Calgary

Fort McMurray hotels, landlords warned: no price gouging

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort McMurray, has a warning for hotels, work camps and landlords as thousands return to the community: no price gouging.

Operators must maintain the prices that were in effect on April 30, statement reads

Workers put out markers around a devastated area of Timberlea in Fort McMurray on Thursday. Members of the community are slowly being allowed back into their homes. (Jason Franson/Canadian Press)

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo, which includes Fort McMurray, has a warning for hotels, work camps and landlords as thousands return to the community: no price gouging.

"Operators must maintain the prices that were in effect on April 30," the regional municipality said in sternly worded statement Thursday.

There were allegations of retailers and business owners taking advantage of residents following the Alberta floods of 2013 as the hashtag #YYCgreedy began to trend at the time.

Wood Buffalo says it will be watching.

"Those landlords and property owners that are charging prices above April 30 prices will be investigated and enforcement action will be taken," the statement reads.

"We will be monitoring this issue closely. We hope that the spirit of goodwill and co-operation associated with the lengthy evacuation will continue as we begin to rebuild our community."

Residents can report incidents to the PULSE line at 1-780-743-7000.