When you lose everything you own 1k isn't going to get you very far.

It's emergency money for the here and now.

Fort McMurray is a relatively wealthy area...so I'm assuming most people had insurance. Most insurance companies interviewed have said they will cover emergency needs as well, so this new amount is to cover the stuff insurance doesn't, and obviously it will be a lifesaver to people who don't have insurance. I'm guessing there will be more to come for long term accommodations and rebuilding.

due to the remoteness of Fort Mac

Most of them make grocery runs once a month to Edmonchuck to save on expenses

And everyone who 'owns' a home in FMac has a mortgage and by Canadian law must have fire insurance

The funding will help the expense of living rough in small town where groceries and gas are expensive

But things will get tough depending on the timing of renewed employment and insurance payouts

Many will be caught short and have to look for work and new homes elsewhere

My peeps own a glass repair business in FMac They may be able to get up and running quickly or maybe not depending on how they can adapt their business to a redevelopment scenario rather than an existing community with consumers and infrastructure

It's going to a fine balance for everyone

I've lived in some northern places in Alberta and BC (the one place I didn't live was Fort Mac). Yep, high wages but high cost of living. But overall, we did better than we did living in the big city.

I agree things will still be tough and I hope Rachel Notley goes above and beyond. Trudeau as well.

I've already seen many stories of people declaring they won't be going back - usually people that know they've lost their homes or people who were laid off and have family back east. My friend's dad is already looking for work down here in Edmonton, even though he is technically still employed up in Fort Mac - his company is fine but isn't sure about if they have work. He's one of the lucky ones. He lost his apartment but his home is down here.

There are some lucky people who have some good employers who are really stepping up. The company I work for has some stores in Fort Mac and has paid for all expenses for evacuated employees here in Edmonton - hotels, gas, incidentals. I've heard some other companies are doing the same.

Long term though it will get a bit more rough for most people. Obviously no one can stay in a hotel for months. And it will take months. My daughter's best friend's mom lost her home in Slave lake and it took many months before she could go back to stay.

It will be a fine balance.

Will the government give them one?

south where there is more civilization to help them out. It organized a convoy to transport others thru the fire zone toward the south.
Sure beats what our government did during Katrina.

Most people in that area did not vote for her as that's the home of the opposition leader (very right wing) and he lost his home in the fire.

Plus, I think she is just a good person with compassion and understands the challenges people are facing.