Category: Economic

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

The Wildfire Aftermath, and Policing in a Fort McMurray That is Evacuated

In the wildfire aftermath Fort Mcmurray is a ghost town, with more than 80,000 residents evacuated and only service and emergency organizations allowed into the area. Recently the Wood Buffalo RCMP officers discussed what it was like policing the city, and there are investigations into at least 100 breaking and entering incidents. The police are taking an optimistic view of this, and it is hoped that many of the forcible entries were not for criminal purposes. The RCMP detailed that in a number of cases valuables were visible in plain view yet these were not taken. It is very possible that some of the forcible entry cases were the result of search or rescue efforts and not the results of robbers trying to steal from those forced to flee the wildfire.

The wildfire aftermath in Fort McMurray has led to police officers finding people who did not evacuate as ordered as well as the forcible entry cases. According to RCMP Inspector Kevin Kunetzki during an RCMP K Division press conference “Our investigators have observed many cases where valuables were clearly visible within the home, which would indicate something other than a criminal act had occurred. We will followup, starting by contacting the homeowners to see if they can explain the incident. It was only a very small, handful of people who refused to leave. The vast majority of residents in those areas were very co-operative and understood the safety concerns, and evacuated the area without incident. They wanted the assistance they just didn’t have the means, so we were able to provide that. A third case involves firearms being turned over to the RCMP by a farmer who wanted to ensure his firearms would be safely kept. Police are not forcibly entering homes to seize firearms.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Health

Is Wildfire Recovery Possible in Fort McMurray?

Is a wildfire recovery possible for Fort McMurray? This is something that many people are wondering after tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate the city and some neighborhoods are seeing an 80% destruction rate. Any recovery will not be quick or easy after all of the damage that the wildfire has caused in the area, and residents who return may feel like they face a tough uphill climb to get back to normal. One thing that the Fort McMurray community does well is to come together when things get tough though, and the community has a can do spirit and a drive that is remarkable. There are some residents who have lost everything who may chose not to return to the home and city that they evacuated from, but most will come back to help with the rebuilding process and make the city great once again.

The first step in the Fort McMurray wildfire recovery is already underway, with the damage being assessed. Before any rebuilding or cleanup can start it is necessary to understand the full extent of the damage. Because of the scale of the destruction this process will take a little time and residents must be patient. Many are eagerly waiting for the day when they are allowed to return and start assessing the damage to their own residences and property. It is estimated that the costs involved with the wildfire will total billions, and many can not file any insurance claims until they know what damages they have incurred. This can not be done until they are allowed to come back to the city. Once this happens then the recovery can truly begin.

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Alberta Economic Health

Food Crisis in Fort Chipewyan Averted by Good Hunting Opportunities and Food Drops

Fort Chipewyan came close to a food crisis a few weeks ago after the wildfire caused the evacuation of Fort McMurray, with Mikisew Cree First Nation Chief Steve Courtoreille warning that the small hamlet could be completely out of food within 5 days if something was not done about the problem. More people meant more food was needed, and many hit the only grocery store in Fort Chipewyan to stock up before supplies became scarce. Many worried that this could have a devastating impact on food prices, with the cost rising and many who have a limited income suffering as a result. The smoke from the wildfire sent an abundance of geese north into the hunting area for the group though, and the hunters were quick to take advantage. According to 32 year old Cree trapper Robert Grandjambe “I’ve been contacted by people who haven’t contacted me before, looking for some meat. The food situation is not so bad now. But people are so dependent nowadays on the store and this really triggers awareness.”

Those who rely solely on the Fort Chipewyan grocery store often face shock over prices, with 10 pounds of potatoes priced at up to $25 and a pint of blueberries costing around $11. Any upward movement of food prices could severely impact the ability of seniors and low income residents to afford enough food. Thanks to regular food drops prices have stayed stable right now but the hunting by First Nation members definitely helps the food stretch further. According to Fort Chipewyan Metis vice president Blue Eyes Simpson “The food situation is becoming pretty stable right now. The Northern has groceries trucked into Vermillion that are then flown in. There are planes with groceries that are dispersed to evacuees.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Many Fort McMurray Evacuees May be Eligible for Emergency Funds

The recent implementation of a program for emergency funds may help Fort McMurray evacuees with some financial assistance if they qualify. The funds are being provided by the Alberta government and the Canadian Red Cross, and they are issued in the form of pre-loaded debit cards. The emergency funds were distributed up until May 20 at centres located in Edmonton and Calgary, and the lines for those who were seeking assistance were lengthy. Starting May 24 the emergency funds will also be distributed by more than 50 Alberta Works locations which are situated throughout the province. Premier Rachel Notley asked that residents who were financially secure hold off at first so that those who were in dire financial straits could receive assistance first.

During a press conference about the emergency funding for Fort McMurray evacuees Notley explained that “There will be long lineups, especially through the early days of distribution. So, I am asking all evacuees, if you don’t need emergency funding immediately, please let those in desperate need be first in line. That way, we can distribute the debit cards as quickly and efficiently as possible. Be assured that the funding will not run out. There are enough debit cards for every eligible evacuee.” The Canadian Red Cross will provide $600 per adult and $300 per child, and the province has promised to provide $1,250 per eligible adult and $500 for every eligible dependent. Since the wildfire caused the evacuation of Fort McMurray roughly 80,000 residents have registered for assistance with the Red Cross.

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Fort McMurray Wildfire Damage Horror Stories Include Insurance Companies and Landlords

The Fort McMurray wildfire has caused damage and destruction, and it has had an emotional toll as well as a financial cost to residents who were forced to evacuate and who may have lost everything while they are away from home. There have already been horror stories of insurance companies refusing to honor claims, landlords who are MIA when tenants need them, and even people looting or breaking and entering into the homes that the evacuees fled from. Tenants discovered that some landlords refused to refund even part of the monthly rent that was paid for apartments and homes which are no longer inhabitable, or even completely destroyed. A few residents have complained that landlords even insisted that the tenant pay rent for next month as well even though they can no longer reside in or even use the space that they are paying rent for.

While there are some horror stories that have been made public after the Fort McMurray wildfire theer are also stories that inspire. Some landlords were always available to their tenants and they were fair and reasonable if damages occurred. There have also been insurance companies who were quick to assess damage and to evaluate claims, offering fair payouts and complete assistance at a time when residents need it most. A few bad apples does not diminish all of the good that people did in the last few weeks. If you dealt with a landlord or insurance company after the Fort McMurray wildfire what was your experience like? Do you feel you were treated fairly?

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac Politics

Wildfire Budget Cuts Defended by Premier Rachel Notley

With the wildfire crisis going on in Fort McMurray many have been critical of recent wildfire budget cuts in the budget for this year, but these cuts are being defended by Premier Rachel Notley as necessary. The provincial budget showed that theer would be a $5.1 million cut in tanker contracts and a $9.6 million cut to the base wildfire management budget. According to Notley these cuts were simply common practice for base funding earmarking, and that there is an understanding that the emergency budget for the province covers firefighting efforts. Premier Rachel Notley discussed the wildfire budget cuts during a recent press conference and stated “In no way, shape or form are we suggesting that we wouldn’t put every bit of resources that are required to ensure that fires are appropriately fought as they arise. This is the way these kinds of emergent and non-predictable costs are typically budgeted.”

According to Wildrose Leader Brian Jean “Fighting forest fires is one of the most important things we can do. Forestry is one of our largest resources here in Alberta and should be protected.” The current wildfire crisis could make the budget cuts in this area even more of an issue with residents, especially if they do not think the province was prepared for the wildfire that is going on. This could lead to finger pointing once the crisis is over and there could be political fallout because of the wildfire budget cuts. In 2015 $375 million was spent by the province to fight wildfires, and none of the money spent for this purpose was previously earmarked in the provincial budget, it all came from emergency funding for the province instead.