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You can't run a business without staff. And in Jasper, finding and keeping staff has become nearly impossible without affordable, available housing. The chronic shortage of workforce housing is one of the most significant structural challenges facing the Jasper business community — and it existed long before the 2024 wildfire made it dramatically worse.
JPCC advocates for housing development that prioritizes the needs of workers and the businesses that employ them, including higher-density options, below-market units, and creative models that can deliver results in a constrained land and regulatory environment.
Workforce housing is not a peripheral issue — it is a core economic issue. Businesses that cannot house their staff cannot operate at full capacity, cannot grow, and ultimately cannot survive. JPCC supports any initiative that increases the supply of housing available to workers, and we believe the municipality, Parks Canada, the province, and the private sector all have roles to play in delivering it.
Jasper Staff Housing Co-Operative — JPCC is advancing a business-owned staff housing co-operative as a long-term solution to Jasper's chronic workforce housing shortage. The model would allow participating businesses to collectively own and manage purpose-built, high-density staff accommodation — replacing the inefficient and disruptive "staff house" model that has long been the default in Jasper.
Early-stage development work has confirmed strong business interest, viable land options, and formal conceptual support from Parks Canada. JPCC has engaged a consultant to complete a feasibility study and Project Charter, with a target completion of spring 2026 and a shovel-ready goal of Fall 2027.
Council Engagement — JPCC has raised workforce housing as a priority in multiple presentations to Municipal Council, emphasizing the direct connection between housing availability and business viability.
Post-Wildfire Housing Advocacy — The wildfire dramatically compressed an already-strained housing market. JPCC has been vocal about the urgency of rebuilding worker housing alongside residential rebuilding, and has raised concerns about the pace, cost, and allocation of interim housing provided during the recovery period.
JPCC will continue to press for concrete action on workforce housing at the municipal level and to support any provincial or federal funding initiatives that can accelerate supply. We are monitoring the progress of recovery housing development and advocating for transparent, fair allocation processes.
If workforce housing is affecting your ability to staff your business, we want to hear about it. Contact us at [email protected] or call 780-852-4621.