Jasper residents who were displaced by the 2024 wildfire will be able to vote and run for office in the upcoming municipal election this fall.
In a Wednesday (Feb. 5) statement, Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver emphasized all Jasper residents should be able to participate in their local democracy, regardless of circumstance.
“For the upcoming fall 2025 municipal election, I want to reassure all Jasper residents temporarily displaced due to the wildfire that they will be fully eligible to vote and run for office, either for a seat on town council or for their local school board,” McIver said.
Around 2,000 of the town’s 5,000 residents were left with nowhere to live after the Jasper wildfire destroyed 820 housing units last summer. While interim housing is on the way, many residents will be unable to return for the foreseeable future while the rebuild occurs.
To accommodate displaced Jasper residents, McIver said his government would be proposing amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act later this spring. This will allow them to retain their residency and eligibility to vote and campaign for office in Jasper, provided they were eligible to do so immediately before the wildfire.
Residents must also intend to return to live in Jasper and not be disqualified for reasons not related to residency.
McIver encouraged temporarily displaced Jasper residents who are interested in running for municipal council or the school board to do so.
“Local voices are crucial in shaping the future of Jasper, and we want to ensure the right to participate remains intact, regardless of temporary circumstances,” he said.
As of Jan. 2, the Municipality of Jasper has begun accepting nominations for the 2025 municipal election. Nominations will be accepted until the close of nominations on Nomination Day on Sept. 22 at 12 p.m.
The Fitzhugh reached out to Mayor Richard Ireland for comment and will update the story when more information is available.
More information can be found on the municipality’s website.
