The province has learned from past mistakes, such as the fire and massive destruction at Slave Lake, and as a result new rules are being put into place forcing construction companies to provide a builder declaration before they can take part in rebuilding the damaged or destroyed homes and buildings in Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo. The province will post the work history plus any fines that are outstanding for each of the construction companies which participate in the rebuilding effort. This is to assist residents so that they do not end up falling for shady builders or using incompetent companies. According to Municipal Affairs Minister Danielle Larivee during a recent press conference a builder declaration must be completed before the construction company can apply for a building permit. This allows homeowners online access to the history, background, financial data, and outstanding fines or even court orders for a specific company.

According to Larivee the goal of the builder declaration is to weed out any incompetent and shady construction companies. “I certainly know first-hand how stressful rebuilding can be. Five years ago, I watched many in my community who struggled through the rebuilding process at a time when they were already vulnerable. They didn’t know how to choose the right builder for them or what should be included in a contract. It was a tremendously stressful experience and many Slave Lake families did not have the support they needed.” Companies who will be doing repairs or renovations will also be required to register and follow the same process, not just builders who build new homes.