Ottawa has earmarked $520 million in additional funding for the Town of Jasper to support its continued rebuild following a devastating wildfire in 2024. The wildfire is estimated to have destroyed or damaged 20 per cent of the total assets in Jasper National Park, including campgrounds, staff housing, grounds, utility buildings, highways, and roadways. “Jasper holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians. As Minister responsible for our national parks, I have seen the resilience of this community and the determination to bring Jasper back,” said federal environment minister Julie Aviva Dabrusin. The additional funding will go toward ensuring critical infrastructure repairs are completed efficiently and that interim housing will continue to be provided for displaced residents through to March 2028. Approximately 32,700 hectares of the park were burned in 2024, with 30 per cent of the town’s structures destroyed. Ottawa will also be funding wildfire mitigation measures and easing restrictions for the town, reducing red tape and allowing for an easier rebuilding process. The federal government has distributed $385 million in wildfire response and recovery efforts to Jasper over the last two years, providing interim housing for more than 425 families, removing debris from all affected lots, and advancing rebuilding with construction underway at 118 properties. Jasper National Park was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984 and sees about 2.5-million visitors annually.
