NWT Evacuees

UPDATE:

September 17, 2023  

Update: Important Flight and Hotel Information for Hay River, K’atl’odeeche First Nations, and Fort Smith

Flight Baggage Allowance
For those booked on a re-entry flight There is a strict limit of two bags per person, weighing less than 22.5 kg (50 lbs.) per bag.

Fort Smith – Change of Flight Information 

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is advising evacuees of Fort Smith who are currently in Alberta hotels that they will need to check out of their hotel accommodations by Monday, September 18.  

• Monday will be the only day for GNWT – paid re-entry flights from Alberta to Fort Smith.  
• The GNWT is calling evacuees who pre-registered to book them on flights on Monday, September 18. If you haven’t heard from GNWT by 8 p.m., Sunday, September 17, please email disasterassistance@gov.nt.ca.  

• If you wish to remain in your hotel past September 18, you will be required to provide a new method of payment for your room at your own cost. 

Only Monday Flight – 6 a.m. BE READY TO LEAVE (lobby) 

• Hampton 
• Holiday Inn and Suites 

• Paradise Inn 
• Podollan 
• Standford Inn 
• Holiday Inn EXPRESS 
• Pomeroy 
• Quality Inn 
• Sandman 
• Western Budget 

Hay River and K’atl’odeeche First Nations Information 

Evacuees of Hay River and K’atl’odeeche First Nations Evacuees in Alberta who wish to stay in your hotel past September 17 will be required to provide a new method of payment for your room at your own cost. 

Enterprise Information

As the evacuation orders in the Enterprise have not yet been downgraded, accommodations for Enterprise evacuees are still available until further notice. A GNWT representative will call and give you instructions about check-in location and time. You will be transported from the check-in location to the airport. If you miss your assigned flight, there is no guarantee you will be re-booked on a second flight. You will be responsible for booking and paying for your own return to Yellowknife. If you have questions, please email disasterassistance@gov.nt.ca for assistance from GNWT staff.

Final Evacuee Newsletter Bulletin 

Today, September 17, is the final evacuee newsletter bulletin. Any new and relevant information will be updated directly to the GRPEP website at gprep.ca 

Evacuees Staying for Medical Reasons 

The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority (NTHSSA) is providing guidance for certain groups of individuals who may need to stay in their current locations for ongoing access to care and services. Please note full details are available on the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority website. Visit https://www.nthssa.ca/en/newsroom/public-notice-return-nwt-and-supports-residents-who-have-medical-appointments-or-are  

Group One: NWT residents who are currently admitted to hospital or are in Long Term Care Facilities in Alberta. 

• Patients in this group should stay in their current location and will be supported through medical travel or other appropriate supports, as needed. Supports may also cover immediate family including transportation back to the community. 

Group Two: Fort Smith residents with a booked medical appointment in Alberta between September 18th – September 22nd, 2023. 

• Anyone in this group should contact the NTHSSA Fort Smith Region for further information if you are required to stay outside of Fort Smith, or require additional evacuee supports to stay in your current location or return to Fort Smith beyond the community evacuee coordination of flights. Anyone with appointments beyond September 22nd, 2023 should return to the community. 

If you fall into either of these groups and have questions or need further information about additional evacuee supports please call: 

• Hay River residents: call 867-874-8000
• Fort Smith residents: call the Fort Smith Health Centre at 867-621-2233 
• Yellowknife residents: call Yellowknife Primary Care at 867-767-9294 

Reception Centre Phone Line 

The Reception Centre phone line will continue to operate from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. until Monday, September 18. Northwest Territory evacuees can still contact the GNWT at 1-844-259-1793 for questions about evacuation. 

Meal Services Ending 

The final GPREP meal service is supper from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today, Sunday, September 17. There are no more meal services beginning Monday, September 18. 

PREVIOUSLY COMMUNICATED INFORMATION 

Community Social Services 

GPREP is not responsible for community social services or emergencies, please reach out to 911 for emergencies or call the non-emergency line at 780-830-5700 to report any concerns. 

GPREP’s role is to provide basic emergency support of lodging and food for evacuees, we are also currently providing transit and recreation services. 

Closure of In-Person Reception Services 

The Grande Prairie Reception Centre for Northwest Territories Evacuees has closed in-person services.  

Evacuation Travel Support Program

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. Applications are available at: https://www.fin.gov.nt.ca/en/services/evacuation-travel-support-program

Reminder of official source of information 

It has been noted that some N.W.T. evacuees are receiving spam that is directing them to unofficial sources of information. GPREP does not have any additional information on Northwest Territories operational plans outside of what has been posted on its website. The main source of information for evacuees is still: https://www.alberta.ca/northwest-territories-wildfire-evacuation 

Transportation and Transit Services
Free Grande Prairie Public Transit service, including accessible transit, is available for NWT evacuees by showing your wristband given when you register with the Reception Centre. See details about transit in Grande Prairie at cityofgp.com/transit.   

If you need transportation to medical appointments or accessible transit, please call (780) 876-4910. 

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Recreation Services
All evacuees are given wristbands when they register at the Reception Centre. These wristbands grant evacuees access to the Eastlink Centre (located at 10 Knowledge Way, Grande Prairie) and the Aquatera Outdoor Pool (located at 102 Avenue and 102 Street in Muskoseepi Park). 

Learn more information about the Eastlink Centre at cityofgp.com/EastlinkCentre or about the Aquatera Outdoor Pool at cityofgp.com/OutdoorPool   

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Laundry Service  

As of August 26, 2023, GPREP has been advised by the Northwest Territory Government that laundry services will no longer be covered for registered evacuees. If evacuees are requiring laundry services, it will be at their own expense.

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Financial Resources 

Evacuee Income Disruption Support program is available for individuals who have lost employment income due to extended evacuation periods. 

• Provides financial support to adults 17+ whose employment has been disrupted by an evacuation lasting more than seven days.  
• For more information on how to apply: 

• Call: 867-767-9168 ext. 15026 
• Email: EIDS@gov.nt.ca 

The Government of Northwest Territories provided information on financial resources and more. Visit the website at gov.nt.ca/en/public-safety  

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 

For evacuees who are on income assistance

The Income Assistance program provides financial assistance to NWT residents to assist with their basic and enhanced needs.  These needs include shelter, food, utilities, clothing and allowances for persons with permanent disabilities or aged.  To qualify for benefits, residents must have a need greater than their income and submit an application along with supporting documentation. 

Visit the “Financial Support and Donating” section at gov.nt.ca/en/public-safety. 

For evacuees needing additional assistance accessing financial supports, Alberta Supports is located at Towne Centre Mall  

100 Towne Centre Mall, 9845 99 Avenue 

Grande Prairie, Alberta T8V 0R3  

8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. from Monday to Friday 

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Medical & Pharmaceutical Services 

If you require a prescription refill, call 867-447-0169 and leave a message with the following details: 

• First and last name 
• Date of birth 
• Name of prescription 
• Name and phone number of pharmacy where you will pick up the prescription.  

Please speak slowly and clearly. You will be contacted within 24 hours, excluding weekends. If you call on Friday, you will be contacted on Monday. 

If you need a prescription urgently or to access services for more than a prescription refill, visit one of the walk-in clinics below. 

Clinic	Contact Information
Grande Banks Medical Clinic	587-771-1515
GP Medical Clinic	780-533-4444
GP Medical Walmart	780-532-2332
Northridge Medical Centre	780-538-0111
Primecare Health	780-539-3618
IMJ Medical Clinic	780-532-4415
Eagles Medical Clinic	780-532-2145
Royal Oaks Medical Clinic	877-464-0173
GP PCN After-Hours Clinic   Fort Smith Pharmacy (Fort Smith residents only)	780-539-9204     204-775-9092
Ring’s Pharmacy  (Hay River residents only)  Monday to Friday: 9 am to 4 pm  Saturday: 9 am to 2 pm	1-867-686-8477
Hay River Pharmacy   (Hay River residents only)	1-867-686-8477

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Mental Health Crisis Resources 

If you or someone you know needs emotional support or feels overwhelmed, remember you are not alone. Call one of the resources below for help. 

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. 

If someone is in immediate danger or immediate risk of suicide, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your local hospital. 

Crisis Resource	Contact	About
Emergency/9-1-1 Services	9-1-1	Call if you or someone you know is in immediate danger, at immediate risk of suicide, or in need of urgent medical, fire, or police services.
Alberta   8-1-1 Health Link	8-1-1	Health advice from Alberta’s medical experts
Alberta   2-1-1	Call or Text   2-1-1	A helpline that provides information on and referrals to Alberta’s community, social, health-related and government services.
Alberta’s Mental Health Helpline	1-877-303-2642	Confidential support for mental health concerns.
Alberta’s Addiction Helpline	1-866-332-2322	Confidential support for alcohol, tobacco, other drugs and problem gambling.
Distress Line (Edmonton and Northern Alberta)	1-780-482-HELP (4357)	A confidential, non-judgemental short-term crisis intervention, emotional support and resource for people in crisis or distress.
Kids Help Phone	1-800-668-6868	A phone line to support any youth under the age of 20 who are struggling.
Crisis Text Line	Text: “HOME” to 686868	Text support line for anyone in crisis, you will be connected with a trained crisis responder.
Indigenous Mental Health Help	1-855-242-3310	Connects the Indigenous community to support and counselling in Cree, Ojibway and Inuktitut upon request.
Adult Bullying Help Line	1-888-456-2323	Support for adults experiencing bullying or harassment.  Youth and Children are encouraged to call the Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868
Family Violence Info Line	780-310-1818	Anonymous help in 170 languages related to verbal, physical, emotional, financial and sexual abuse, neglect, stalking or being kept from seeing other people or forced to stay in one place.
AHS Integrated Crisis Access Team	587-259-5513	A mental health team is available 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, to support urgent and non-urgent concerns about mental health.
Child and Family Services	1-800-638-0715	Intake line.
Mental Health App	bezyl.com	BEZYL – Free Mental Health App for Evacuees of NWT

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Children and Family Service Supports

• Residents of Fort Smith who have evacuated and who are not in Yellowknife can access on-call support at 867-621-1122.  

• Residents of Hay River who have evacuated and who are not in Yellowknife can access on-call support at 867- 875-7012.  
• Anyone from an evacuated community who is currently in Yellowknife or who cannot reach their local on-call support and who needs Child and Family Services supports please contact the Yellowknife Child and Family Services 24-hour Intake line at 867-445-1092 or you may go in person to the 2nd floor of the Jan Stirling Building without appointment.  

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Government Supports 

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: 

o   310-4455 in Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

o   1-877-770-4636 from outside Alberta (8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily) 

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  

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Newsletter Updates 

The next newsletter will be shared at 4 p.m. on September 13, 2023. 

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.