News — GPREP - Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership

• Beginning August 30, students evacuated from British Columbia and the Northwest Territories have the choice to enroll in Alberta schools for the start of the 2023/2024 school year. Families with students in kindergarten to grade 12 are asked to contact local schools to request enrolment. All students are welcome if there is space available. This option will stay in place as long as the evacuation orders are in effect. Once students are safely able to return home, they will enroll as usual in their territory school systems.  

• As of August 29, 2023, applications are now open for the Evacuation Travel Support Program. The Evacuation Travel Support Program offered by the NWT Government will provide financial relief to NWT residents who evacuated by vehicle due to the wildfires: $750 per vehicle evacuated to a southern jurisdiction or $400 per vehicle evacuated within the NWT.  

• Evacuees navigating Federal supports and Employment Insurance (EI) are advised to go directly to Service Canada or Alberta Supports.  
  • Service Canada (11601 101 Street, Suite 101) 

• • • (800) 622-6232 Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

• • Grande Prairie Alberta Supports (9845 99 Ave – Towne Centre Mall) 

• • • (780) 538-6241 

• • • Hours:  

• • • • Monday to Thursday, Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  
      • Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. 
      • Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

• The Grande Prairie Reception Centre is located in Teresa Sargent Hall at the Montrose Cultural Centre. (9839-103 Avenue)
  • Hours 

• • • Monday to Friday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. 
    • Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. 

• Grande Prairie has reached capacity for hotel accommodations for evacuees and will no longer be able to accept newly arriving evacuees who require lodging, effective Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Evacuees who have already been provided with lodging can continue to stay at their assigned hotel. All evacuees can continue to access information at the Reception Centre. 
• Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees: Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 

• GPREP is actively extending all rooms prior to check-out dates. If there are any changes to lodging, we will notify evacuees.  
• NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
• Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
• 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
• 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

Updates are provided daily at www.gprep.ca/nwt-evacuees/.  

-30- 

Media enquires may be directed to:  

GPREP Information Officer  

info@gprepeoc.com 

The Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership (GPREP) continues working with partners to support wildfire evacuees by providing access to supports for people and pets evacuating from the South Slave region and Yellowknife. 

Although Grande Prairie is at capacity and no longer accepting evacuees, GPREP has registered 2157 evacuees and approximately 239 pets from the Northwest Territories since activating on August 13, 2023. GPREP is currently supplying 761 hotel rooms to 1273 evacuees at 26 different hotels and four campgrounds since activation. 

“GPREP would like to recognize all the businesses, community partners, organizations and citizens that have supported our efforts of helping Northwest Territories evacuees,” said Incident Commander Darryl Martin. “The situation is constantly evolving and we appreciate everybody’s flexibility and helpfulness while GPREP responds to evacuee needs.” 

“The City would like to sincerely thank the numerous community partners that have provided supports to evacuees during their time in Grande Prairie,” said Mayor Jackie Clayton. “Businesses and residents in our region have also generously stepped up and shown our inclusive and caring community spirit though donations and opening their homes to our northern neighbours.” 

“We are pleased to be able to offer our neighbours to the north a place to land and a warm welcome during their time of need,” said County of Grande Prairie Reeve Bob Marshall. “With many County residents evacuated from their homes during the Dunes West Wildfire just a few months ago, we understand how important it is that communities can open their doors and offer resources and support when needed.” 

GPREP has provided all Grande Prairie registered evacuees access to accommodations, meals, City Transit, transportation to meals, recreation services, laundry services, information where needed and linking evacuees to provincial resources (through the governments of Alberta and Northwest Territories).  

The Friendship Centre and Alberta Health Services (AHS) continue to be vital partners during this activation, supporting evacuees by providing essential mental health services, programs and cultural services. 

About GPREP 

GPREP is an emergency response partnership comprised of six regional municipalities: The County of Grande Prairie, the City of Grande Prairie, the Town of Wembley, the Town of Beaverlodge and the Town of Sexsmith. 

-30- 

Media enquires may be directed to:  

GPREP Information Officer  

info@gprepeoc.com 

•  Grande Prairie has reached capacity for hotel accommodations for evacuees and will no longer be able to accept newly arriving evacuees who require lodging, effective today, Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Evacuees who have already been provided with lodging can continue to stay at their assigned hotel. All evacuees can continue to access information at the Reception Centre. 
• Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees: Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 
• A list of supports for First Nations and Inuit evacuees is available from Indigenous Services Canada:
  https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1686078907307/1686078925161#sec3 

• The Grande Prairie Reception Centre hours are:  
• 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 
• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 
• Starting today, the Reception Centre phone line is now open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 
• The Reception Centre is located in the gymnasium at the south entrance of the Alliance Church.  

• NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
• Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
• 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
• 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

Media enquires may be directed to:  

GPREP Information Officer  

info@gprepeoc.com 

• Grande Prairie has reached capacity for hotel accommodations for evacuees and will no longer be able to accept newly arriving evacuees who require lodging, effective Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Evacuees who have already been provided with lodging can continue to stay at their assigned hotel. All evacuees can continue to access information at the Reception Centre. 
• Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees: Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 
• A list of supports for First Nations and Inuit evacuees is available from Indigenous Services Canada:
  https://www.sac-isc.gc.ca/eng/1686078907307/1686078925161#sec3 

• The Grande Prairie Reception Centre hours are: 
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 

• The Reception Centre phone line will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, effective August 23, 2023.  
• The Reception Centre is located in the gymnasium at the south entrance of the Alliance Church.  
• NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
• Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
  • 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
  • 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

• Service Canada will be available at Friendship Centre from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, August 22 to provide Canadians with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits.   
• Sunrise House is hosting various free activities for youth ages 12 to 24. This organization also connects youth ages 12 to 24 to resources in the community. Contact information 780-539-3287 or info@gpyess.ca. 
• The Grande Prairie Reception Centre hours are:  
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 
• The Reception Centre phone line remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.  
• Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 
• The Reception Centre is located in the gymnasium at the south entrance of the Alliance Church.  
• NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
• Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
  • 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
  • 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

 NWT Fire 2023 Aug. 20 Update

• The Grande Prairie Reception Centre hours are:  
  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday 
  • 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 
• The Reception Centre phone line remains open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.  
• Alberta reception and registration centre locations for evacuees Northwest Territories wildfire evacuation | Alberta.ca 

• The Reception Centre is located in the gymnasium at the south entrance of the Alliance Church.  
• NWT residents and evacuees can call 811 in the territory and 1-844-259-1793 out of territory to ask questions about evacuation.  
• Alberta’s Wildfire Information Center is stood up to support NWT Evacuees coming to Alberta with information and assistance. For assistance and to access supports call:  
  • 310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
  • 1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 
• The Pregnancy Care Centre is offering support for pregnant and new parents. The Centre is located at 9909 – 102 Street, Suite 525, Grande Prairie, AB. Regular business hours are 
  • Monday to Thursday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
  • Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  
  • For after-hours urgent support, please call or text their Options Hotline at 780-533-2532. For all other matters, please call 780-533-2888. 

-30- 

Media enquires may be directed to:  

GPREP Information Officer  

info@gprepeoc.com  

All Alberta Reception and Registration Centre Locations

If you or someone you know is a new evacuee that has not registered, please use the list of communities where you can register and get services at the Government of Alberta’s website by scanning the QR code below or clicking HERE.

For more information, contact: DisasterAssistance@gov.nt.ca

Effective today, the Grande Prairie Reception Centre is reducing its hours to 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Leduc Reception Centre opened at 8 a.m. today and is now accepting new evacuees. 

Alberta Health Services has set up a Health Hub at the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre (10507 98 Avenue) to provide health support including mental health, addictions and public health.

The Health Hub is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and by phone at 780-296-0470 during the same hours.  

The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre Saturday and Sunday suppers are from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Moose stew and bannock is being served on Saturday only to give evacuees a traditional meal option.

Reception Centre – Leduc

Address: 4330 Black Gold Drive, Leduc, AB, T9E 3C3

(Northeast parking lot, Side Entrance)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The St. Albert Reception Centre is full and registration is no longer available at this location. If you are a South Slave region evacuee who has not registered and in need of resources on the evening of August 16, 2023, please register at the Grande Prairie Reception Centre location at Alliance Church.

Starting tomorrow, August 17 at 8 a.m. the Leduc Reception Centre will open to any NEW evacuees from the South Slave region that are not yet registered.

Reception Centre – Leduc

Address: 4330 Black Gold Drive, Leduc, AB, T9E 3C3

(Northeast parking lot, Side Entrance)

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Government of Northwest Territories provided information on financial resources and more. Visit the website HERE.

Any new evacuees arriving from the NWT that are NOT yet registered MUST proceed to the St. Albert Registration Centre, located at Servus Credit Union Place, as accommodation space in Grande Prairie is limited.

• Address: 400 Campbell Road, St. Albert
• Email: ess@stalbert.ca

Bus transportation is available from Grande Prairie to St. Albert, please call (780) 876-4910 to arrange. 

Check-in Safe

A public Facebook group is available to mark yourself safe from the 2023 wildfires in the NWT.

NWT Wildfires Safety Check

Use this group to mark yourself safe from the 2023 wildfires in NWT, so your friends and family will see. Please don’t post on behalf of someone else unless you know for certain they’re safe.