The following is adapted from a post by Shauna Kelly, in which she writes
I'm devastated for the residents of Jasper, and I'm too familiar with the overwhelm/brain fog that can occur in a crisis. I have brought information from many sources into one 'To-do list' to try to alleviate some of the overwhelm. Some items may not apply (e.g., if you haven't lost your home). My heart is with you, and please feel free to share this.
Be sure to keep all receipt, including mileage, and copies of all communications for your records. You will be asked to present records of your expenses.
Short-term actions
Step 1: Seek financial assistance
- Apply for the Alberta Evacuation Payment.
Alberta's evacuation payment is meant to ease the costs of being away from your primary home due to an evacuation order during a disaster. It is one-time funding to help pay for immediate housing needs and day-to-day purchases such as groceries, gas, and more. It is not intended as income replacement.
Evacuees can apply for the payment at alberta.ca/Emergency using a verified Alberta.ca account: this allows Albertans to prove who they are without paper documents or face-to-face visits.
Albertans who qualify will receive:- $1250 for each adult age 18 and older when the evacuation order was given
- $500 for each dependent child under 18 when the evacuation order was given
- Evacuees living with a disability, medical condition or other particular family needs who are unable to stay in an evacuation centre can request emergency financial assistance to cover hotel accommodations. To apply, visit an Alberta Supports Centre or call the Income Support Contact Centre toll-free at 1-866-644-5135.
- Apply for Employment Insurance (EI) as soon as possible. You can still apply, even if your employer hasn't yet issued a Record of Employment (ROE).
- Register with the Canadian Red Cross (Alberta Wildfires 2024). Registration ensures evacuees can be contacted while they are away from home and also ensures they can be reached with information on Red Cross services and assistance to them during this difficult time. For information or to register, call toll-free 1 888-800-6493.
Step 2: Ensure you have required medications/medical supplies
- If you had to evacuate without your prescription medications, call Alberta HealthLink to speak to a triage nurse, who will connect you to a virtual doctor to get refills. Call 811 toll-free from anywhere in Alberta or 1-866-408-5465 if calling outside of Alberta.
- Alternatively, speak to a pharmacist. Pharmacies across Alberta have access to your medical file through NetCare, a centralized health information network. If you present the pharmacist with government-issued Alberta photo ID and your Alberta Health Care Insurance Card (which has your Personal Health Care Number on it), he or she should be able to access your medication file.
- You can also contact the Poison & Drug Information Service (PADIS) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week toll-free at 1-800-332-1414. PADIS provides free, confidential, 24/7 expertise and advi ce on the health effects of poisons, chemicals, medications, and herbal preparations.
Step 3: Secure important documents, and report/replace lost ID, passports, credit cards, etc.
- Replace passports, temporary visas, work permits and citizenship documents at no charge. For more information, refer to 2024 Wildfires in Canada: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship measures - Canada.ca.
- Replace Alberta identification such as birth certificates and Alberta driver's licences (PDF document; 1 page) at any Alberta registry office, and let the registry agent know you have been affected by wildfire. You should be a cost to replace your government-issued Alberta ID at no cost.
- If replacing a driver's licence, your replacement card will arrive within 5 business days to the registry agent location where you applied or to an alternate mailing address in Alberta.
- If replacing a birth certificate, bring another form of ID with you or someone who you have known for more than one year who can vouch for your identity. Registry agents will validate your identity and evacuation status. Your replacement card will arrive within 2 to 3 business days to the registry agent location where you applied or to an alternate mailing address in Alberta.
- To replace your Alberta Health Care Insurance Card at no cost, call 780-427-1432. To call toll-free from anywhere in Alberta, first dial 310-0000. Your replacement card can be mailed to a temporary address.
- The Canadian Red Cross has a great checklist/guide, Guide to Wildfire Recovery (PDF document; 30 pages), that includes documents you may not have thought about.
Step 4: Contact banks to report/replace credit and debit cards
- CIBC: 1-800-465-2422
- ATB Financial: 1-800-332-8383
- TD Canada Trust: 1-866-222-3456
- RBC Royal Bank: 1-800-769-2511
- BMO Bank of Montreal: 1-877-225-5266
Step 5: Contact insurance providers
- File claims with your home (even if you are a renter with renter's insurance), auto, and business insurance provider:
- Intact Insurance: 1-866-464-2424
- Aviva Canada: 1-866-692-8482
- The Co-operators: 1-877-682-5246
- TD Insurance: 1-866-454-8910
- RBC Insurance: 1-800-769-2526
- Desjardins Insurance: 1-888-785-5502
- Allstate Insurance: 1-800-387-0462
- Peace Hills Insurance: 1-800-272-5614
- thePersonal Insurance: 1-888-785-5502
- Make an inventory of items in your home, using the Home Inventory Checklist (PDF document; 7 pages) as a guide.
- Additional insurance references:
- Understanding your insurance policy (PDF document; 2 pages)
Prepared by the Canadian Red Cross, this document is intended to help individuals better understand insurance terminology. - Fire Insurance Fundamentals (PDF document; 1 page)
Prepared by the Canadian Red Cross, this infographic explains the types of home insurance policies and coverage available in Canada.
- Understanding your insurance policy (PDF document; 2 pages)
Step 6: Contact cable/Internet providers to cancel/suspend services
- Telus: 1-888-811-2323
- Shaw Communications: 1-888-472-2222
- Eastlink: 1-888-345-1111
Step 7: Contact utility companies to suspend service
- ATCO Electric: 1-800-668-2248
- ATCO Gas: 310-5678 (within Alberta) or 1-800-668-2248 (outside Alberta)
- FortisAlberta: 310-WIRE (9473) (within Alberta) or 1-855-333-9473 (outside Alberta)
Step 8: Forward your mail through Canada Post your temporary address
- Canada Post should be offering free mail forwarding for evacuees but haven’t updated their website as of July 27, 2024.
- Also, if you haven’t done so, notify your employer, schools, and other relevant parties of any new contact information.
Step 9: Landlords and tenants, understand your responsibilities during evacuation
- Renter in the Event of Wildfire: Facts and Tips (PDF document; 2 pages) — Canadian Red Cross
- After the Fire For Landlords and Tenants in Alberta (PDF document; 4 pages) — Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta
- Alberta wildfires - Tips and advice for tenant and landlords (PDF document; 1 page) — Government of Alberta
- Residential Tenancies Act (RTA) Handbook (alberta.ca) (PDF document; 72 pages) — Government of Alberta
- Common problems – Landlords and tenants — Government of Alberta
Long-term actions
Step 10: Rebuild your home
- Consider your options for rebuilding your home.
- Work with contractors and local authorities to ensure safe and legal rebuilding, using the Canadian Red Cross's Substantial Repair and Reconstruction Contract Checklist (PDF document; 4 pages) as a guide.