Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard and municipal affairs minister Kaycee Madu met with High Level evacuees at GPRC Monday. Photo by Curtis Galbraith.

By Curtis Galbraith

High Level

Provincial politicians meet High Level evacuees at GPRC

May 27, 2019 | 1:58 PM

High Level evacuess lined up for financial assistance from the province at evacuation centres Monday.

Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu and Grande Prairie MLA Tracy Allard met with some of the people from High Level at the reception centre at Grande Prairie Regional College.

Allard says the Swan City is prepared to host evacuees for as long as it takes.

“We’re very hopeful that the people will be home in the next week, but again, it’s up to the weather.”

Local History

Oliver's Funeral Home - 109 years of Service

Sep 04, 2024

Funeral Alternatives

When You Don't Want A Funeral

Aug 07, 2024

Non-Traditional Funerals

Non-Traditional Funerals

Jul 12, 2024

She adds it was very emotional for her to meet with the people forced from their homes.

“I was asked to pray for people, given multiple hugs, thanked for the support, just thanked for being there. I was just so moved by the community spirit that’s down there (in the reception centre) and the patience of the people in the line.”

Residents who were evacuated under mandatory order due to the Chuckegg wildfire will receive funding of $1,250 per adult and $500 per dependent child. So far, the government has processed more than $2.2-million.

Madu says it was beneficial to see and hear first-hand how the process is working.

“Folks are grateful that we are able to move swiftly with the evacuation. They are very pleased with the work our government (has) done so far. They are very pleased with the financial assistance that we’ve been able to provide to folks and, so far, 2200 folks have been able to receive assistance.”

We asked Madu what he says to those people anxious to get home.

“The responsibility of their government is to make sure that folks are safe. My commitment as a minister, together with my colleague (Agriculture and Forestry) minister (Devin) Dreeshen and, of course, Tracy (Allard), the MLA for Grande Prairie, is to make sure that the conditions are safe to return home. At the end of the day, our primary responsibility is the safety of our people and their properties.”

He adds the government is getting ready in case there is another evacuation like this one.

“We have been planning for this for some time now. Our government is ready for whatever emergency that comes our way. I think that is what government is there for.”

Allard says a lot of people are staying in hotels, while some have people they know that they can stay with.

“The settlements more to the north have friends (they can stay with), like in Slave Lake and High Prairie. We weren’t necessarily the first choice for some people, just for proximity and family connections. Grande Prairie’s a hub and I think there are more services available here for some of the people. It’s more familiar. They would come in here to shop or have other services.”

Six hundred forty evacuees have registered at the GPRC reception centre.