Alberta calls out federal and municipal gov’t for Jasper housing delays

It could be a while before Jasper residents can return to their new homes following last year’s wildfires that forced thousands out of the Jasper area.

In a statement posted on Minister Jason Nixon’s social media page, Nixon says the province was on track to deliver 250 single-family homes early this year, as long as Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper provided the land needed for the housing.

But Minister Nixon calls out both the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada for breaking that promise after they ran into challenges including reducing the land available as well as building outside of the national park, which one affected resident says is not ideal.

“It’s very stressful like you don’t have like a place to call home, especially I have like 11-year-old who doesn’t have his own space to deal with his own personal stuff,” said Daryln Dela Torre, who has been living in Jasper since 2008.

Dela Torre and her family lost their homes during the wildfires and have lived in the Jasper Inn since November. But, she is worried that the housing challenges could affect other Jasper residents.

“We have lots of friends whom even until now after the wildfire, some other Jasperites are being helped by the municipal government and they’re planning a place to stay in here but only until such time that they could stay and like the government could pay.”

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Jasper is considered a national park and building houses in Jasper is considered outside of the province’s jurisdiction. Minister Nixon says the province cannot build housing without the cooperation of the national park, the federal government, and the Municipality of Jasper.

CityNews contacted the Municipality of Jasper and they provided a statement that says, ”With a February 28, 2025, provincial transitional housing expiration deadline, we have worked closely with our provincial and federal partners to identify solutions that prioritize the immediate housing needs of our community. With over 600 Albertan families who call Jasper home applying for interim housing and a pre-existing housing deficit of 600 units, the need is both urgent and unprecedented.”

According to Minister Nixon’s post, the Alberta government will continue exploring options to help Jasper residents and call on the federal government to meet its obligation to the national park. Minister Nixon says they’ve reached out to the federal government but did not get a response.