JANUARY
A Subdivision and Appeal Board (SDAB) hearing on a 21-unit common amenity building on Bow Valley Trail, that would add 79 bedrooms and three employee housing units, was heard, leaving the possibility it could be reversed or modified. SDAB ultimately maintained the original development permit.
An agreement between the Town of Canmore and Three Sisters Mountain Village Properties Limited (TSMVPL) had both parties consent to play out the Court of Appeal process and pause the mandamus application with the Court of King’s Bench which would’ve seen the Land and Property Rights Tribunal decisions on the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek area structure plans move ahead.
The Town of Canmore and Canadian Rockies Public Schools reached a deal that would see at least 25 of the 125 units in the Lawrence Grassi Middle School area redevelopment plan be affordable, with five being purchased by the Town at market price.
FEBRUARY
A new mental health program between Alberta Health Services and RCMP has early success in the Bow Valley with the Regional Police and Crisis Team.
An update shows changes made by Alberta Health Services in the Calgary zone have slightly improved paramedic response time in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
The Town of Canmore and Stoney Nakoda First Nation filed written arguments for the Court of Appeal case against TSMVPL.
A report commissioned by the towns of Banff, Canmore and Jasper shows the economic impact they have on the province due to their tourism-based economies. The report is part of the advocacy to receive a tourism-based status to raise additional revenue to support infrastructure needs.
A final report to the House of Commons has Banff and Canmore remaining in a redesigned federal riding that would separate it from Airdrie and Cochrane. The original proposal had Banff and Canmore separated from one another.
Canmore Community Housing’s board advocates for the province to look at potential changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to reduce greater rental hardships for non-Canadian residents.
The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission (BVRTSC) approved the purchase of a common amenity unit in Canmore’s Teepee Town for staff accommodation to help offset staffing shortages being faced by Roam.
A contentious new helicopter business proposing a heliport on Crown land in the MD of Bighorn and near the Town of Canmore near the Alpine Club of Canada raises significant concerns by several community groups, businesses and residents as the province looks at its viability.
An energy-from-waste facility proposed by Southern Alberta Energy from Waste Association continues to move forward with a location and partner for the site selected.
A formal request from the Town of Canmore leads to further discussions of the Town taking over provincially-held land in the Palliser area, with the intention of it being future affordable housing.
A police shootout in an area outside of downtown Canmore leads to 27-year-old Austin Desylva being taken to a Calgary hospital with gunshot wounds. Desylva’s case continues to be processed in the courts with a potential trial date in 2024 or early 2025.
MARCH
The Town of Canmore and Flatiron Construction Canada Ltd. begin the process to mutually end their agreement for work on the Cougar Creek flood mitigation project that is two-and-a-half years behind schedule.
A third-party report from Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association shows the Town of Canmore has significant planning and development timeline delays. The Town contends the average delays are due to incomplete applications, but they are open to working with industry partners to find improvements.
The managing director of Canmore Community Housing and executive director of Canmore’s downtown BIA was fired without cause, and resigned, respectively. Both organizations would appoint interim managers until new people were found.
A lengthy legal battle between the Town of Canmore and TSMVPL led to the Court of King’s Bench ordering Canmore to rezone the Staircase lands near Quarry Lake.
An SDAB hearing that leads to two employee housing units being permitted in Canmore’s light industrial area of Bow Meadows Crescent highlights the contentious issue of employee housing in light industrial areas of Canmore.
TSMVPL, the Natural Resources Conservation Board (NRCB) and the Land and Property Rights Tribunal (LPRT) file their final arguments in the lead-up to the Court of Appeal hearing.
Canmore council approves the creation of an independent committee to review council pay, which would be done in the leadup to the 2025 municipal election but not come into place until the next council term. A terms of reference was approved in May and the committee members were selected in October.
A 98-unit visitor accommodation on Bow Valley Trail gets the go-ahead from the Canmore Planning Commission.
The BVRTSC turns down allowing dogs on the bus because of riders who are afraid of dogs, people not controlling dogs while on the bus, and maintaining cleanliness.
A three-week public engagement period launches for the Palliser Trail ASP to hear from residents about future housing needs in the community.
A discussion on the Town’s planning department efforts to modernize and improve services turns into a debate between Town staff and a Canmore councillor on who establishes service levels. A subsequent Outlook article interviewing multiple political scientists and governance experts confirms elected officials are responsible for such decisions.
Canmore council selects Ironclad Earthworks to replace Flatiron Construction Ltd. as the contractor for the Cougar Creek flood mitigation project. An initial $5.3 million contract is agreed upon.
A bill brought forward by former Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin to give Banff, Canmore and Jasper special tourism-based designation is shelved when the spring legislature ends.
Initial work to lower speed limits on several Canmore arterial and collector roads begins. The move was a recommendation in the 2018 Integrated Transportation Plan and money was set aside in the 2023 budget.
APRIL
The Court of Appeal case on the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASP was heard after the Town was granted the right to appeal the LPRT’s decisions on the two high level development plans.
Canmore council approves an independent review of its procedural bylaw after an updated bylaw proposed to give select Town staff the ability to call points of order against elected officials. The bylaw is later approved to give clarity to staff and council roles, while also removing the CAO position from finance committee.
Canmore Community Housing’s board approved an ambitious plan to look at all ways to grow its inventory to provide affordable housing. The board also had an interim management team to serve until a new executive director was selected.
Some reports of feral rabbits returning after the Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease went through the local bunny population, but they ultimately teetered out. Council later removed the feral rabbit management plan during budget talks. The plan had cost the Town about $600,000 since 2011 to manage the feral rabbit population.
The median residential property assessment neared $1 million when it came in at $969,000.
The provincial government agreed to give 2.3 hectares of land in the Palliser area to the Town of Canmore. The agreement is contingent on the Town developing a plan to eventually build housing on the location.
A 67-year-old Canmore man is killed in a vehicle collision on Palliser Trail.
The Town of Canmore’s resident citizen survey lists affordable housing, growth and development, and transportation as the main areas of concern for locals.
The Town ended 2022 with an operating surplus of $240,000, which was directed into municipal reserves.
The Bow Valley Waste Management Commission approved the return of the shingle recycling program in a move that could aid local recycling efforts.
MAY
Minor variances for a 98-unit visitor accommodation on Bow Valley Trail are approved by the Canmore Planning Commission.
The Lawrence Grassi Middle School ARP, which was approved in 2022, added a direct control district for a section of the high level plan to add a mixture of affordable and market housing.
Canmore’s Downtown BIA gave council a list of potential options to modify paid parking, ranging from free parking between Mondays and Thursdays, allowing cheap employee parking passes, including MD of Bighorn residents in the three-hour free parking, and reducing hours of paid parking. No changes are made to the program.
JUNE
Canmore’s Utility Master Plan is presented to council, but not approved, as being completed. The plan gives an overview of future infrastructure needs for the municipality and is the key document in establishing off-site levies. The plan is later accepted for planning purposes by council, but multiple political scientists and governance experts state in the Outlook the need for the plan to be approved by council. The plan is a key guiding document for establishing off-site levies between the municipality and developers.
Canmore council approves its housing action plan as part of its application for the federal government’s $4 billion Housing Accelerator Fund. The plan proposes to look at possibly eliminating the building of single-family homes, changes to the land use bylaw and phasing out tourism home designation.
A development plan for south Canmore at 800 3rd Ave. narrowly passes at council, which adding a handful of homes and serving as a location for a palliative care home.
A defeated application for employee housing that proposed 12 units and 34 bedrooms at 100 Alpine Meadows highlights the growing polarization of employee housing in light industrial areas of Canmore.
A two-year-old girl died after she fell into the Bow River and drowned near the Bow River Campground.
A water advisory that was initially blamed on hot temperatures and lack of rain is deemed to largely be due to several leaking pipes throughout the Town, a balancing issue of regulating pressure zones and potential mechanical failures.
The 10th anniversary of the floods highlights how much damage was done to Canmore and the Bow Valley and ongoing flood mitigation work to add safety for the community.
An infill project on Three Sisters Drive that could lead to 12 residential units on a site with two single-family homes is approved. The plan proposes using the density bonusing, which is typically left to ASPs and ARPs, but also raises the issue of developing a comprehensive planning process for future infill proposals.
A direct control district for Trinity Bible Church is approved by council, which would see the church move from its Canmore location to Harvie Heights Road.
JULY
Canmore council approved a massive budget increase for the Cougar Creek flood mitigation project from $49 million to $78.1 million and looks for potential grants from the province and federal governments.
Canmore Community Housing names Michelle Ouellette as its new executive director.
The Shriners Al Azhar Oriental Band is denied access to participate in Canmore’s Canada Day parade, with the Town saying it didn’t register but also that it was not culturally appropriate.
The central phase of Railway Avenue gets approved by council, which will see construction begin in 2024 for a massive revamping of the section of road and redesign of the 10th Street and Main Street intersections.
A previously-approved employee housing project on Bow Meadows receives a unit increase from 12 to 15.
An 18-unit affordable housing project from CCH in Stewart Creek is passed by its board to head for council consideration. The plan is later approved and construction is expected to take place in 2024.
Canmore’s closed door bylaw was approved, regulating doors to be closed from Thanksgiving Day weekend to the final Friday in April in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
AUGUST
Potential electric vehicle requirements are examined to be added to Canmore’s land use bylaw. The development industry warns it could mean an additional cost to development and stretch existing electrical infrastructure, but are open to discussions.
An overview of the Palliser Trail ASP is provided to council, with it proposing about 1,000 affordable housing units in the plan. The public hearing would have multiple organizations propose recommendations – though none were added – and the plan would be approved in November.
The Canmore Fire Hall is – which was to be decommissioned for the new fire station in 2023 – approved by council to be repurposed largely for municipal office space.
A look at changing aspects of the Canmore Planning Commission – which were the second in less than a year – were made that had changes to development authority for specific planning areas of the municipality.
A council motion leads to approval to have Town staff look at creating a way to improve the local circular economy to help divert waste from going to landfill.
Roam transit’s first view at the 2024 budget proposes to sustain its recent growth and add service hours and more staff.
SEPTEMBER
A narrow council vote led to council directing Town staff to return with amendments to the Municipal Development Plan and land use bylaw to discourage employee housing in Canmore’s light industrial areas.
Canmore council approves $8.3 million in spending for the Cougar Creek flood mitigation project after costs grew from $49 million to $78.1 million and nearing three years behind schedule. Council directed staff to find potential savings in the upcoming budget to avoid extra immediate costs to taxpayers.
The livability tax policy task force is established by council to review the municipality’s tax policies and potentially come back with a plan to remove the tourist home designation. The committee met four times in the fall and recommendations are expected to return to council in early 2024.
A 66-unit visitor accommodation at the site of longtime local spot Craig’s Way Station is approved by Canmore Planning Commission. Construction is expected to take place in 2024.
An audit to look at Canmore’s composting, garbage and recycling needs is undertaken to look at residential and commercial waste habits, with potential changes returning to council in 2024.
OCTOBER
Alberta’s Court of Appeal upholds the LPRT’s decisions on the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASPs, which ordered the Town of Canmore to adopt the planning documents.
The Town begins development of an action plan to help the community improve its co-existence with wildlife.
A proposal to have Canmore paid parking revenues put into asset replacement and rehabilitation reserve is postponed until finance committee begins its budget talks in November. A framework on where net revenues are directed is ultimately approved and a specific paid parking reserve remained.
Town staff are directed by council to prepare a bylaw to restrict municipal election signage to private property and potential public spots in the municipality. It will return for possible council approval before the next municipal election.
A long-awaited ARP for Canmore’s downtown is presented to council along with a timeline for a lengthy public engagement that would see it return for potential approval in 2025.
An appearance by Premier Danielle Smith at a BOWDA luncheon has a protest of about 140 people on the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the LPRT’s decisions on Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASPs.
The Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASPs are adopted by Canmore council as both sides look for ways to move forward after more than two years of legal battles.
A backup code of conduct investigator is approved by Canmore council in case its primary investigator is unavailable.
Canmore adds a badly needed doctor as the community continues to face a drastic shortage of physicians.
NOVEMBER
Alberta Health Services shuts down a home in the Silvertip area which had been subject to several police raids and neighbourhood complaints.
A report shows the Safe Park program – often referred to as Vanmore – sees a surge of users. It is eventually given continued funding in the 2024 budget talks.
A new scope was approved by council to limit the sewage stench throughout large portions of the town in the past two summers. The project is expected to take place in 2024.
An open letter paid advertisement in the Outlook by TSMVPL minority owner Blair Richardson threatens to financially impact the Town, having a potential impact on residents. The letter generated significant scorn in the community and later led to the company saying it was the opinion of one person and not TSMVPL.
Roam Transit will explore ways to mitigate its overloading bus situation, which had more than 1,000 instances of overloads that caused riders to not be able to immediately take the bus. The overloads are largely isolated to Banff and Lake Louise.
A living wage report from Alberta Living Wage Network shows that Canmore has the highest in the province at an hourly wage of $38.80 being needed to live in the community.
Council approves a 75 per cent municipal property tax reduction for a 10-year period for a soon-to-be-built 59-unit mixed-use building at 900 Railway Ave. As part of the deal, 95 per cent of the units would be specifically for Canmore residents.
DECEMBER
Roam Transit continues to be part of Proterra’s ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, but only for its electric battery warranty which isn’t expected to be needed for another five to six years. The transit authority has an unsecured claim of about $1 million.
Canmore council approves a 7.6 per cent budget increase for 2024, which for a median residential household valued at $969,000 is an annual increase of $151 or $12.58 a month. The water and wastewater rates and residential waste rates also increase. The budget sees paid parking prices increased and new zones to be added to the program. It will also see a long-term financial strategy updated, necessary renovations to Elevation Place and some flood mitigation pushed back to prioritize Cougar Creek.
The historic Settler’s Cabin on Canmore’s Main Street is approved for redevelopment by the Canmore Planning Commission. The owners of the site said they’re attempting to salvage as much as possible of the building, but it was largely in bad condition.
An expansion of a previously-approved employee housing project on Industrial Place is provided to go from 26 to 43 units.
Canmore council approves a potential addition to Canmore Collegiate High School, which would see a new classroom and multi-purpose room added, but a future decision on moving forward would still be up to the school board.
In a continuation of the polarizing employee housing topic in Canmore’s light industrial areas, SDAB approves legalizing an existing two-bedroom unit meant for local employees on Bow Meadows Crescent.
The Stoney Nakoda First Nation launches a lawsuit against the Alberta government and Town of Canmore over the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASPs having been adopted by Canmore council in October. The First Nation argues both parties didn't meet requirements of federal law in engaging Indigenous peoples about potential impacts.
