Frequently Asked Questions
1. What was the Wildfire Residential Mitigation Incentive Program?
- The Canadian Red Cross recognizes that mitigation measures can be powerful tools for protecting against future wildfires. This program provided financial incentives for people living in areas previously impacted by wildfires who were interested in completing mitigative activities to be better prepared for and help reduce the risks and the impacts of future wildfire events.
- The program was available to those who:
- Had a primary residence in an area that was previously impacted by the 2016 wildfires in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB)
- Were a homeowner or a tenant or who live in a community-owned home.
- Yes. This program was open to residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) with a primary residence in an area that was previously impacted by the 2016 wildfires. Whether or not applicants were registered with the Red Cross, they could be asked to complete an authentication step to confirm their identity and verify that their primary residence is in the RMWB. This could include a video call with a program coordinator, where a valid ID was required.
- Submitted applications were processed as they were received.
- Yes, this program was intended to support both homeowners and tenants who are residents of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) with a primary residence in an area that was previously impacted by the 2016 wildfires.
- Please note that eligible mitigation activities varied based on whether applicants were a homeowner or a tenant, and the type of dwelling in which they live.
- No, small businesses were not eligible for this program.
- No, landlords were not eligible for this program.
- Depending on the activities selected and completed, households may be eligible for a maximum reimbursement of up to $5,500 to help with associated costs.
- Applications were accepted from September 29, 2025, until January 31, 2026.
- After an application was submitted, the information provided was reviewed by the program team. Applicants were then notified of the outcome of their application.
- Applicants could be asked to complete an authentication step to confirm their identity and verify that their primary residence is in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB). This could include a video call with a program coordinator, where applicants were required to show a valid ID.
- If an application was approved, the program team reached out to the applicant via email with information on what their next steps were depending on which activities were approved.
- If you have any questions, please send an email to RMWBMitigation@redcross.ca.
- Mitigation activities refer to actions taken on your home and property to reduce or prevent the impact of natural hazards such as wildfires.
- Mitigation activities are important because they help to reduce the impact of natural hazards, protect lives and property, and save communities money in the long term.
- By taking proactive steps to prevent or reduce the impact of natural hazards, individuals and communities can help mitigate the costs of recovery and rebuilding after an event occurs.
- The program provided financial incentives for residents living in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) to undertake a range of mitigative activities to protect their homes and reduce the impact of wildfires.
- For a full list of eligible mitigation activities, visit redcross.ca/RMWBmitigation.
- Please note that eligible mitigation activities varied based on whether applicants were homeowners or tenants, and on the type of dwelling.
- These activities were developed specifically to meet the needs of apartment tenants, who often have limited outdoor space (such as a balcony or small patio).
- Creating a fire-safe balcony by removing combustible items or using fireresistant furniture is one of the few ways apartment tenants can reduce their wildfire risk.
- Unfortunately, only activities that occured on or after September 29, 2025, were eligible for reimbursement.
- All activities must be completed, with final reports submitted, by June 30, 2026, to be eligible to receive reimbursement.
- As part of the program process, approved applicants are required to submit a short report no later than June 30, 2026, along with before and after photos, to show proof of the completed work, and receipts for reimbursement, if required, once activities are completed.
- You can also send an email to request support with your application or if you have questions to RMWBMitigation@redcross.ca.
- No, banking information is not required to apply for the program or to receive assistance.
- The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message. We will never ask for your social insurance number, bank account information or credit card number during your application or to receive assistance.
- If you have questions, please contact us at RMWBMitigation@redcross.ca or call and leave us a message at 1-833- 966-4225. Someone will respond to you within two business days.
ELECTRONIC FUND TRANSFERS
17. What happens if I received the electronic transfer of funds, but I don’t have access to online banking right now? Is there an expiry?- Standard electronic banking transfers expire after 30 days. If you do not accept this transfer of funds within this period, it does not mean you won’t receive Red Cross financial assistance. Your application will be updated accordingly, and you will be able to receive an alternative form of this financial assistance.
- Yes, if you have auto-deposit enabled for e-transfers, the funds will be automatically deposited into your account.
- If you do not have auto-deposit enabled, a PIN is required and will be emailed to you.
- You will still receive a PIN email if you have auto-deposit enabled. If you have auto-deposit enabled and your funds are deposited without issue, you can ignore the PIN email.
- If you’ve been provided an electronic funds transfer, and you have access to accept, we encourage you to do so, as this method will help to effectively and efficiently meet your needs. However, if you believe this is not the best option for you, we can discuss alternative options.
- Please contact your financial institution with any technical questions. You can also contact Interac directly for any questions regarding the deposit process with electronic fund transfers by visiting https://www.interac.ca/en/contact-us/, or by visiting https://www.interac.ca and navigating to Consumers – Support – Contact Us at the top of the page.
- All Canadian banks and credit unions.
- To re-enter your PIN, you must click the link you received in your initial email from the Canadian Red Cross.
- Once you log in to your online bank account, you will have the option to decline the electronic transfer.
- The PIN is in an email sent by the Canadian Red Cross which is separate to the email with the EFT.
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your inbox, please check your email bulk, junk, or spam mail folders. Once you find the email, please can add the Canadian Red Cross email address to your "approved sender" list or in your address book to avoid future emails being labelled as junk or spam.
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your email bulk, junk or spam folders, you can call us back for additional support.
- The first email only gives you a PIN, so please wait for a second email that will give you the link to the deposit. Please use the PIN from the first email to access the deposit. These second e-mail will arrive within the next 24 hours.
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your inbox, please check your email bulk, junk, or spam mail folders. Once you find the email, please can add the Canadian Red Cross email address to your "approved sender" list or in your address book to avoid future emails being labelled as junk or spam.
- If the email from the Red Cross is not in your email bulk, junk or spam folders, you can call us back for additional support.
- No. Financial assistance to eligible households through an e-transfer will always be sent to your email on file.
- Unfortunately, there are some who may try to take advantage of those impacted through fraudulent tactics. To protect yourself from fraud, it's important to understand the steps involved in receiving funds from the Canadian Red Cross.
- Individuals eligible for financial assistance will NOT need to provide their social insurance number, bank account information or credit card number during their application or to receive assistance. In addition, the Red Cross will not ask for any form of payment in order for you to receive assistance.
- The Canadian Red Cross communicates only via email, phone, or in person and would never send a link through a text message. If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of any form of communication from us, please reach out to the specific email depending on the program you have applied to.
- Always be cautious of unsolicited requests for payment and confirm any details through official channels to protect yourself and your organization. The Red Cross encourages people to stay informed from credible sources, such as the Government of Canada’s website for fraud prevention tips.
- If you suspect you have been a victim of fraudulent activity, please contact your local police authority.