Valemount Faces Funding Crisis Post-Wildfire Despite Efforts

Valemount, a village in British Columbia, is grappling with a significant funding shortfall following the devastating Jasper wildfire in July 2023. Despite extensive efforts, including 21 lobbying meetings and discussions with three members of Parliament, the community has not received any financial support from either the B.C. or federal governments. This situation has left local businesses in a precarious position, struggling to recover from losses incurred during the emergency.

Mayor Owen Torgerson recalls the chaotic events surrounding the wildfire, which forced thousands of evacuees into Valemount and resulted in highway closures that severely impacted local commerce. In the aftermath, Torgerson witnessed the resilience of the community as businesses banded together to support evacuees. “Businesses – to their credit, and to my gratitude – they shut off their tills, they turned off cash registers, and they just fed people,” he noted.

The economic fallout from the wildfire has been profound. According to a report from Strategies North, a consulting firm hired by the village, Valemount businesses require an estimated total of $1.5 million in funding to recover from losses sustained during the crisis. The report, submitted to the Valemount Council in early July, outlines the challenges faced during meetings with provincial and federal officials, highlighting a lack of actionable commitments.

Despite the Village’s proactive approach, including nearly two dozen meetings with government representatives, Torgerson reported that the engagements often resulted in little more than verbal support without any financial backing. “There was a lot of gratitude… but in the end, it was just, ‘Thanks, way to go,’” Torgerson stated, emphasizing the lack of funding programs for municipalities affected by disasters outside their jurisdiction.

This situation raises significant concerns about the preparedness of provincial and federal emergency management authorities. Torgerson highlighted that Valemount’s experience may not be an isolated incident. He warned that municipalities elsewhere, such as those in Ontario hosting evacuees from Manitoba, could find themselves in similar circumstances in the future. “If you don’t do this, what message does that send to other rural municipalities along the border?” he asked.

To address these challenges, Torgerson called for the establishment of funding mechanisms that would support local economies impacted by disasters, regardless of jurisdiction. He argued that Valemount could serve as a case study for how to effectively provide aid to small towns that support neighboring communities during crises.

While the B.C. government has allocated nearly $60,000 to assist Valemount in developing its economic recovery strategy, no further financial support has been provided. In a statement, Kelly Greene, the Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, expressed gratitude to the residents of the Robson Valley who opened their homes to evacuees. She affirmed the province’s commitment to cooperation between B.C. and Alberta in emergency responses.

The Alberta government has taken initial steps to support Valemount by allowing the Village to submit expenses through the Municipality of Jasper, which will then process reimbursements. However, the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has faced similar funding limitations. Director Dannielle Alan explained that expenses related to emergencies outside their province are not eligible for reimbursement, complicating their response efforts.

To prepare for future emergencies, Alan proposed a motion to establish a reserve fund to cover expenses related to cross-border emergencies. “We went and put together a $25,000 fund that we passed in this year’s budget to be more nimble on the ground,” she said, highlighting the need for flexibility in emergency responses.

As Valemount continues to navigate the aftermath of the wildfire, Torgerson remains hopeful that the lessons learned will prompt governments to take economic recovery funding more seriously. “We might have paved the way, but paving the way sucks. It’s terribly inefficient,” he said, reflecting on the challenges faced. Despite the difficulties, Torgerson expressed pride in the community’s response during the crisis, noting the generosity shown by residents who opened their homes to those in need. “If we ever had to do an evacuation like that again, it would be with the team I have,” he concluded.