🐻 14 Grizzlies Killed

Good morning, Bow Valley!

How's everyone feeling about waiting until nearly 8:40 AM for the sun to come up? As of yesterday, Alberta has officially switched to permanent Alberta Time (ABT), meaning we won't be turning our clocks back this fall or changing them again in the spring. At least we can look forward to brighter after-work walks and hikes!

-Ben S., Cassandra Stefanic, Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

14 GRIZZLIES KILLED UNDER ALBERTA RESPONDER PROGRAM, BOW VALLEY MLA RAISES CONCERNS

What’s Happening? Fourteen grizzly bears have been killed under Alberta’s civilian wildlife responder program since 2024, according to figures obtained by Bow Valley Insider. Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi is questioning the use of civilian hunters and calling for greater transparency around the program.

Wait, Civilians Can Kill Grizzlies? Yes, under certain conditions. Alberta introduced the program in 2024, allowing eligible hunters to be authorized to kill grizzlies involved in conflicts with people or property, a job traditionally handled by trained Fish and Wildlife officers.

Applicants must be Alberta residents, at least 18 years old and eligible to hold hunting licences. They're selected randomly, then placed on a priority list to be contacted when needed.

The province says the program speeds up wildlife conflict responses and frees officers for other duties. Responders operate under an officer's direction, and decisions to kill bears still require approval from wildlife officials.

Who's Making Sure It's The Right Bear? Elmeligi worries civilian responders may lack the specialized training needed to safely identify and kill the correct bear.

“Bringing somebody in from the public to conduct that activity, we run the risk of shooting or killing the wrong bear,” she told Bow Valley Insider.

The province says responders must have required firearms training, but its published application requirements don't specify bear-specific training.

There are safeguards. Civilians cannot remove bears that have attacked people or shown predatory behaviour, and authorizations are generally intended for areas outside designated grizzly recovery zones.

What Does Alberta Say? The province maintains that grizzly recovery remains its priority and says the expected outcome is identical whether an officer or civilian carries out an authorized removal.

Elmeligi disagrees with involving civilian hunters and wants the program scrapped in favour of stronger conflict prevention measures, including securing food and garbage.

What About The Bow Valley? That's still unclear. The province hasn't disclosed where the 14 bears were killed, why each was selected or how many removals occurred in 2026.

It also hasn't confirmed whether any occurred in Banff or Kananaskis, or whether DNA testing routinely verifies that responders killed the correct animal.

For Elmeligi, those unanswered questions are another reason to demand greater transparency.

Read our full story

LAST CHANCE. ALBERTA'S OWN CLOSES NOV. 15.

The countdown is on. After nine years on Canmore's Main Street, Alberta's Own Marketplace is closing Nov. 15, or sooner if inventory sells out. And with just days left, the discounts are getting bigger.

The community response has been incredible, but shelves are starting to empty. Several Heartprint blanket styles, walnut mountain crib boards, Stumpcraft puzzles, and popular self-care and home fragrance products have already sold out. Pottery is also running low.

Here's what's on sale now:

• Buy one, get one 50% off: MTNPK Glassware, Wonderland Jewelry, and select art prints and stickers from local artists..

• Buy one, get one 75% off: Alberta's Own exclusive camp mug candles.

• Buy one, get one 35% off: Self-care favourites from Beauty from Bees, Routine, Jack59, Jennifer Joan Skincare, Tanglewood Farm, and Lamb's Soapworks.

• Buy one, get one 35% off: Stocking stuffers from Stumpcraft, Our Little Makery, Friday Socks, and more.

• 20% off: Heartprint Threads blankets.

• 10-20% off: All one-of-a-kind items.

Here's the catch: Discounts might get even better, but the selection will only get smaller. Sold-out items aren't being restocked, so waiting for a bigger deal could mean missing out entirely.

The Alberta's Own team is incredibly grateful for the community's support. If you've been meaning to stop in, now's the time.

📍 105-826 8 Street, Canmore (Google Maps)

_{*Presented by Alberta’s Own.}

THE DIGEST

• 🛤️ Canmore's Legacy Trail Extension Is Still Waiting After 11 Years. First proposed in 2015, a pathway connecting Cougar Creek to Three Sisters remains on the wish list, with no funding or construction timeline in sight. Residents are renewing calls for the extension, saying it would make walking and cycling between neighbourhoods safer and easier. But there's a catch: the project still needs a route, funding, provincial approval and a review of potential wildlife impacts. Canmore is now considering the connection as part of its updated transportation plan, with more public feedback to come. Read our full story.

• 🚔 Banff and Jasper Expected to Lose Park Wardens Amid Federal Cuts. Both national parks are expected to lose one warden as Parks Canada moves toward a regional enforcement model. At least 13 warden detachments are also set to close nationwide, raising concerns about response times and officer safety in remote areas. The changes come as part of broader federal spending cuts that have already placed 536 positions across Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Yoho and Kootenay under review. Parks Canada says enforcement services will continue across all locations.

• ⛷️ Lake Louise Celebrates Its Second-Earliest Ski Season Opening. Lake Louise opened yesterday (Nov. 1), five days earlier than planned and its earliest start in five years. Cold October temperatures and around-the-clock snowmaking helped get the slopes ready, although terrain is currently limited to Easy Street and two small terrain parks. The good news? Opening-day lift tickets were discounted by more than 60%. Opening-day footage shows some hard-packed, crusty-looking snow, but skiers and snowboarders still appear to be having a blast. Banff Sunshine and Mt. Norquay are next up on Nov. 6, followed by Nakiska on Nov. 7.

• ⚖️ Two Calgarians Fined $1,100 for Illegal Camping Near Two Jack Lake. Breaking park rules can come with a hefty price tag. After BVI recently reported on graffiti near Lake Louise, two 20-year-old men have been fined for camping near Banff's environmentally sensitive Fairholme area. According to court proceedings, the pair moved boulders, ignored no-entry signs and set up camp in July. The men told the court they'd found the camping location on Reddit rather than Parks Canada's website and didn't realize they were inside park boundaries. Parks Canada reminds visitors that backcountry camping is restricted to designated areas and requires a permit.

You Probably Should’ve Reached Out Already

Not trying to be dramatic… but most of our partners book months in advance.

Nov? 1 spot remaining
Dec? 3 spots remaining
Jan? Filling fast

We only have so much space each month.

So if your competitor gets here first…

➡️ Fill out the form before they do

NEW IMMIGRATION RULES COULD HELP BOW VALLEY EMPLOYERS RETAIN SKILLED WORKERS

What’s Happening? New federal immigration rules taking effect Nov. 3 could make it easier for some skilled foreign workers to qualify for permanent residence, potentially helping Bow Valley employers retain staff in industries such as health care, construction and hospitality.

So What's Changing? Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is introducing additional Express Entry points for eligible workers in more than 180 designated high-wage occupations, including accommodation managers, construction managers, nurses and family doctors.

Express Entry is Canada's system for ranking eligible immigration candidates. The higher someone's score, the better their chances of being invited to apply for permanent residence, although an invitation isn't guaranteed.

Under the new rules, qualifying Canadian work experience can earn an additional 20, 40, or 70 points. Eligible job offers can also earn points, but workers can't combine the two scoring options.

Why Does This Matter Locally? Bow Valley employers continue to face hiring challenges. Between November 2025 and April 2026, the Job Resource Centre, a local organization that connects job seekers with employers in Banff and Canmore, recorded 1,822 job orders from 305 local employers, up 58% from the previous year.

Canmore-based hospitality and development company Spring Creek has raised concerns about immigration uncertainty affecting staff retention, calling for more stable, long-term staffing solutions.

The new rules could help employers retain eligible workers, although it's unclear how many Bow Valley employees will benefit.

Less Paperwork For Employers? Previously, employers supporting certain permanent residence applications had to obtain a federal assessment showing that hiring a foreign worker wouldn't negatively affect Canada's job market.

Under the new rules, that assessment will no longer be required for qualifying job offers through Express Entry. Instead, immigration officials will check whether the job offer is legitimate and meets program requirements.

That could mean one less administrative hurdle for Bow Valley businesses trying to retain skilled employees. However, employers hiring through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will still need the assessment where required.

What Happens Next? Existing Express Entry profiles will be recalculated starting Nov. 3, a process that could take up to two weeks. Invitation rounds will be paused during that period.

Workers seeking points for eligible job offers are being asked to update their profiles before the new rules take effect.

Read our full story.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Karaoke At The Drake. The Drake’s weekly karaoke night is back. Pick the song you know by heart, attempt something wildly ambitious, or grab some pizza and watch everyone else take their turn at the mic. 10:00 PM. The Drake Screaming Retriever, Canmore. Free.*

Tuesday

• Canada's Top Biathletes Compete In Canmore This Week. Biathlon Canada is hosting its World Cup and IBU Cup selection trials at the Canmore Nordic Centre, with athletes competing for spots on Canada's international racing teams. Official training kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 3, followed by sprint races on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, with racing starting at 10 AM each day. 

WHAT IF YOUR HEADACHES AND NECK PAIN ARE ACTUALLY COMING FROM YOUR EYES?

You’ve tried physio. Massage. Changing your pillow. Adjusting your desk setup. Yet those headaches or that nagging neck and shoulder pain keep coming back.

Here’s one possibility you may not have considered: your eyes.

When your eyes aren’t perfectly aligned, they have to work harder to function together. For some people, that extra effort can contribute to symptoms like headaches, neck and shoulder pain, eye strain, fatigue, light sensitivity and motion sickness.

Canmore Family Eyecare now has a brand new device that measures eye alignment and helps determine whether you could be a candidate for Neurolens, specialized glasses that use contoured prism lenses to help your eyes work together more comfortably.

And finding out is surprisingly easy.

Start with a questionnaire that takes about 30 seconds. The in-office screening takes roughly three minutes and is complimentary.

Canmore Family Eyecare is currently the only clinic in the Bow Valley with a Neurolens screening device.

If you’ve been chasing the source of persistent headaches, neck pain or eye strain, your eyes might be worth investigating.

Book your free 15-min phone consultation to discuss your symptoms.

_{*Presented by Canmore Family Eyecare.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏠 Canmore's Emergency Winter Shelter Is Back Open. With colder nights settling into the Bow Valley, the Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley has reopened its overnight shelter at Scout Hall (914 8 Street). The shelter provides a warm place to sleep, bedding, hot meals, and refreshments for people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. It's open nightly from 9:30 PM to 9 AM, with check-in between 9:30 and 11:30 PM. Space is limited to 10 guests per night, on a first-come, first-served basis.

• 🍙 Take Your Christmas Party Underground For 30% Off. Canmore Cave Tours is offering groups of eight or more discounted adventures in Rat’s Nest Cave beneath Grotto Mountain. Think climbing, crawling and exploring natural passages with a guide. Along the way, you’ll pass prehistoric bones and ancient cave formations, with optional tight squeezes for anyone feeling adventurous. We’ve done it, and it’s something every local should experience once. Calgary crews, bring your team too. The cave stays around 5°C year-round, so winter doesn’t shut down the adventure. Valid Monday-Friday, Nov. 15-Dec. 15. Booking instructions here.*

• 🎃 Your Halloween Pumpkins Could Feed Canmore's Sled Dogs. We know Halloween's over, but don't toss those pumpkins just yet! Snowy Owl Sled Dog Tours is collecting leftover pumpkins for its pack of sled dogs, who apparently love the seasonal snack. Pumpkins are also packed with nutrients that can support canine digestion and overall health. Donations can be dropped off until Nov. 5, from 9 AM-5 PM, at the Snowy Owl office (109-829 10th St.) in downtown Canmore.

• 🍽️ The Juniper Bistro Unveils New Winter Menus. If you haven't visited The Juniper lately, Chef Sergio has some new dishes worth checking out. For brunch, think churro French toast with mascarpone and chèvre foam, or slow-braised bison short rib bennies. Dinner brings bison chorizo pasta, crispy Alberta pork belly, and mushroom soup baked under a puff pastry crust. There's also a $60 three-course tasting menu, all served some of the mountain views in Banff. A handy new website feature lets you filter dishes by dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free options. Explore the new menus.*

• 🚌 Roam Transit Schedules May Be Incorrect on Google Maps. A heads-up for anyone catching the bus: Roam says its schedules are currently displaying incorrect times on Google Maps and the Transit App due to Alberta's new time system. Until the issue is resolved, riders should check the official Roam Transit website for accurate departure times.

• 🌳 Can Wildfire Prevention Help Bow Valley Wildlife? We usually think of clearing trees and vegetation as a way to protect communities from wildfires. But could that same work also benefit wildlife? On Nov. 23, The Biosphere Institute is hosting local ecologist Jonathan Farr, who studies bison in Banff National Park, to explain how wildfire prevention projects could help restore mountain meadows where elk, bighorn sheep and other animals feed. He'll also share how locals can help track plant recovery. Free or by donation. Register here.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Big Changes Are Coming To Banff's Wolf Street. Wider sidewalks, better crosswalks, new patios, and more seating could all be part of Wolf Street's planned 2028 makeover. The Town is preparing to rebuild the stretch between Bear Street and Banff Avenue, replacing water and drainage infrastructure that's more than 50 years old. But what should the street actually look like? Residents can help shape the plans at a Nov. 2 drop-in session (4-7 PM, Town Hall) or through an online survey open Nov. 2-20.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, November 2nd, 9:00 PM: Open Mic Night. Location: Beaver Bar, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, November 3rd, 9:00 PM: Bands as Bands. Location: Pump and Tap, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Deliver Halloween Treat With 6-1 Win. The Eagles gave hometown fans plenty to cheer about Saturday, cruising to a 6-1 victory over the Devon Xtreme. The win capped off their seven-game homestand and offered some redemption after a 5-4 loss to Devon earlier in October. Next up, the Eagles hit the road to face the Olds Grizzlys on Wednesday. 

That’s all, folks!

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

Heads Up: We sometimes feature paid promotion from local businesses and organizations we trust. When you see a little asterisk (*), that means it’s a sponsored post. We only work with partners we think our readers will actually care about.