Editor:
It was disappointing seeing other Canmore community members act in a less than respectful manner at the Jan. 17 council hearing regarding the old daycare lands.
Speakers, often seeking the “Gotcha Moment,” were less than respectful in the way they addressed council and administration. The inference, by some, that council and/or administration are doing something illegal or inappropriate is without merit.
The unfortunate reality is that, despite some speaker’s assertions to the contrary, there is a real absence of Town of Canmore owned and controlled land that is suitable for affordable styles of housing.
We are all part of one community, and this community needs affordable housing. Those opposed to that use on the old daycare lands rarely acknowledge that need and when they, do only indirectly, as if direct acknowledgement may weaken their opposing position, or maybe they just don’t want PAH or similar uses in their back yard.
The continued absence of a wide variety of housing types including attainable, purpose built rental and PAH will begin affecting key critical community services like educators, doctors and police services and this continued overall broad product shortfall will increase the cost of all Canmore housing and seriously erode the quality of life in Canmore.
This issue cannot be ignored.
Brian D. Talbot,
Canmore
