By Charles Lefebvre

Barnes seeking government assistance for residents impacted by Hilda fire

Oct 31, 2017 | 11:40 AM

EDMONTON — Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes says he is committed to ensuring the residents of Hilda and Schuler receive assistance from the government following the devastating wildfire two weeks ago.

Speaking over the phone from Edmonton Tuesday morning, Barnes says he planned to bring up the issue during Question Period Tuesday afternoon, but didn’t get the chance.

“First of all, we’ve got to make sure everybody is okay,” he said. “For 100 and more years, these brave Albertans have been taking financial risk, and again we’re reminded, a personal risk, in feeding Albertans.

“Let’s make sure the people in the community gets back on their feet as fast as possible, and the individuals and the families have all the supports they need.”

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He adds he has been meeting with Agriculture and Forestry Minister Oneil Carlier, about trying to help the residents of his riding.

“There were some financial losses, where people were about to take cattle to market, people losing their grass, people losing their homesteads, and there may be some opportunities for the government to step in to ensure that AFSC ( Agriculture Financial Services Corporation) is on top of some of the insurable losses, and to make sure that things are streamlined, and regulations and red tape is cut to the bone, and people are helped as fast as possible.”

“It is traumatic when communities and families are affected by wildfire and our thoughts are with them, especially the family of the firefighter who died while responding,” said Carlier.

“I have been in contact with producers who have suffered losses as a result of this unfortunate wildfire in southern Alberta,” The minister added. “Agriculture and Forestry staff and AFSC officials have also been in close contact with producers affected by these events. We know that some producers have coverage for these insurable losses including AgriStability and forage insurance.”

Barnes says he has travelled to Schuler to speak with residents at a meeting at the Community Hall one week ago. He also says he has been speaking with other farmers impacted by the fire.

“I’ve been able to talk to them about the supports that are required, about the horrific extent of these fires,” he said.

He adds he has also been impressed with how the community have been banding together to help each other in the wake of the fire.

At this point, the province is not considering declaring the fire an agricultural disaster as it’s considered an insurable event.

“We will continue to work with municipalities and producers to see what more government can do with programs currently in place,” said Carlier.