Editor: I was so shocked and disheartened when I read Councillor Vi Sandford’s solution (in the May 9 edition) for those who are currently living in their vans, cars, etc. behind Save-On-Foods.
I disagree that “if you are working here you should be making enough money to live here.”
A living wage in Canmore is over $20/hour. Newcomers only make minimum wage ($15/hour).
Who washes the dishes that you eat upon when you go out for dinner? Who makes up the beds for the tourist to sleep on?
Canmore is the most expensive place in all of Alberta to live in. Does that mean that we just shut out those newcomers who come to these beautiful mountains?
Have you looked at the scarcity of affordable housing in town? Just look at the Outlook to see what is available.
When I moved to the Bow Valley 45 years ago, I was one of those who “waited for the stars to align.”
They did but not overnight, and I struggled to find appropriate housing and work.
Getting people “where they need to be” – sounds like that is anywhere but Canmore.
Your message is getting out there loud and clear. It was on the Internet last week. On Sunday it was on the national news. My sister phoned me from Winnipeg yesterday asking what was going on in Canmore.
So please rethink this approach. I applaud the town for hiring a seasonal social outreach worker. It is a positive step forward.
Marilyn Foxford,
Canmore
