The Alberta government is allocating up to $149 million to assist Jasper, which suffered significant losses in July's wildfire, with a third of its buildings destroyed. This funding will help cover various expenses, including staff overtime, firefighter wages, and emergency shelter costs, as well as structural protection and infrastructure repairs. Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis emphasized the government's commitment to supporting recovery efforts in wildfire-affected communities. Jasper's Mayor Richard Ireland expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting its importance for the town's rebuilding efforts. The funding comes through Alberta's Disaster Recovery Program, which previously aided communities like Fort McMurray after major disasters.
Speaking of Jasper, new federal legislation aims to grant the town full authority over local land planning and development, shifting control from Parks Canada. Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault stated that this change would expedite rebuilding efforts following the wildfire. Currently, Parks Canada manages land use in Jasper, but the new Bill seeks to allow the community to have more input in shaping its future.
The Government of Alberta is providing a $900,000 grant to Elevate Aviation to support the entry of new workers into the aviation industry. This funding will be used to develop a Virtual Reality Aviation Maintenance Training System, enabling aspiring aviators to safely practice essential skills on the ground. Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy and Trade, Matt Jones, said that this investment will help address a projected shortage of 42,000 to 55,000 workers in the sector from 2025 to 2035.
