Mayor of Banff
17 years in the hotel industry in Banff, (Banff Springs, Rimrock, Banff Park Lodge) in sales and public relations followed by 13 years operating my own business offering sales and customer service training to the hospitality industry.
Elected:
Mayor of Banff 2013 -2017
Mayor of Banff 2010 - 2013
Banff Town Councillor 2007 – 2010
Banff Town Councillor 2004 – 2007
CRPS School Trustee 1998 -2001
CRPS School Trustee 1997 – 1998
Civic Boards:
Bow Valley Regional Transit Comm.
Banff Lake Louise Tourism Board
Development Appeal Board
Municipal Planning Commission
Assessment Review Board
Bow Valley Regional Housing Board
Banff Housing Corporation
Banff Heritage Corporation
Banff Heritage Tourism Board
Calgary Regional Partnership Board
Volunteer:
Banff Daycare Board
Banff Elementary Parent Council
Banff Community High School Parent Council
Banff Rotary Club
34 years
I want to be fully engaged in enhancing and adapting Banff's foundation of social, economical and environmental strength where residents can thrive.
Platform:
Reach a 3-5% vacancy rate in rental housing
Build on transit/traffic solutions that have proved successful through data collected
Champion sustainable tourism
Advocate for the interests of Banff residents
It is important to see our housing and transit initiatives seen through to fruition, which will take a few more years. Great progress has been made but if we can get our rental vacancy rate to a healthy 3% and build on proven transit/traffic/parking solutions, specific goals of the Banff Community Plan will have been met. I also feel strongly about being Banff's mayor engaged in revisions of the Banff Park Management Plan, over the next three years. This is a document that will speak to advocating for the interests of Banff residents and our economy through sustainable tourism. This will take a mayor that has strong relationships with our federal partners and who has an understanding of what is at stake.
My personal traits are not as important as what we can all do together as residents of this special place.
However, what I hear from others are these traits are what make me a strong leader in my role as Mayor
Proven commitment to our community
Credible through experience and understanding of governance
Candid and honest communicator
Open minded and a willingness to try new ideas
Established relationships locally, regionally, provincially, federally
The quality of life for Banff residents is what is most important to me. I want every resident to have the
opportunity for social and economic health.
1) I remain committed to housing as a priority for a future Council and to assure Banff has a robust range of housing options so that every Banffite can find a place to call home. A shared approach to housing solutions with an understanding that appropriate housing is a benefit to our entire community.
2) It is important to me to continue to enhance proven solutions to encourage public transit use to reduce vehicular traffic and in doing so, improving traffic flow. Municipal support for the re-development of the Banff Train Station to increase parking availability for visitors and a re-development our train station area as a predominant entrance to Banff. Residential parking passes are also a tool to consider to assure our neighborhoods and residential streets are available to those that live there.
3) Building on programs that assist our residents with the challenges of affordability in Banff.
4) Support for diverse programming for children, young adults, seniors, families and our new residents who come to Banff for a personal experience and support our economy.
5) Economic prosperity is a crucial element of a successful community. Advocating for sustainable tourism keeps our residents employed, our schools full and our community thriving.
6) As a municipality within a national park we have an obligation to be a model environmental community.
Recycling programs, managing our organics to make and sell a soil product, regional transit, environmental incentives like our current solar panel program all help our community be that role model.
Ongoing support for these and new initiatives is important.
Banff is a passionate and vital community. Our residents have a wide range of opinions and a diversity of needs. As an elected official, in any decision, it is imperative to educate yourself on numerous viewpoints and then vote based on what you have learned from numerous sources.
Our community is unique in it's position in Canada and our issues are complex.
Being 1 of 7 people, formally setting direction for a community, is a big responsibility. For those elected, constructive and proactive public engagement is necessary and influential in setting that direction.
After the remarkable experience of being your Mayor these past two terms I have found it helpful to assess a decision in this way:
What is the cost vs. the value?
Is it the right thing to do?
Does it benefit the community as a whole?
Email: [email protected]
Blog: karensorensenformayor.ca
Facebook: Karen Sorensen for Banff Mayor
Phone: 403-763-8213
