Jasper, Banff, Canmore community groups unite to steward wildfire recovery funds

JASPER – The Jasper Community Team Society (JCTS) is guiding the stewardship of wildfire recovery funds for Jasper in partnership with the Banff Canmore Foundation.

The $8 million in total funding will go toward immediate relief and support Jasper’s long-term recovery following last summer’s devastating fire.

“The Banff Canmore Community Foundation has really been our big sister, almost, in a lot of this because they have so much experience going through granting and distributing funds, especially at the scale that the JCTS is dealing with right now,” said JCTS co-chair Brooklyn Rushton. “They’ve been really helping guide us on the best practices and connecting us with resources and supporting us.”

Through its Rocky Mountain Community Relief Fund, the Banff Canmore Foundation has raised more than $550,000 to provide immediate relief. These funds will be distributed through the Municipality of Jasper’s Community Outreach Services and go toward addressing food support, mental health services, recreation, housing assistance and other critical needs.

“The Jasper fire has prompted many Bow Valley residents to reflect on what it means to live in and be part of a mountain community,” said Laurie Edward, executive director of the Banff Canmore Foundation, in a media release. “This outpouring of support is a powerful reminder of our strength and resilience.”

The JCTS, meanwhile, has raised $2 million. While these funds will also be distributed through Community Outreach Services, Rushton said they will be following a three-year distribution strategy so money would still be available when other funding sources run out.

“It was a kind of nice partnership because ours was always for long-term recovery and theirs was for immediate relief,” Rushton said. “We both fill these gaps that existed in the community as best as we could, as funding agencies.”

Around $1 million has already been released – $500,000 from the JCTS and $550,000 from the Banff Canmore Foundation.

Tourism companies have pledged $5.5 million toward Jasper’s long-term recovery. The collective pledge includes $3 million from Pursuit, $1.5 million from Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, $1 million from Rocky Mountaineer and upward of $300,000 from Jasper Brewing and Maligne Range.

Rushton said there would soon be more details on how this funding would be distributed and utilized.

“Each donor has their own particular processes for distributing funds and potentially particular needs that they want to support with those funds,” she added.

The JCTS continues to accept donations and is actively fundraising for the Jasper Fire Caring Community Fund.

“The Jasper Community Team Society is here for you,” Rushton said. “We are working very hard, especially as volunteers who are also recovering. A lot of our board members are recovering from the fire as well, but we’ve maintained and continue to focus on supporting those who need the support.”