The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing an update on recovery efforts to help those who were ordered to evacuate in the Conception Bay North region due to wildfires. 

These efforts are part of the Provincial Government’s ongoing commitment to help residents and communities recover, and builds on the $500 in emergency financial assistance for households ordered to be evacuated from their primary residence due to a wildfire this year.

Effective today, an additional $500 payment will be provided to each household ordered to evacuate for more than 14 days from their primary residence in the Conception Bay North area, by the province or municipality due to a wildfire in 2025.

To receive this payment, households must be registered with the Canadian Red Cross. If you have already registered, you do not need to register again. More information on registration is available in the backgrounder below.

Other financial supports announced today include:

Additional temporary housing assistance

This assistance is available to households whose primary residence of the Conception Bay North region is uninhabitable and uninsured. This assistance will be reevaluated in three months.

• $1,000 per household, per month, to those who can reside in private accommodations with family, friends, or community members.
  Up to $1,500 per household, per month, to assist with the cost of rental accommodations. Individuals must provide receipts to confirm rental accommodations.
• Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation will assist households to find accommodations at licensed hospitality establishments, like hotels, if they are unable to secure either private or rental options. Eligible households must register and confirm their information by contacting 1-855-724-3391.

Support for small to medium sized businesses and employees
An Employment Response Team is being set-up to support impacted workers and businesses and undertake job matching activities. This will be located at the Carbonear Employment Centre at 17 Industrial Crescent in Carbonear.

Business support:

• One-time Evacuation Business Stipend to support eligible businesses. Financial support will be structured based on the number of employees:
  • $1,500 for businesses with two to nine employees.
  • $2,500 for businesses with 10 to 99 employees.

• Flexibilities for wage subsidies:
  • Employers operating in Conception Bay North or who have employees who live in the region, will be eligible to receive up to 42 weeks of wage subsidy. This is an increase from the 28 subsidized weeks.
  • Employers may be approved to hire more than one impacted individual at a time.
  • Employers may fill existing vacant positions with an impacted individual.
• Meeting spaces will also be open and available at Employment Centres for impacted businesses.

Employee support:

• The Work Supports Program allocation is being increased from $1,000 per person to $2,000 per person. This increase will help support the replacement of work tools, equipment and attire, and other eligible costs associated with returning to or maintaining employment. The program is now extended to include self-employed individuals seeking to restart their operations.
• The Job Creation Partnerships Program will reopen to accept applications focused on wildfire impacted regions, with an emphasis on community remediation, forestry and silviculture activities.

For more information on employee supports, please email employmentprograms@gov.nl.ca or call 1-800-563-6600.

In addition to the $30,000 Special Assistance Grant provided to Small Point-Adam’s Cove-Blackhead-Broad Cove earlier this summer, the Provincial Government is looking to identify additional funding opportunities.

These initiatives stem from the work of the Cabinet Committee on Conception Bay North Response and Recovery, to ensure the safety and well-being of affected residents. The committee continues to work diligently to coordinate efforts with all partners and is focused on immediate relief and long-term recovery supports.

Quotes
“In the face of these devastating wildfires, the strength and resilience of Conception Bay North has been extraordinary. To every resident and business owner affected by the wildfires, please know that our government stands with you, and we are working around the clock to ensure you have the support you need. We are here for you today, tomorrow, and for the long road ahead.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our committee is focused not only on immediate relief, but also on long-term response. This committee is about partnership, as we are working hand-in-hand with stakeholders, residents, communities and organizations, who are all committed to delivering real support and meaningful solutions. You are our priority, and we are here for you every step of the way.”
Honourable Jamie Korab
Chair, Cabinet Committee on Conception Bay North Response and Recovery
Minister of Seniors and Minister Responsible for the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation

“We are listening to the concerns of residents, families, and business owners in Conception Bay North, who have shown incredible strength in the face of these wildfires. We are deeply committed to helping you recover, not just with financial assistance, but with compassion, coordination, and care.”
Honourable Steve Crocker
MHA, Carbonear-Trinity-Bay de Verde

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BACKGROUNDER

If you have already registered with the Canadian Red Cross, you do not need to register again.

These payments will be sent to you in the same format you received the initial $500 emergency financial assistance payment.

If you have not received your initial $500 payment, please contact the Canadian Red Cross directly at: 1-800-863-6582.

Eligible households MUST meet the following criteria in order to receive financial assistance:

Registered
Confirm your information with the Canadian Red Cross if you have not already registered.

• By calling, 1-800-863-6582, between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., seven days a week.
• By visiting, redcross.ca/2025NewfoundlandWildfires
• For in-personassistance: visit the SPLASH Centre at 30A Cathedral Street in Harbour Grace.

Evacuated
Impacted residents must have evacuated from their primary residence.

Verified Compliance
Impacted residents must confirm through an attestation/affidavit compliance with the evacuation order.

Proof of Residency
Your primary residence address will be confirmed by the Canadian Red Cross.

Household Definition
A household is defined as a person or group of persons who live together and consider themselves a household. Multiple households may live in the same dwelling. The following are examples:

• A married or common law couple, with or without children.
• A single parent family.
• A single person.
• In situations where a lease lists two tenants who are not in a relationship (for example, roommates), each tenant is considered a separate household.

Payment
Financial assistance will be provided to eligible residents as soon as possible via electronic funds transfer, pre-paid card, cheque or alternate arrangements as required.