JASPER, AB, Sept. 1, 2026 /CNW/ -- For generations, Jasper has been both a home and a destination, where people have built lives and businesses while welcoming visitors from across Canada and around the world.

The 2024 wildfire changed the community profoundly. Homes and businesses were lost, residents were displaced and critical infrastructure was placed under immense pressure. In the time since, Jasper residents, local leaders and businesses have worked with extraordinary determination to rebuild.

That recovery is about more than replacing what was lost. It is about restoring the essential services that residents depend on, enabling new homes to be built, and strengthening the community against future emergencies.

To that end, Minister Olszewski, and Mayor Ireland announced a joint investment of more than $7.9 million in a wastewater lagoon recommissioning project in Jasper. The federal portion, over $3.9 million, is being allocated through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is investing $51 billion in a wide range of infrastructure projects across the country that support economic prosperity, housing, sport, education, health, transit, and climate adaptation. It reflects the Government of Canada's acknowledgment that building a strong Canada starts with investing in the modern and reliable infrastructure that makes it possible to increase housing supply and create resilient communities.

Funding for this project will go towards the restoration of an existing, decommissioned lagoon to increase the resilience of Jasper's wastewater system. This will provide critical storage capacity during peak flow periods and reduce its environmental impact when used as an emergency wastewater storage facility. The lagoon currently receives wastewater during extended power outages at the plant, such as during wildfires or when the plant is taken offline for maintenance.

Once complete, the project will help prevent overflows and maintain continued wastewater service as the community rebuilds and grows, supporting Jasper's long-term housing strategy. It will also protect the local watershed during peak flow periods, infrastructure failures or maintenance events.

This investment is one part of the Government of Canada's broader commitment to Jasper's recovery. By strengthening the infrastructure needed to support housing, essential services and future growth, governments are working together to help build Jasper back as a safer, stronger and more resilient community.

Quotes

"The people of Jasper have shown extraordinary resilience and determination as they rebuild their community. This project reflects our government's ongoing commitment to supporting that recovery, not just today, but for the long term. Together with our partners, we are accelerating progress so that Jasper emerges stronger, more resilient, and ready to thrive for generations to come."

The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), and Ministerial Lead for Jasper

"Jasper's experience has underscored how essential resilient infrastructure is to the safety and well-being of all communities. As we rebuild, we have an opportunity to both restore what was here, and to strengthen the systems and infrastructure our community relies upon to better prepare for the challenges of the future. This investment will enhance the resilience of Jasper's wastewater system, protect the natural environment which surrounds and sustains us, and help ensure that our infrastructure serves and supports our community as it recovers, rebuilds, and prepares for its exciting future. We are grateful to both the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta for their investments in this important project and for their continued partnership in Jasper's continuing recovery and long-term resilience."

His Worship Richard Ireland, Mayor of the Municipality of Jasper

Quick Facts

• The federal government is investing $3,963,750 in this project through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund. The Province of Alberta is investing $2,213,280 and the Municipality of Jasper is contributing $1,876,720.
• Starting in 2026-27, the Build Communities Strong Fund will deliver funding through three major streams:
  • A Provincial and Territorial stream, which provides $17.2 billion over 10 years, including $5 billion in health infrastructure funding over three years;
  • A Direct Delivery stream, which provides $6 billion over 10 years, including $1 billion over 4 years as part of a Local Impact Stream that is being delivered by Canada's Regional Development Agencies to support community infrastructure projects with local impact; and,
  • A Community stream (formerly the Canada Community-Building Fund), which provides $27.8 billion over 10 years and, indexed at 2% to deliver $3 billion per year ongoing.
• The Build Communities Strong Fund will be a force multiplier in infrastructure – with funding that will be matched by nearly $17 billion from provinces, and additional billions leveraged through municipal and territorial partnerships as well as private capital. The fund will also boost Canada's GDP by $95 billion over the next decade. 
• Under the Direct Delivery stream, at least 10% of the funding will go towards investments in Indigenous communities.
• Project funding is subject to the signing of a contribution agreement between the Government of Canada and the recipient.
• Federal funding is conditional on fulfilling requirements, including those related to consultation with Indigenous peoples and environmental assessment obligations.

Associated Links

• Build Communities Strong Fund
• Prime Minister Carney launches the Build Communities Strong Fund and announces the first tranche of projects
• Prime Minister Carney shares Budget 2025 plan to build communities strong

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities