Federal government waives $15 million in rental fees for businesses and Town of Jasper
The Canadian government will waive up to $15.2 million in rent fees billed to the municipality of Jasperas well as its residents and business owners, over the coming years.
A devastating wildfire destroyed a third of the Rocky Mountain resort town in July, including 800 homes, displacing about 2,000 of the town’s 5,000 residents.
Because Jasper is located in a national park, residents, business owners and the town itself lease their homes and buildings from Parks Canada.
Although the fees included in rental contracts vary and in the case of residences and businesses in the city the fee is only $1, Employment Minister Randy Boissonnault said Thursday that this reduction rent will help the city recover from the damage.
On Wednesday, Boissonnault was named by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as the federal government’s ministerial lead for the reconstruction of Jasper.
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“This rent relief will support tenants and licensees whose properties have been impacted and are experiencing financial hardship and new costs to rebuild or repair damaged properties,” Boissonnault said in a statement.
Parks Canada has nearly 1,300 leases in the city and 139 leases in the park.
The municipality will not pay rent for its facilities to Parks Canada until 2027, while a few dozen park businesses that pay market rent will benefit from partial or total rent forgiveness until 2026, depending on damage caused by the fire and their income.
Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland said in a statement Thursday that the city is grateful for the government’s decision.
“By continuing to work effectively together, we can ensure our local businesses and residents have the support they need to help us in our recovery process,” Ireland said.
Boissonnault also announced Thursday that some of the park’s off-trail campsites are now open for reservation for the fall and winter season.
He also said Maligne Road, which allows vehicles to access the famous Maligne Lake, would reopen on Friday.
Areas ravaged by a wildfire near Maligne Road in Jasper National Park on Thursday, October 10, 2024.
Global News
© 2024 The Canadian Press
