Editor:
The Town of Canmore and its citizens are missing the boat if we believe that forcing suites in the basements of Stewart Creek single family homes or perpetually affordable housing units in remote locations will address our affordable housing issues in any significant way.
It would be interesting to know how many of the original Three Sisters suites are being rented out and how many are simply family rec rooms and guest spaces.
We need to provide more affordable housing within the town core and sites such as the old daycare land are perfect locations. PAH or CCHC housing outside of the downtown core where there is no public transportation does not help service staff or young families who have limited funds and may not have a vehicle.
Housing needs to be in close proximity to jobs and amenities such as Teepee Town, where there have been suites and staff accommodation units for years, but unfortunately recently written current bylaws still do not allow them.
We need to put our heads together and find solutions before Canmore loses more of its young families, small businesses, and seniors.
All over the world there are beautiful little tourist towns like ours that have become ghost towns during the week because regular people cannot afford to live there. Let’s not make the same mistake.
It’s time we address this issue with the urgency it deserves rather than simply forcing developers in remote areas to take on the responsibility that we all should share.
Mari Ann Allan,
Canmore
