Jasper’s Catch-22

Catch-22 is a term made popular in the '60s and '70s by a book and movie of the same name. 

In the book, a Catch-22 is essentially an unsolvable problem due to rules that have been put in place (kind of like the Kobayashi Maru in Star Trek). For instance (for the book's anti-hero) if one is crazy, one should not have to fly bombing missions; and one must be crazy to fly. But one has to apply to be excused from such missions, and applying demonstrates that one is not crazy. Think Klinger in M*A*S*H.

That's what is happening in Jasper AB. This past summer's wildfire displaced hundreds of residents and, as they rebuild, there is a Catch-22: residents need houses in order to rebuild and restart the economy, but they can’t restart the economy without tourists. And tourists require services, which require workers, who require housing.

It's a fascinating story of hope and resiliency. And, our hearts both mourn your losses and cheer your resolve.