Craig Pardy, Newfoundland and Labrador’s finance minister and chair of the Conception Bay North Response and Recovery Committee, says almost a year after the devastating Kingston wildfire there is hope amongst residents they’ll get back to the place they once were.
But there is still a long road ahead before they might experience that “new normal,” said Pardy, adding the provincial government will continue to be with them every step of the way.
“They won’t have to walk alone,” Pardy told reporters on Friday.
The Kingston fire started Aug. 3, 2025, and forced more than 3,000 residents in the Conception Bay North region to evacuate, destroyed some 200 structures and burned 10,708 hectares at its height.
Though some residents have been able to return home, much of the community is still recovering.
Pardy said the committee, alongside his deputy minister, have been holding weekly meetings with town officials on what assistance they can provide with rebuilding the area.
One of the things the government has confirmed they will help with is reforestation when the time comes.
“As soon as they know that the ground is ready… we will be there to make sure we put the seedlings in the ground as soon as we possibly can,” said Pardy.
To date, Pardy said the government has invested millions of dollars assisting the impacted communities. This year’s budget included $25 million for recovery efforts specifically.
He also said the government’s long-term housing plan for the area will be released in the coming weeks.
The government has run a temporary housing assistance program, in the aftermath of the fire for those who lost their homes, which is expected to run until the end of September.
Pardy said that at least 48 people availed of the program.
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Though he didn’t give a firm commitment, Pardy gave a strong indication the assistance program will be extended past the Sept. 30 deadline.
“If I were a betting person, there is certainly a high probability that it will,” said Pardy.
The Kingston fire destroyed Cabot Academy, a K-6 school in Western Bay, scattering students to other schools across the Avalon Peninsula. The province has committed to rebuilding the school.
Pardy said that environmental assessments for Cabot Academy have been completed and that the Department of Education is continuing to work with the impacted students to meet their needs.
CBC News has learned from the mayor of Small Point-Adam’s Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove the community will soon start struggling to pay the bills due to a number of taxpayers losing their homes.
But Pardy said the government already committed to helping the town with the shortfall in the next few weeks.
“We’ve had an account from our department out with the town, looking and helping out with their finances, so we know where the town is financially,” said Pardy.
He did not indicate what costs the government will cover.
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