Rebuilding Jasper

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are collaborating on a phased approach to support residents and businesses who lost structures during the wildfire. We are currently working on Phase 1 of this approach.

Details of the 5-phase approach can be found both the Parks Canada and Municipality of Jasper websites. This approach aims to facilitate a faster recovery for the community while ensuring sustainable rebuilding practices.

Answers to frequently asked questions specific to Phase 1 have been developed and we will be adding information on subsequent phases as soon as possible.

Q. I am a property owner who lost structures during the wildfire, what are the next steps for me for rebuilding?

The first steps for residents and businesses who lost structures is to speak with their insurance provider and to think about what they would like to do next. Whether you choose to rebuild or not, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are here to support you. More information on the rebuilding phases can be found on Parks Canada’s Rebuilding Jasper website.

More information and tools to support rebuilding will be available at the end of Phase One: Getting Ready to Rebuild. Please refer to Q&A below for more information on demolition permitting.

Q. I have decided I do not want to rebuild, can I sell my lease?

Yes. All leases, including those that are vacant, can be bought and sold on the open market once demolition and clean up is confirmed complete.

Q. I want to rebuild, what do I need to know?

Rebuilding will involve obtaining building permits from Parks Canada, which oversees land use planning and development. To support this process, Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are working to streamline development review and approval processes. A detailed rebuilding guide is being prepared that will have more information. We hope to have this guide available in October. For now, information on the rebuilding phases can be found here on Parks Canada’s Rebuilding Jasper website.

Q. What does streamlining development review and approval processes mean? What changes are being considered?

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are focusing on making specific, strategic updates to existing land use planning policies.

We are exploring simple changes to the land use policies that to ensure Jasper maintains its mountain town character in a national park while also giving property owners flexibility to adapt and rebuild as effectively as possible.

Q. What are the timelines for rebuilding?

Every situation will be different. The Insurance Bureau of Canada has shared general timelines for reference, indicating that the debris removal phase can take up to 6 months, and rebuilding can take anywhere from 6 months to 24 months. These timelines are for illustrative purposes only and subject to a range of factors including permitting processes, contractor availability and supply chain considerations.

Q. How will Parks Canada ensure the permitting and development processes are expedited?

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper have secured additional capacity dedicated to supporting the rebuilding of Jasper. This includes additional planners, development review officers and individuals assigned to complete a swift review of the current land use policies and the development review and approval process. Amendments to policies and procedures will be made to help property owners navigate rebuilding processes.

We will have teams of people specifically assigned to respond to development applications for leaseholders looking to rebuild in town or operators of Outlying Commercial Accommodation. These teams will enable Parks Canada to respond more quickly than current service standards. At the end of Phase Two, we will have information about how to make a complete application.

Q. How do I get a residential demolition and debris removal permit?

Steps for Residential Leaseholders

Step #1: Contact your insurance company. Determine who is going to do the demolition and debris removal work.

Step #2: Complete forms

If someone else is applying for a permit for demolition and debris removal on your behalf, you must sign an authorization form.

Parks Canada cannot issue a permit to a third party for your leasehold for demolition or debris removal without this authorization. Specific contractors will also have forms you need to sign.

Forms needed:

•  Leaseholder Authorization Letter (PDF, 72 KB) (if someone else is applying for the demolition and debris removal permit on your behalf)
•  Development Permit Application form (PDF, 199 KB) (the form needed for a demolition and debris removal permit)

Step #3: Submit Completed Forms

You, or your authorized representative submits completed forms to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Once submitted you will receive a response as soon as possible.

Please note that this application is for the demolition and debris removal process only. Additional permits and requirements for rebuilding are also required. More information will be available on this soon.

Questions on this process can also be directed to developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.

Q. How do I get a commercial or institutional debris removal permit?

All commercial and institutional properties, you must complete the following forms.

Development permit application form (choose in town or out of town depending on the location of your property)

•  Development Permit Application form (for properties in town) (PDF, 199 KB)
•  Development permit application (for properties out of town) (PDF, 614 KB)


•  Leaseholder Authorization Letter (PDF, 72 KB) (if applicable)
•  Impact assessment project description form (PDF, 227 KB) (required for both in town and out of town)

Q. What is the bulk debris removal process?

The Bulk Debris Removal Program is a coordinated effort between Parks Canada, the Municipality of Jasper and the Insurance Bureau of Canada to expedite debris removal and permitting process for residential properties in town. Participating in this optional process will help both individual households and the wider community recover as fast as possible.

This process involves collaboration between contractors, insurance companies, government agencies, and the local community, with a focus on safety, efficiency, environmental and code compliance, and community recovery. Parks Canada is facilitating this by offering bulk permits for multiple properties to reduce administration.

Q. How has the process for demolition and debris removal permits been simplified? 

Parks Canada has streamlined the demolition permitting process to a single stage process. Coordination of this process was made possible with involvement from the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada to consolidate all pertinent information and requirements in one place for lessees. The applicable regulations and policy that have guided the requirements include but are not limited to:

• Town of Jasper Bylaws
• Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code
• Alberta Transportation Traffic Act
• Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual
• Canada National Parks Act and Regulations
• Impact Assessment Act
• Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations
• Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Soil Quality Guidelines

Once your demolition permit has been issued and prior to work commencing, the following are required to be submitted:

• When project activities will impact regular traffic patterns, an approved Traffic Safety Plan submitted to MOJ for sites located inside the townsite OR submitted to Parks Canada for sites located outside the townsite
• Alberta OHS Asbestos Notice of Project
• Hazardous Materials Assessment Summary Report to Parks Canada

For sites with higher potential for contamination (e.g. gas stations, industrial sites, etc.) your submitted Project Description Form and Hazardous Materials Assessment Summary Report will be reviewed to determine if additional steps are required for your demolition and debris removal.

Q. Are changes to zoning/and parking requirements being considered?

Parks Canada and the Municipality of Jasper are working together to complete a swift review of the current planning policies and process to recommend areas for improvement. Changes to zoning and parking requirements will be considered. More information will be shared as soon as possible, at the end of Phase One of rebuilding.

It is important to note that changes that are more substantial or have longer term impacts will not be implemented through this process and will be considered through the robust community planning process in future.

Q. Are changes to FireSmart requirements being considered?

As part of the review of the land use policies underway, the Municipality of Jasper and Parks Canada are looking at proven FireSmart construction and landscaping standards as part of development requirements going forward.

Q. Will I be allowed to replace my mobile home?

Yes. Property owners who lost a mobile home in the mobile home park will be permitted to replace it with another mobile home subject to certain conditions such as safety code requirements. Modern guidelines for replacement are being developed to help guide property owners who lost a mobile home. Mobile homes are not permitted elsewhere in the Jasper townsite.

Q. Will pre-fabricated homes be permitted?

Yes, pre-fabricated and modular homes are still permitted in Jasper and need to comply with land use policy and safety codes.

Q. Where do I go for more information?

Additional information will be available on Parks Canada’s Rebuilding Jasper website as soon as it is available.

For more information on leases (your lease/leasing in general) contact jasperrealtymunicipalservices@pc.gc.ca.

For information on development (including demolition), contact developpementjasper-jasperdevelopment@pc.gc.ca.