Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland addressed the media today, flanked by Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs Ric McIver and Christine Nadon, Director of Legislative & Protective Services for Jasper. The focus of the press conference was the announcement of a re-entry plan set to begin on Friday, August 16, marking a crucial transition from emergency response to re-establishing normalcy in the town.
“This is a milestone day,” Mayor Ireland began, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming transition. “We are moving from incident response to re-entry and, ultimately, recovery. The announcement today is all about the imminent re-entry.”
https://www.jasper-alberta.ca/p/re-entry-guide
The re-entry plan, meticulously crafted in collaboration with various governmental bodies, including Parks Canada, aims to address the immediate needs of Jasper residents who have endured weeks of evacuation. The Mayor acknowledged the patience of the community during this trying time, highlighting that Friday’s re-entry would not be a return to the normalcy they once knew, but a step toward what he termed a “new normal.”
Mayor Ireland urged all residents to review the re-entry guide available on the town’s website, which outlines critical information needed to navigate the days ahead. He stressed that returning residents would need to adjust to a changed environment. “Our residents will reenter to what they will have to make as a new normal,” Ireland said, noting that the familiar sights and services of the town might no longer be as they were before.
The Mayor also addressed the concerns of potential visitors to Jasper, asking for their understanding and patience as the town focuses on its residents first. “We are focused now on our residents,” he stated, emphasizing that the community needs time to adjust and rebuild before welcoming tourists back in full capacity.
Minister McIver echoed the sentiments of Mayor Ireland, extending the provincial government’s support and sympathy to the affected residents. “On behalf of the Premier and my cabinet colleagues, I want to extend our sincerest sympathies to all Jasper residents during this difficult time, especially to those who lost their homes or businesses,” McIver said.
The Minister acknowledged the hard work that has gone into preparing for re-entry, but also cautioned that this is just the beginning of a long road to recovery. He emphasized the importance of patience, as returning to homes may not be immediately possible for all residents due to ongoing restoration efforts. “Some services have been restored, but many have not. Residents should be prepared to be as self-sufficient as possible when they return,” McIver advised.
The re-entry plan includes a phased approach to restoring critical services in Jasper. Minister McIver highlighted the collaborative efforts between the provincial government, the municipality, and Parks Canada in developing these plans. A recovery task force, named the Jasper Alberta Parks Canada Intergovernmental Redevelopment Committee, has been established to oversee the restoration of essential services and infrastructure.
Efforts are being made to mitigate hazards in the town, restore local police, EMS, and 911 dispatch services, and ensure the availability of utilities such as water, electricity, and gas. The Minister noted that while some services, like emergency medical services (EMS), are expected to be operational by Friday, others will take more time to bring online fully.
One of the critical components of the recovery plan is the restoration of healthcare services. The Jasper Healthcare Center remains closed, but work is ongoing to reopen the emergency department and other essential facilities. “The priority is bringing the emergency department online and developing a staffing plan to support that,” McIver explained. Continuing care residents will remain in alternative locations until it is safe for them to return.
Education is another area of concern for the community. With the school year approaching, parents are understandably anxious about where their children will be attending classes. McIver reassured residents that there will be a place in a school for every child from Jasper, though specifics will be determined by local school authorities based on safety and health considerations.
Housing remains a significant focus of the recovery efforts. The municipality of Jasper has launched a housing needs assessment survey to better understand and address the housing needs of residents. Minister McIver urged all residents to participate in the survey, whether they need housing assistance or can offer accommodation to others.
As Jasper prepares to welcome its residents back home, the focus remains on rebuilding and restoring the community to its former state. While the road ahead may be long and challenging, the commitment from all levels of government and the community itself offers hope for a strong recovery.