Jasper residents risk running out of coverage for expenses as rebuilding efforts lag, report warns

Residents and business owners in Jasper, Alta., are at risk of running out of insurance coverage for additional living expenses and business interruption, as delays in rebuilding after last year’s wildfire continue to challenge the town, an industry association warns.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada said in a new report that, while rebuilding efforts are progressing, only 56 of the 358 properties destroyed in the western Alberta town have as of July 7 received the necessary permits and approvals to proceed with the restoration of homes and businesses.