Fort McMurray MLAs write letter to Ottawa asking for drywall exemption

The Wildrose MLAs who represent Wood Buffalo are asking Ottawa to get involved and provide a drywall exemption to those looking to rebuild their homes.

In the letter they released on Tuesday, they talk of unfair trade practices and how it could lead to massive increases in drywall costs, slowing down recovery.

They’re hoping Ottawa will follow through with its promise to help and use its authority under the Special Import Measures Act to exempt drywall coming into the Regional Municipality from the new tariff.

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo MLA Tany Yao worries this could hamper the recovery effort of those ravaged by fire.

“Certainly at the very least, I think they can do regional exemptions so that would be the simplest route to take with this,” he said. “Hopefully they’ll recognize it if we bring it to their attention and act accordingly.”

Yao says there’s a lot of people worried in the city that they won’t have adequate insurance to address their losses and unemployment rates.

He believes this could cost save some thousands of dollars and a lot of time.

“It is a financial burden on this economy,” he said. “It’s just another nick in our confidence.”

“Certainly groups won’t be hesitant to buy drywall if they know the price will be fair. People are struggling to get their houses rebuilt. It does impact a lot of people,” Yao added.

Both he and his Fort McMurray counterpart, Wildrose leader Brian Jean, are hoping the government will come through with the additional help.

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