Guide.

End of Phase 1 useful links:

 

Demolition and Debris Removal Process

Q. How do I get a residential demolition and debris removal permit?

Steps for Residential Leaseholders

Step #1: Contact your insurance company. Determine who is going to do the demolition and debris removal work.

Step #2: Complete forms

If someone else is applying for a permit for demolition and debris removal on your behalf, you must sign an authorization form.

Parks Canada cannot issue a permit to a third party for your leasehold for demolition or debris removal without this authorization. Specific contractors will also have forms you need to sign.

Forms needed:

Step #3: Submit Completed Forms

You, or your authorized representative submits completed forms to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Once submitted you will receive a response as soon as possible.

Please note that this application is for the demolition and debris removal process only. Additional permits and requirements for rebuilding are also required. More information will be available on this soon.

Questions on this process can also be directed to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Q. How do I get a commercial or institutional debris removal permit?

All commercial and institutional properties, you must complete the following forms.

Development permit application form (choose in town or out of town depending on the location of your property)

Q. What is the bulk debris removal process?

The Bulk Debris Removal Program is a coordinated effort between Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to expedite debris removal and permitting process for residential properties in town. Participating in this optional process will help both individual households and the wider community recover as fast as possible.

This process involves collaboration between contractors, insurance companies, government agencies, and the local community, with a focus on safety, efficiency, environmental and code compliance, and community recovery. Parks Canada is facilitating this by offering bulk permits for multiple properties to reduce administration.

Q. How has the process for demolition and debris removal permits been simplified? 

Parks Canada has streamlined the demolition permitting process to a single stage process. Coordination of this process was made possible with involvement from the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to consolidate all pertinent information and requirements in one place for lessees. The applicable regulations and policy that have guided the requirements include but are not limited to:

  • Town of Jasper Bylaws
  • Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code
  • Alberta Transportation Traffic Act
  • Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual
  • Canada National Parks Act and Regulations
  • Impact Assessment Act
  • Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
  • Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Soil Quality Guidelines

Once your demolition permit has been issued and prior to work commencing, the following are required to be submitted:

  • When project activities will impact regular traffic patterns, an approved Traffic Safety Plan submitted to MOJ for sites located inside the townsite OR submitted to Parks Canada for sites located outside the townsite
  • Alberta OHS Asbestos Notice of Project
  • Hazardous Materials Assessment Summary Report to Parks Canada

For sites with higher potential for contamination (e.g. gas stations, industrial sites, etc.) your submitted Project Description Form and Hazardous Materials Assessment Summary Report will be reviewed to determine if additional steps are required for your demolition and debris removal.

Phase 2: Design your build In progress

Leaseholders:

  • Work on building plans with an accurate site survey

Jasper Recovery Coordination Center (JRCC):

  • Prepare information about how to submit a complete application
  • Create streamlined permitting process

Frequently asked questions – Information on rebuilding Phase 2: Design your build

Phase 3: Application

Leaseholders:

  • Submit a complete application
  • Coordinate safety code sign-off

Jasper Recovery Coordination Center (JRCC):

  • Intake and review application using Architectural Motif and Land Use Policies
  • Approve or resolve issues as needed
  • Communicate with applicants regularly

Phase 4: Build

Site preparation: Required for Phase 4
  • Sifting
  • Debris removal and demolition
  • Soil remediation
  • Site stabilization

Leaseholders:

  • Start building
  • Arrange for inspections

Jasper Recovery Coordination Center (JRCC):

  • Occupancy inspections

Phase 5: Occupancy

Occupancy

Related links

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