Editor:
Our housing problem is something that we as residents know exists and we don’t have to look hard to see the consequences that it is having on the town.
I was born in Canmore and am fortunate enough to still call this town home. As I reach my late 20s, I see this demographic facing a hard reality of home ownership in Canmore. Young professionals and families moving to other towns are just one of the far too frequent examples of the negative impact that our high housing costs are having.
Affordable developments such as the Rivers Bend and the more recent Peaks of Grassi are opportunities that don’t emerge often for the first time homeowner or young family.
Recently the controversy surrounding the Peaks of Grassi has been disappointing to me. As a community we have the opportunity to see 25 affordable residences built to support the future of our town.
It seems that we talk about the housing problem until something actually needs to be done. We talk about the need for a resolution, but can’t stomach the actions required to make progress on the housing problem. I feel like this is another circa 2000s Canmore rabbit controversy all over again ... We know what needs to be done, but no one is prepared to stand against the outspoken few and support real solutions and action.
Effects on greenspace and wildlife, lack of parking, construction noise and so on are genuine concerns with developing the Peaks and they should be heard. However, if those suffering from the housing problems spoke as loud as NIMBY opposition, we would have a much different perspective on this development.
There is middle ground if both sides come to the table willing to find it. By flat out saying no, we are missing a rare opportunity to make some progress on the housing problem.
At the end of the day, we need to build houses people can afford.
Cary Bohnet,
Canmore
