EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is demanding the fire-stricken town of Jasper apologize and retract a report criticizing her government for its role in last summer's devastating blaze.
Smith also blames the federal government for failing in the fire response by not asking sooner for provincial help and for not clearing out dead trees that provided fuel for the flames.
The report commissioned by the town reflects a survey of firefighters and other front-line staff who battled the blaze, which destroyed a third of buildings in the town located in the federally run Jasper National Park.
The town and Parks Canada had jurisdiction in fighting the fire.
Those surveyed said Alberta officials got in the way with requests for information and issues management and they interfered in making decisions outside their jurisdiction.
The Opposition NDP says the response is on brand for Smith and her United Conservative Party government, lashing out and laying blame rather than accepting constructive criticism.
More coming.
The Canadian Press
