JANUARY
Longtime Canmore Fire-Rescue chief Walter Gahler retired from the service in early January.
Canmore council heard from Alberta Health Services on the work being done to improve ambulance coverage in the Calgary zone in the hope of preventing the continued shortfall of ambulances in the community.
FEBRUARY
Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards was removed as the federal PC’s chief opposition whip after Erin O’Toole was removed as the party’s leader.
Statistics Canada data showed Canmore was one of the top 10 fastest growing small urban communities in Canada after a 14.3 per cent population growth was recorded between 2016-21.
Property assessments for the Town of Canmore hit roughly $8.7 billion after $143.6 million in new development was finished in 2021.
The Land and Property Rights Tribunal began the hearings on the Smith Creek and Three Sisters Village area structure plans (ASPs). It ended after 15 days and more than 100 hours of testimony. The tribunal would solely rule in Three Sisters Mountain Village Properties Limited’s (TSMVPL) favour, with the Town asking and receiving the Court of King’s Bench permission to appeal the decision.
Sally Caudill was named the new CAO for the Town of Canmore, following the retirement of Lisa de Soto, who held the role for nearly a decade. Caudill has worked for the Town since 2006.
Canmore Food and Friends celebrates its ninth year in operation and would pass 100,000 dinners served in the community later in the year.
The Homeless Society of the Bow Valley – formerly the Resident Emergency Shelter Temporary – reopened its overnight shelter for the second consecutive year in Canmore.
MARCH
The Lawrence Grassi Middle School area structure plan (ASP) was approved by Canmore council following a lengthy all-day public hearing. The plan will add about 120 housing units, including upwards of 20 affordable homes.
The Town of Canmore filed its legal defence against TSMVPL’s $161 million civil lawsuit and asked the courts to dismiss it. The Town would later do the same for the $63.5 million civil lawsuit filed by Thunderstone Quarries on the Smith Creek ASP lands.
A 101-unit visitor accommodation on Bow Valley Trail was approved by the Canmore Planning Commission as it aligned with the Town’s Bow Valley Trail general commercial district and land use bylaw.
The first common amenity housing units were approved in Teepee Town by the Canmore Planning Commission. The project would later be appealed by area residents, but the Subdivision Development and Appeal Board would rule in favour of the project.
The provincial government committed nearly $1 million for a new transit route in Canmore and Kananaskis Country that would bring bus service to the Canmore Nordic Centre and Grassi Lakes day-use areas.
The Bow Valley Primary Care Network released information that the region is dealing with a physician shortage, largely due to the lack of housing in the area.
Canmore resident Sarah Elmeligi was selected as the NDP’s choice for the Banff-Kananaskis riding for the 2023 provincial election.
The design work for the West Bow River pathway begins in what would become a polarizing and contentious issue for many residents in the neighbourhood. The work is expected to begin in 2023.
A new pilot project to help student mental health is started by multiple community organizations such as artsPlace, the Wim and Nancy Pauw Foundation and Right From The Start.
Canmore EMS received provincial funding to help improve the hours available for ambulances in the region and a third ambulance to operate in the community would later be added.
A report from the Bow Valley Food Alliance showed growing food insecurity in the region due to the pandemic. It outlined recommendations to potentially improve the situation.
Additional information was unveiled on what $17.5 million in provincial funding would aid for the Canmore Nordic Centre with improvements to its aging infrastructure.
The federal government announced that it would be loosening international COVID-19 travel restrictions, which were praised by the tourism sector in the region.
A staff report to Canmore council showed the filming of The Last of Us helped bring in just shy of $325,000 in gross revenue to the Town as council expressed an interest in having future TV and movie filming in the community.
The Bow Valley Immigration Partnership created an inclusion charter to help benefit international employers and regional employees.
APRIL
The spring labour report from the Job Resource Centre showed a significant staffing drought in the Bow Valley.
The ground was broken on the new wildlife overpass near Lac Des Arcs which will allow wildlife to safely cross the Trans-Canada Highway. The wildlife overpass is the first of its kind approved by the province.
Canmore council approved a motion to lend its voice to asking the province to stop the creation of a provincial police force and continue to use the RCMP.
A food truck pilot program was approved by Canmore council. The program wouldn’t be submitted for further approval in the 2023 budget.
Ridgeview Medical Centre cancelled its evening walk-in clinics as the physician shortage is further highlighted in the Bow Valley.
The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission received more than $1 million in provincial and federal grant funding to help from shortfalls due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
A report was brought to Canmore council showing the cause of the boil water advisory in July 2021 was likely due to an excess of sediment in the lines, which will have no financial impact on the Town.
A development application reserve fund was created by the Town of Canmore to help development applications get processed more quickly, with money able to hire additional planning staff. Council later authorized nearly $800,000 to go into the reserve.
A change in tourist home taxation was brought forward by Canmore’s finance committee to have the classification of homes taxed along the lines of the non-residential rate. The plan would later be approved by council.
The Silvertip gondola project was brought forward and public engagement began. The project will go through the Natural Resources Conservation Board process to see if it is in the public interest of Alberta to continue.
The Town of Canmore reported a surplus of $2.8 million, but nearly $1 million came from unfilled positions meaning there was reduced services and staff logging more overtime hours.
The design work began for a redesign of Elk Run Boulevard and Glacier Drive in the industrial area of Canmore.
MAY
Ariana Blackwood, a 20-year-old Canmore woman, was killed on the Trans-Canada Highway near the Canmore Visitor Information Centre. Her death is still under investigation, but it led to renewed calls for a pedestrian bridge over the highway.
A development on Bow Valley Trail near Spring Creek Mountain Village was approved that will add 70-80 units of common amenity housing for employees and commercial space.
The Bow Valley Primary Care Network met with regional municipal governments to ask for councils to help with the physician shortage in the area.
The final tax rate was set for Canmore residents after the province announced its education tax rate.
Canmore council approved the renewal of the photo radar contract. The polarizing program brings in about $600,000 a year and Town staff showed it improves community safety.
A Subdivision and Development Appeal Board decision rules against the stockpiling of dirt in the Three Sisters Mountain Village Properties Limited area of the unfinished golf course. The decision raises concerns from the development industry, especially with stockpiling of dirt a common feature for any development.
The Land and Property Rights Tribunal ruled entirely in favour of TSMVPL’s Smith Creek and Three Sisters Village ASPs. It orders the Town to approve both ASPs and move forward with the development of the projects.
A monthly parking pass is established for downtown Canmore workers as the paid parking program is about to be brought into force.
The hours for CT scans at the Canmore General Hospital are increased to further help ambulances remain in the Bow Valley as opposed to transporting people to Calgary. Later reports showed the additional hours help ambulances remain in the Bow Valley.
Some seasonal Roam transit routes are scaled back due to the ongoing driver and mechanic shortage being felt by the transit authority.
Canmore council approves joining the Bow Valley Food Alliance’s food charter, adding its name to the Town of Banff and Improvement District No. 9.
JUNE
A proposed South Canmore development is given approval at second reading, but council asks Town staff and the landowners to develop a conservation easement on portions of the land to limit development in perpetuity. Third reading has yet to be given by council and is expected to be brought back for decision in 2023.
A mixed-use development with employee housing was approved by the Canmore Planning Commission in the industrial area. Town staff had recommended against the approval.
Canmore council approved its strategic plan for the term, with a focus on affordability, livability, the environment and improving and building on existing relationships. The plan led to council asking the province and federal government for more help in addressing the housing crisis in the community.
A wildfire exercise took place in Canmore that brought together all regional emergency services in practicing for a potential evacuation of parts of Canmore.
The Bow Valley sees nearly 100 millimetres of rain in a short amount of time as the area prepared for potential flooding.
The Town of Canmore files for leave to appeal on the Land and Property Rights Tribunal decision on the Three Sisters Village and Smith Creek ASPs. The Court of Appeal would later grant the Town the right to appeal.
Roam transit lifted its mandate for bus riders to wear masks when riding on public transit.
The federal government proposes a redistribution of several ridings across Canada, including one that could split Banff and Canmore from one another.
A summer day camp program run under the Family and Community Support Services known as the adventure club is approved as a pilot. The program would later receive funding in the 2023 Town budget.
JULY
In the span of two days, four people died in outdoor incidents near Canmore and Banff. Three people died by drowning in a boating accident near Spray Lakes campground and a man died while scrambling on Mount Temple.
A motion from Canmore council directed Town staff to keep track of provincially downloaded costs. The report was presented to council during budget deliberations in November and estimated more than $3.5 million in costs were passed from the province to the Town.
Canmore’s first heritage festival takes place as the Canmore Museum runs the event to highlight aspects of the town and its history.
A hate email response to Canmore Pride from Valbella Gourmet Foods former president Jeff von Rotz garners national and international attention as well as calls to boycott the business.
The Canmore Folk Festival returns for the first time since 2019 after being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Court of King's Bench rules the Town of Canmore to either purchase or redesignate an area of land owned by TSMVPL. The Town originally began the expropriation process to buy the land, but later approved rezoning the land.
AUGUST
The draft Roam transit budget recommended new positions be approved and more service hours added. The budget would later be passed by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission in October.
Spring Creek Mountain Village’s ARP received a series of amendments that will see stage four of development begin moving forward in the coming years.
The Court of Appeal allows the Town of Canmore file for appeal against the Land and Property Rights Tribunal decision on Smith Creek and Three Sisters Village ASPs. The Stoney Nakoda First Nation and NRCB received intervenor status, while Bow Valley Engage was denied.
SEPTEMBER
Canmore’s Clean Energy Improvement Program is launched to entice homeowners to use clean energy on their property.
A Saskatchewan man died by electrocution in a hot tub at a vacation rental on Kananaskis Way.
A Canmore council motion has the Town begin lobbying for additional safety measures on the stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway that goes through Canmore to help avoid accidents involving people and wildlife.
The Town’s bylaw officers begin tighter enforcement of wildlife attractants due to many bears coming into the community and having to be relocated, with some having to be put down.
The 25-year-old Environmental Advisory Review Committee (EARC) is dissolved by Canmore council due to the Town having environmental specialists on staff and the community having many groups who can offer expertise.
The Canmore Planning Commission makeup is switched by Canmore council to have a member of Town staff take up the chair position as opposed to an elected official or public member.
The second annual Canmore Pride is a success as thousands of people take part in the festivities. Banff Pride would take place later in the month with equal success.
A portion of Town-owned land is approved by Canmore council for transfer to Canadian Rockies Public Schools’ Lawrence Grassi Middle School ARP, but is contingent on a residency program being developed to help Canmore residents find housing in the project.
A public transit service review for Canmore was approved by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission that began in the fall and will return to the commission in 2023 for potential recommendations to improve service.
The Bow Valley Waste Management Commission approves a new strategic plan that focuses on waste recovery and more regional collaboration.
Truth and Reconciliation Day events take place across the valley as communities look to improve relationships with Indigenous peoples.
Statistics Canada data show Canmore to have the greatest wealth inequality in the country for the second consecutive census in a row.
OCTOBER
The Court of Appeal hears arguments from the Town of Canmore and TSMVPL and whether the Town can file an appeal on the Land and Property Rights Tribunal decisions. The court later allows Canmore to file an appeal.
Banff-Airdrie MP Blake Richards is named the shadow minister of Veterans Affairs by the federal PC party.
A review of the Safe Park program in Canmore shows it has had some success after two years, but participation has been minimal.
The Canmore Community Housing board of directors received a shakeup at council’s annual organizational meeting with its composition having nine voting members, including four from council.
TSMVPL files an order of mandamus against the Town of Canmore to have the Court of King’s Bench order the Town to adopt the Land and Property Rights Tribunal decisions on Smith Creek and Three Sisters Village ASPs. The Town would later file its defence and the hearing is scheduled for April 2023.
NOVEMBER
Canmore joins other municipal governments in Banff, I.D. No. 9 and the MD of Bighorn in voicing concerns about provincial changes in victim services that will greatly weaken the services offered to residents.
Banff-Kananaskis MLA Miranda Rosin was appointed parliamentary secretary of tourism by new Premier Danielle Smith.
The polarizing West Bow River pathway comes to a head in Canmore council chambers when Town staff call the RCMP on residents during the start of the monthly council meeting. No arrests were made and residents peacefully left council chambers.
The first summer of downtown and Quarry Lake paid parking running together brought in $836,000 in gross revenue in a staff report brought to Canmore council. A non-resident parking pass for downtown workers who don’t live in Canmore is approved by council to begin in 2023.
The first look at the Canmore 2023 budget forecasted a 12.5 per cent increase – an extra $3.5 million in expenses from 2022 – for an estimated extra $230 on a home assessed at $800,000 under 2021 assessment values. The budget estimated $67.9 million in operation expenses and $36.83 in capital costs. Water, wastewater, recycling and utility rates are also recommended for increases.
A mandatory commercial food waste program was proposed by Town staff, with Canmore council directed municipal staff to return with an updated recyclable and waste bylaw in 2023. The move comes after two years of the Town running a commercial food waste program and having businesses volunteer to participate.
A presentation from Town staff shows the Cougar Creek flood mitigation project is two-and-a-half years behind schedule and has led to the Town filing a notice of default against Flatiron Constructors Canada Ltd. The project is now expected to be finished in 2025.
Tourism Canmore Kananaskis announces a rebrand of its image and a new board of directors structure to include a member of Kananaskis Improvement District council.
Canmore resident and former Banff National Park superintendent Kevin Van Tighem announces a run for the NDP nomination in the Livingstone-Macleod riding. He was later selected to run for the NDP in the traditionally conservative riding.
A conservative budget that’s impacted by increased costs and inflation is passed by the Bow Valley Waste Management Commission at $4.15 million.
A report by the Alberta Living Wage Network showed Canmore to once again need the highest salary to maintain a standard of living in the community. The report calculated a weighted average of a two-parent, two child household, a single parent with one child and an individual needed to make $32.75 an hour to live in the community.
DECEMBER
The planning and design for a $4.4 million project at the Canmore General Hospital’s emergency department is launched.
Several feral rabbits are found dead throughout Canmore. Testing has confirmed that the fatal rabbit hemorrhagic disease has been found in Canmore's feral rabbit population.
The income threshold for Canmore residents to be part of the vital homes program run by Canmore Community Housing is increased to $250,000 and the net asset criteria requirement was removed by the board of directors. The move is anticipated to allow more people to join the waitlist for affordable homeownership.
The Homeless Society of the Bow Valley reopened its winter shelter at Scout Hall and will continue until March 15. The group is anticipating another season of high demand as they start earlier than in previous years.
A 10-unit visitor accommodation on 10th Street was approved to move forward by the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board. The property had previously been approved for a visitor accommodation by the Town’s planning commission, but rejected by SDAB in 2021.
Canmore council approved its 2023 budget with a 12.5 per cent increase that will see a home assessed at $800,000 see a tax increase of an extra $230 a year. The budget will have $67.9 million in operation expenses and $36.83 in capital costs. Franchise and utility fees will also be increased.
