By Brittney Matejka

Ag Minister’s response to Hilda wildfire assistance puzzles Cypress County

Mar 26, 2018 | 5:40 PM

CYPRESS COUNTY, AB. – Alberta’s Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier visited Jenner, AB. yesterday but did not travel the hour and a half to Hilda, AB. to see the area affected by the devastating wildfires last October.

Minister Carlier was asked if he was hearing of a need for more assistance for farmers and ranchers.

“What I am hearing is from the counties, we’re not hearing frankly from the producers themselves or through the organizations, the Alberta Beef Producers or the Western Stock Growers,” he said. “I think that could be an opportunity in the future to talk to them.”

Andy Kirshenman lost a home and farmland in the fire near Hilda, AB. Since then, he has been writing letters and actively trying to get help from the provincial government.

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“It’s really hard for us to find the right people in a timely manner in a situation like this,” he said.

Kirschenman volunteers as the chair of the Hilda Fire Recovery Committee and he believes when it comes to lobbying the government, a lot of it should be left up to the county.

“We have other things to do other than chase down government officials,” he said. “We feel our councillors at the municipality level are good, they know the channels and it seems like an odd request (from Minister Carlier).”

The province has offered $25,000 interest free loans to help affected farmers and ranchers, and Cypress County has been pushing to see that amount increased. Council met with Minister Carlier for a third time in Edmonton last week.

Cypress County Reeve Richard Oster said he was under the impression last weeks meetings had been positive but now he isn’t sure after hearing Minister Carlier’s comments.

“I was quite surprised,” he said. “I thought we were going at it the right direction instead of having a large group come, we had some representatives (from) the area.”

Councillor Robin Kurpjuweit said Cypress County has been speaking with affected residents to help voice concerns.

“I think what this just shows is we need to turn up the volume a little bit,” he said. “It seems like it’s almost an invitation to hear from the residents and we’ll gladly step up and answer that.”

Minister Carlier said the province isn’t making any commitments to additional aid for the area.

“At this point, continue monitoring,” he said.