📈Boom! Canmore’s $9M New Tax

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Between the holiday markets, festive crafts, and indulgent brunches, this weekend is basically a Christmas Netflix movie waiting to happen—cue the twinkling lights, awkwardly charming encounters, and someone falling gracefully into a snowbank (hopefully not you).

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• The price is (almost) set for Canmore’s new vacancy tax

• Parks Canada planted a bunch of super seeds

• Banff & Canmore are trending on Google this winter

• An update on Bragg Creek’s trail network

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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THE PRICE OF STAYING EMPTY

What's happening? Canmore’s new vacancy tax could rake in up to $9 million annually, targeting second homeowners to fund community projects. Council is debating the tax rate, with 0.3% of property value as the current frontrunner.

Paying the price. The tax aims to support livability measures like affordable housing, rental incentives, and land acquisition. While some want higher rates for second homes, others caution against making it punitive. For context, Toronto’s vacancy tax is 1%, and Vancouver’s is 3%.

Admin costs and audits. The program requires $560,000 annually for staff and enforcement, including auditors to catch false declarations. Projections show the fund could grow to $30 million by 2028.

What’s next? Council will finalize rates by December, weighing potential projects like the 144-unit Palliser Lane rentals. Some members prefer a strategic, phased approach to spending, ensuring the tax truly makes Canmore more livable.

ALEX AND LORI’S PROPERTY OF THE WEEK! 2104-200 2^ND AVE

Unplug and kick back at Sparrowhawk Lodge - the perfect investment opportunity and weekend retreat! Away from the hustle of Canmore sink into the treed, tranquil setting while being just a short drive to Banff National Park and all your favorite ski hills.

Built by renowned Canmore builder Distinctive Homes, this property is one of the Bow Valley’s most sought-after vacation rentals offering incredible revenue potential!

Added Amenities:

• Purchasers here are exempt from the foreign buyer ban

• Year-round heated pool and hot tub

• Heated underground parking

• Additional storage for every unit

• Onsite coffee shop and liquor store

Whether you’re looking for an excellent short-term rental investment or serene getaway Sparrowhawk Lodge delivers. 

Contact Alex and Lori for more information.

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THE DIGEST

• 🌱Parks Canada planted 4,100 whitebark and limber pine seedlings across Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay this year, bringing the total to nearly 150,000 since 2024. These endangered five-needle pines are grown from rust-resistant seeds to combat fungus, beetles, climate change, and historic fire suppression. 

• ❄️Banff’s sister park, Mount Huangshan in China, just got its first snowfall, turning the iconic peaks into a stunning winter wonderland. Check out the snowy scenes that remind us why these partnerships celebrate natural beauty across the globe.

• 🙅‍♂️Some Kananaskis campgrounds won’t take reservations past April 1, 2025, as Alberta Parks finalizes agreements with new operators. Affected sites include Bow Valley and Peter Lougheed parks. Updates will follow once agreements are set. In case you didn’t know, private operators manage campgrounds under Alberta Parks’ guidelines, sharing some revenues with the province.

• ✈️Expedia’s winter travel report highlights Banff and Canmore as Alberta’s top-trending winter destinations, with a 104% surge in Canmore searches by American travellers (compared to last year), making it the second-highest trending Canadian spot. Banff isn’t far behind at fourth with a 60% increase.

• 🛡️In case you missed it, the G7 is coming to Kananaskis in 2025, and Calgary police are preparing to assist the RCMP with summit security. Calgary Police aims to balance protecting world leaders with maintaining city operations during events like the Calgary Stampede, with federal funding covering additional security costs.

A FORK IN THE TRAIL

What's happening? Bragg Creek’s popular trail network is at risk as logging plans by West Fraser Cochrane spark a clash between recreation advocates and supporters of Alberta’s forestry industry. Logging is set to start in 2026.

Trail lovers push back. Advocacy groups like GROW fear the 556-hectare harvest will disrupt 300 km of trails built with volunteer time and public funds. A petition to stop the logging has gathered nearly 20,000 signatures.

A middle ground? Some trail users see potential benefits, noting that past logging projects improved infrastructure and created fire barriers. Collaboration could soften the impact.

Outdoor rec overlooked. Alberta lags in prioritizing recreation, with few new trails added in Kananaskis since 1977. A 2021 report called its approach “reactive.”

Juggling priorities. The government must balance promises to logging companies, recreationists, and conservationists in a region critical for tourism, community use, and freshwater resources.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Learn to Knit. Teens grades 6-12 are invited to this workshop to learn how to make their own presents for the holidays! 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM. Banff Library, Banff. Free.

• Free Family Movie. Head down to ArtsPlace with the kids for Butterfly Tale! 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM. ArtsPlace. Free. 

• Christmas Market Eclipse. Stop by for some holiday cheer and Christmas shopping at the Christmas Market. 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Eclipse on Railway Ave. $2 Entry Fee.

• Crowning of the Tree. Join the citizens of Malcolm’s castle to kick off the Canmore holiday season with a tree-lighting ceremony of royal prestige. 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Malcolm, Canmore. Free to attend.

• B-I-N-G-O! Friday is Bingo Night at the Canmore Legion. Bring extra cash for those pull tabs and tips for the hardworking staff. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. Canmore Legion, Canmore.

• Old-Time Square Dance Caller's Workshop.A handful of new callers are going to be trying out their skills. We need dancers, and you get to have some fun. 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM. St. Michael’s, Canmore. Families welcome $10 at the door.

Saturday

• Caregiver Dementia Workshop. Learn positive approaches to dementia care for family members. Email [email protected] to register. 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Origin in Spring Creek, Canmore. $15, lunch is included.

• Mountain Made Holiday Market. Enjoy a magical experience featuring over 40 talented local artisans, delicious food, treats, live music, and a chance to win a giveaway basket from the artists. 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre, Canmore. Free to attend. 

• Tree Spree. Paint some holiday nostalgia, a light-up tree or a truck with a tree! Give it as a gift, or keep it for yourself. Hosted by Crock a Doodle. 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM. Bow Valley Garden Centre, Canmore. Trees and trucks are $95 (+ tax.) Gnome trees are $5 more, with the difference to be paid on the event day. 

Sunday

• Banff Craft Fair. Support the Santa's Anonymous program by shopping at the craft fair where you can find affordable, unique holiday gifts from local artisans—all while enjoying community activities like curling and skating! 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Free to attend.

• Sunday Brunch. Introducing Sunday Brunch at Silvertip. 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Rustica. $39 per person / Kids are Half Price.

• Menopause Movie and Panel. The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause confronts the neglected menopause crisis, challenging societal and medical shortcomings and advocating for a revolutionary approach to women's health. 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. ArtsPlace, Canmore. Free.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎄Christmas Tree Sale. Trees are now on sale at Banff Scout Guide Hall on Lynx Street. Trees are Douglas Fir from the Columbia Valley, BC. Sizes range from 3 ft to 12ft and prices range from $20 to $80. CASH ONLY.

• 🙋Volunteer Call! Each year, the Town of Canmore hosts events and activities on New Year's Eve thanks to the help of a dedicated crew of volunteers. 

• 🏆Mixed Doubles Championship is next week: December 5-8th. The schedule will be on the club's website and Facebook page, and many TV Olympians will be playing.  Come and cheer them on!

•  🎿Community Ski Days. Ski Big 3 next weekend during community ski days. Open to all residents in the communities of Banff, Lake Louise, Canmore, Mînî Thnî, Lac Des Arc, Deadman Flats, Exshaw, Harvie Heights, Field and Kananaskis. All proceeds will be donated to the Jasper Caring Community Fund.

• 🐈Bow Valley SPCA Wish List. If you’re shopping online this year, maybe tuck some treats into a dog or cat’s stocking. 

• 🛍️Holiday Hampers. Applications are open for Defending Awesome’s Holiday Hampers! If you need extra help this holiday season, visit their website to apply. 

• 📣Wellness Resort Open House. The project team is hosting an open house at the Bill Warren Training Centre on December 5 between 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM to share an update on the future resort.

• 🥌Curling Clinic. Looking to improve your sweeping and delivery out on the curling ice and want to learn more about your technique? Register for this 2-day curling clinic in Canmore! $120.00 per person. To register, call the office at 403-678-5959 ext. 236. 

• 💝Double Your Donation. The first $20,000 in donations received by December 31 will be evenly matched through the generosity of the Palliative and Grief Society of the Bow Valley board! $50 becomes $100.

CIVIC NEWS

• The Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission has hired Elevated HR Solutions Inc. to conduct a board self-assessment to identify areas for improvement and strengthen governance. This assessment is to provide insight into current practices, strategic alignment, roles and responsibilities, decision-making, and overall board dynamics to enhance the effectiveness of the board for both current and future members. 

• Cochrane, Diamond Valley, and the MD of Bighorn seek a $200,000 grant to enhance emergency preparedness by incorporating the new Alberta Incident Management System (AIMS) and promoting regional collaboration. Diamond Valley will handle administration, while Cochrane and MD of Bighorn will focus on planning, resource sharing, and training.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 29th, 7:00 PM: Mo’s in the Bow 80’s Party. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Friday, November 29th, 9:00 PM: Digital Hobo. Location: Tavern 1883. No Cover. 

• Friday, November 29th, 10:00 PM: The Blue Mules. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $5 Cover. 

• Saturday, November 30th, 6:00 PM: Mari Rosehill. Location: Rimrock Larkspur Lounge, Banff. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 30th, 7:30  PM: Blue Dawn Quartet.  Location: ArtsPlace, Canmore. $35 / members $29.75 / youth $17.50.

• Saturday November 30th, 9:00 PM:  Andy Loops. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 30th, 10:00 PM: The Blue Mules. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $5 Cover. 

• Sunday, December 1st, 2:00 PM: Tis the Season - Valley Winds Music Association Winter Concert. Location: Edinburgh Ballroom (Malcolm), Canmore. $35 at the door.

SPORTS

• Stretch your ski season without stretching your wallet! From discounted lift tickets to affordable multi-mountain options, there are plenty of ways to hit the slopes while saving money. Planning ahead is key—many deals disappear after Christmas. Learn how to make the most of your ski season here. 

• Mark your calendars for Blue & White Night on December 6 at the Canmore Legion! Enjoy food, drinks, auctions, and a DJ while supporting the Canmore Eagles Junior Hockey Club. Doors open at 6:30 PM.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, same time, same place!