NDP critic slams UCP over Jasper tax relief delay [Video]

The NDP is pushing the UCP Alberta government to provide immediate tax relief for the Municipality of Jasper following the wildfire five months ago.

Kyle Kasawski, Alberta NDP shadow minister for municipal affairs, said in an interview that Jasper was being treated differently from other towns that have suffered from wildfire, such as Slave Lake and Fort McMurray.

The province had recognized in those situations that it was unfair to charge property taxes at the same rate as before the buildings were destroyed, but Kasawski noted this was not the case for Jasper.

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“They are really holding the town hostage for an agreement they’re asking from the federal government, which is they need Parks Canada to lease the land for interim housing they want to build in the town of Jasper,” he said.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver commented in …