Active emergency updates

Eligibility

Albertans, including temporary foreign workers, may be eligible to receive a one-time payment of $1,250 for each adult and an additional $500 for each child under 18.

You may qualify for the evacuation payment if you:

• had to leave your primary residence home for 7 days or more due to an evacuation order.
  • secondary residences and recreational properties are not eligible
• are 18 years or older (payments are also available for dependants)

See the Evacuation payments – eligible communities section for a list of communities with an Evacuation Order in place for at least 7 days.

Anyone who left their community voluntarily, but who were not part of a mandatory evacuation order, is not eligible for payment.

How to apply

• Online applications are now closed.
• Evacuees can still apply in-person at any Alberta Supports Centre Monday to Friday from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm.
• The Alberta Supports Contact Centre is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 8 pm. Call toll-free 1-877-644-9992.

Get help

For questions or assistance with your online application:

Alberta Supports Contact Centre

• Hours: Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 8 pm
• Call toll free: 1-877-644-9992
• In-person: Visit an Alberta Supports Centre.

Residents of the following communities can apply for emergency evacuation payments:

• Garden River, John D’or Prairie and Fox Lake communities within Little Red River Cree Nation
• Janvier 194 (part of Chipewyan Prairie First Nation) and the MD of Opportunity No. 17/Chipewyan Lake
• Town of Jasper and Jasper National Park

Albertans in need of emergency financial assistance as they leave their community may contact the Income Support Emergency Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135 or visit Emergency financial assistance.

• Contact your insurance representative if you have questions about your insurance coverage during the wildfires.
• The Insurance Bureau of Canada has updated information about insurance during wildfires. Albertans affected by wildfires can visit their web page for information on property and auto insurance or contact their Consumer Information Centre:
  • Phone: 1-844-2ASK-IBC (1-844-227-5422)
  • Email: [email protected] (Western and Pacific regions)

School registration

• Jasper schools reopened on September 17
• Families are encouraged to contact their school authority for the most up-to-date information on school operations and back-to-school planning:
  • Grande Yellowhead Public School Division
  • Conseil Scolaire Centre-Nord (email [email protected])

Information for seniors

Evacuated seniors who receive monthly Alberta Seniors Benefit payments by cheque should call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre at 1-877-644-9992 to have a replacement payment sent to a current location or bank account.

• Hours: Monday to Friday - 7:30 am to 8 pm

Provincial business taxes

Alberta’s government recognizes the extraordinary challenges faced by businesses operating in areas impacted by recent wildfires.

Business operators affected by a wildfire and not able to file returns or make payments as required may be eligible to have the associated penalties and interest waived or cancelled.

For more information, see the Important Notices on each of the following pages:

• Corporate income tax
• Fuel tax
  • Fuel sellers
  • International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA)
  • Propane sellers (automotive use)
• Tobacco tax
• Tourism levy

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) applicants

Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is helping applicants whose employment is affected by wildfire evacuations in Alberta. Applications based on a job offer or residence in an Alberta community that has been evacuated will be held up to a maximum of one year from any Alberta community’s evacuation date.

Applicants affected by an Alberta wildfire will have one year to demonstrate they meet AAIP criteria. If unemployed due to the effects of the wildfire on businesses, this includes finding a new job in an eligible occupation with an Alberta employer.

For more information see AAIP updates.

Unfair business practices

It’s not uncommon for reports of price gouging to occur during and after emergencies.

If the price you pay grossly exceeds that of similar goods or services that are readily available, and a business fails to inform you why they are charging more than their competitors, that may qualify as an unfair practice.

• Learn more about unfair business practices

Scams 

Scammers and fraudsters will often try to take advantage of people during and after emergencies. Be particularly aware of scams from text, email or telephone that seek your personal or financial information.

We will never send you unsolicited emails, text messages or call you by phone asking for your personal information.

• Learn more about common scams

If you see something suspicious or think you've been the target of a scam, report it to your local police or to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre online.

Landlords and tenants

Learn more about what you need to do as a tenant or landlord returning after a wildfire evacuation.

• Tips to follow during wildfires and the recovery

Home repairs and renovations

Learn more about hiring a contractor and signing a contract for repairs and renovations after returning to your home.

• Tips on repairing your home after the Alberta wildfires

Condominium owners and boards

Learn more about condo fees and repairs after returning to your home after a wildfire.

• Tips to follow during a wildfire and its recovery

Employment agencies

Learn more about using an employment agency to find work.

• Tips and advice for temporary foreign workers

Any companies, individuals or organizations that would like to offer support to those impacted by the wildfires can email their offers to [email protected] and [email protected].