Maybe, just maybe, things are incrementally improving, affordability-wise, in our otherwise expensive valley.
While both of our municipal governments have been working toward construction of affordable housing, to ensure something is actually created after years of discussion on the topic, the past week offers three glimpses of increases in affordability.
First, the Province announced a partnership with Banff Daycare and YWCA (front page) and funding that will see the Y’s Kay Watt training centre renovated to offer more child care at times needed by parents. The funding follows the provincial government’s commitment to $25 a day child care.
The announcement is rather a “two birds with one stone” scenario; where more child care space will be made available, and that space will be more affordable.
Then there is the provincial announcement of an expansion in the school nutrition program (page 12). The school program will also offer some measure of affordability, but it will be secondary to having healthier, more engaged students.
Finally, the Town of Canmore (page 28) has launched its Affordability Services Program, which allows citizens of lower income to take advantage of savings on municipal services (though others, like Pine Tree Players, are also offering savings through the program).
These three items may not result in staggering financial savings for our citizens, but addressing affordability in our valley, in any way, may be viewed as positive.
Canmore, in particular, is regularly touted as the most expensive place to live in Canada – could it be that the term “affordability” may take on a slightly more positive aspect in future?
In some circumstances, it would be nice to recognized as a nation-wide leader in something, a real pat on the back – but as the most expensive place to live ..?
What about the Province?
Are you, like Outlook staff and many, many other citizens in Canmore, including municipal officials, waiting patiently (or not) for word from provincial experts on the wildlife corridor situated in the Stewart Creek area?
We thought so.
Outlook staff has regularly contacted provincial officials in regard to the corridor – the last of its kind in this area – but has had little success in gaining any insight from a provincial government perspective.
Thing is, and it’s been pointed out many times, this is the last wildlife corridor to be designated for the area and there are many, many concerns with it.
Beyond the width, length and slope of it, there is the whole issue of people refusing, at this time, to recognize it as a corridor where our wildlife is to be able to travel freely, without human interference. Humans and their dogs, it would seem, trump wildlife security for many people.
Then there is the prospect of a fence. Typically, people don’t like to see fences go up (gated community for wildlife?), but beyond being a “hard edge” in the parlance of corridors, what will the cost be? And, being that Canmore taxpayers would be on the hook for repair and maintenance, eventually, what kind of costs might be entailed?
Then there is enforcement. Will the Province shell out to hire more wildlife managers to police a corridor and keep the above mentioned humans out?
… so many questions, so much waiting for the provincial take on them.
