In the aftermath of a devastating wildfire that tore through the mountain town of Jasper, Alta., a new federal law will help speed up efforts to rebuild.

Bill C-76 enables the transfer of land-use planning and development authorities from Parks Canada to the municipality of Jasper.

This new law will remove barriers to Jasper’s rebuilding efforts in the national park, after 30 per cent of the town was destroyed by fire, said Senator Karen Sorensen, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate.

“The people of Jasper, devastated by wildfire, need every opportunity to rebuild quickly, effectively and with responsiveness to local needs and conditions,” Senator Sorensen said.

• Read the second reading speech by Senator Sorensen here.

“The transfer of responsibility is intended to give the municipality greater control over the rebuilding effort and to simplify the process for residents and developers. In this crucial hour of need, this bill to amend the Canada National Parks Act is an important and, indeed, necessary step in assisting Jasper with its recovery and rebuild.”

Senator Sorensen is the former mayor of Banff, Alta., a mountain town located in a national park that has had jurisdiction over land use and development since 1990.

“In practice, that means that we don’t have to obtain approval from Parks Canada officials in Ottawa to build homes for our residents or make repairs to our roads, or seek federal input over what kind of siding to use on our buildings,” she said.

“While Parks Canada rightfully manages the national park, local authorities have the autonomy to make the day-to-day decisions of running a town while upholding the highest standards of environmental conservation.”

The legislation received Royal Assent on October 3.