As Jasper residents continue to wait anxiously for interim housing, Parks Canada says it is working with all levels of government to get housing in place as quickly as possible.
According to the federal agency, it is supporting interim housing by making land available and procuring its own 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 agency stated in a Friday (Jan. 17) update.
The Alberta government has promised to deliver 250 modular units by early 2025 to help house Jasper residents displaced by last summer’s wildfire. Parks Canada has made four hectares of land available for interim housing.
While site servicing for all parcels was completed by Dec. 6, Parks Canada and the provincial government have since been stuck in negotiations around land leasing.
In a Dec. 14 interview, Premier Danielle Smith said they were getting caught up in Parks Canada’s regulatory processes and accused the agency of being inflexible by refusing to expand the townsite boundary for interim housing.
Parks Canada assured in its update that its priority was to install as many housing units as quickly as possible.
“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,” it stated.
The Fitzhugh has reached out to both Parks Canada and the Alberta government for further comment.
In addition to the housing promised by the Alberta government, Parks Canada is working to secure higher-density interim housing solutions for its employees and the community.
These solutions include a work-camp-style accommodation of 120 single units at Marmot Meadows near Whistler Campground. The agency will also procure 50 duplex units – a total of 100 housing units – and has purchased 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,” the agency stated, adding that some of these units could potentially be placed on the serviced parcels.
Other housing options being explored include possibly making land at Wabasso Campground available for a contractor-style camp to house the rebuilding workforce.
Parks Canada will also consider making campsites available for displaced residents this summer and using staff accommodation units outside of town that were or are in the process of being decommissioned.
In addition, the agency and the municipality are looking to identify more land parcels within the townsite where housing could go.
