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LETTER: When it comes to TSMV, council should take nuanced view

Editor: This letter is in response to Mr Wilkinson's simplistic arguments in support of the Three Sisters Mountain Village's plans.
vox-populi

Editor:

This letter is in response to Mr Wilkinson's simplistic arguments in support of the Three Sisters Mountain Village's plans.

Mr Wilkinson's first point on jobs suggests those making minimum wage in hospitality could "make some money" in the construction industry.

While there may be a few slightly above minimum wage positions during the TSMV construction, the majority will go to skilled individuals with experience and training in specific trades.

Additionally, this project is temporary, and once it is built, those jobs will dry up.

It is also suggested that there will be additional long-term jobs at gas stations and stores – again, more low paying jobs in a town that struggles to provide housing for individuals living on these wages.

The construction will certainly provide good jobs for a number of years, but let's not fool ourselves – it will not benefit many of the minimum wage workers already here.

Mr. Wilkinson also suggested that the development of TSMV will lesson traffic and parking issues in the core, but TSMV has said that the projected population of TSMV will be 14,500 (at 100 per cent occupancy including visitor accommodation units) – effectively doubling Canmore's population.

It is hard to imagine TSMV residents remaining confined to whatever amenities will be built there, and that visitors would rather be attracted there, rather than Canmore's downtown with it's array of shops and restaurants.

While I am neither against, nor in support of, the TSMV plans, I felt Mr. Wilkinson's letter required some rebuttal and perspective.

I do agree with him on one point – we are living in a wildlife corridor, and there are many who would like to enjoy living in this town (it is still considered a town Mr. Wilkinson).

This is a big decision, and potentially a big change to Canmore. Council needs to take a nuanced view on the TSMV plans, and carefully weigh the cons and pros.

William Sim,

Canmore

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