
Jasper mayor stands by critical wildfire report, expects no bad blood with province
The mayor of Jasper says he stands by a report commissioned by his town that criticizes Premier Danielle Smith’s government response to a wildfire that destroyed a third of the Rocky Mountain community.
Smith has demanded the report, issued last week, be retracted and that the town issue an apology.
“We don’t doubt the report at all,” Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland told reporters at a news conference with officials Monday.
“The report is the report. It was not intended to ascribe blame. It does not ascribe blame, and it is not a political instrument. Our regret is that it has been used as a political instrument.”