🐻 3 Cubs Found

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’re starting today with a call to action. Our local dog rescue, Heart Mountain Rescue, runs just two fundraisers a year. One in summer and one now in winter. The winter one is a raffle with some great prizes, but here’s the problem: after chatting with Briana, the founder, she told me only ten people have bought tickets. They’re starting to freak out over there, but I told her it’s probably because people just haven’t heard about it yet. So, we’re helping spread the word. Every ticket goes directly toward life-saving essentials like food, medicine, and vet care. Tickets are ten bucks. That might not change your day much, but it could completely change a dog’s life. You can snag one here. Thank you!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

TOWN OF CANMORE ENDS ITS ONLY DROP-IN CHILDCARE PROGRAM

What’s Happening? Canmore is saying goodbye to its only municipal drop-in childcare service. The Town announced that the child-minding room at Elevation Place will close December 21 as part of budget cuts, saving roughly $50,000 a year. Officials say it’s about reallocating resources, but parents call it a gut punch to local families.

The Backstory. For over a decade, the program quietly filled a big gap in Canmore’s family infrastructure. Parents could drop off kids aged six months to seven years while they swam, climbed, or just took a rare moment to breathe. Use of the service fell 54% after the pandemic, and with staffing shortages, the Town decided it wasn’t worth keeping.

The Pushback. Parents like Olga Nikolenko and Erin Woodrow disagree. They say the service offered more than convenience; it was mental health support in a town where child care options are scarce and winters are long. “It helped me swim, visit the library, and gave me quiet time to work on my English,” said Nikolenko. Others called it “invaluable,” especially for families without relatives nearby.

The Numbers (and the Nerves). The $50,000 savings represent a tiny fraction of Canmore’s $99 million operating budget. Critics argue that’s too small a gain for the loss of something so impactful. Many also say they were blindsided, learning about the decision from staff rather than public consultation.

What’s Next? The child-minding room will reopen in February 2026 as a multi-purpose community space, hosting day camps and rentals. Town officials say families can explore other free and registered drop-in programs, but parents aren’t convinced. “There are no comparable alternatives,” said Woodrow.

More Details. Our full story looks at 10 years of childcare usage data and three local parents fighting to keep the service alive.

THIS WOMAN COULD MAKE A BROOM CLOSET LOOK SEXY

Let’s be honest, some spaces just don’t have it.

Too small. Too dark. Too weird.

And yet... hand it to Micheline Lambert, and suddenly that awkward corner you’ve ignored for years looks like it belongs in a magazine.

She’s the solo force behind F2 Floral Fashion, the Bow Valley’s best-kept design secret.

Micheline styles homes, patios, rentals, and storefronts with a mix of vintage finds, lifelike botanicals, sculptural planters, and dangerously good taste, no babysitting or maintenance required. 

Every project is custom. Every piece is intentional. And whether she’s zhuzhing a powder room or styling a luxury lodge, the end result is the same: Damn, that looks good.

So if your entryway, bathroom, or back deck is giving “before photo,” book a quick call.

No pressure. Just a Canmore-based design whisperer with ideas for days.

_{*Presented by F2 Floral Fashion.}

THE DIGEST

• 👍 58% of Locals Back the Fortress Mountain Resort Plan. Out of 452 responses, 58 percent supported a year-round Fortress, saying it would create jobs, reuse existing ski terrain, and ease crowding in Banff and Canmore. Others voiced concern about grizzly habitat, traffic, and looser environmental oversight. Many residents said they could support it only if strict environmental studies, worker housing, and sustainable design were guaranteed to protect Kananaskis’s natural character. See the full story and what your neighbours had to say. 

• 📝 Yoho Highway Petition Gets Official Response. Remember Field resident Alex Goatcher, who launched a petition to twin Highway 1 through Yoho? The petition followed a string of fatal crashes, including nine deaths in 2022. It was recently presented to the House of Commons, prompting an official government response. The letter acknowledged safety concerns, highlighted $361 million in past upgrades, and noted plans for future twinning, but no new funding commitment or timelines. Goatcher said he is hopeful the issue is now more on the government’s radar. 

• 🗻 Parks Canada and Armed Forces Prep for Avalanche Season. Each winter, Parks Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces bomb avalanches before they happen. From November 6 to 8, East Rogers in Glacier National Park will close for the annual “verification shoot,” a target practice session for the cannons that protect the Trans-Canada Highway. Crews will fire at 270 pre-mapped targets to confirm accuracy, because when storms hit and visibility drops to zero, precision is what keeps the highway open.

• 🚌 Banff September Traffic Up Slightly From 2024. Banff’s main entrances saw 706,000 vehicles in September, up nearly 2% from last year and 12% from 2019. But bridge crossings dropped 6%, showing that transit, intercept parking, and active travel are reshaping how people move around town. Roam Transit ridership jumped 14%, replacing an estimated 79,000 car trips. 

• 🖤 Canmore Man Remembered in MADD Campaign. Born and raised in Canmore, 36-year-old Cameron Jaeger was killed by a drunk driver in Montana last year while biking with friends, just months before his wedding. His parents, Sandy and Rod Jaeger, spoke in Calgary this week at the launch of MADD’s holiday Red Ribbon campaign, urging people to plan safe rides home. 

ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT TO GO VIRAL THIS CHRISTMAS

We mentioned on Monday that we had two spots for local businesses wanting Christmas video content this month.

Alberta’s Own in Canmore just grabbed one. They showcase some of the BEST local makers and artists, and it is a goldmine for Christmas gifts.

Which means we are now down to one spot.

Here is the deal. We will swing by your business, film three short videos, post them to our 37,000+ followers on Facebook and Instagram, add you as a collaborator so it also shows up on your feed, and send you the raw files to reuse however you like.

You will also get featured three times inside this email to 16,000+ neighbours.

Want the last spot? Fill out this quick form before Friday.

AFTER COCHRANE GRIZZLY MAULING, THREE CUBS DISCOVERED NEARBY

What’s Happening? Last week, we covered the story of a hunter who was mauled by a grizzly bear south of Cochrane. The man, in his 30s, was airlifted to Foothills Hospital after his hunting partner shot and killed the attacking sow. Another bear was seen fleeing the scene, prompting questions about whether cubs were involved. Sources tell us the hunter’s injuries, while serious, are not life threatening.

The Update. Alberta Fish and Wildlife has now confirmed that three grizzly cubs were found near the site of the attack. Officials say the cubs appear healthy, of good size and weight, and are likely already denning for winter. After consulting with biologists, the province decided to leave them in the wild to hibernate naturally rather than intervene.

Why It Matters? Grizzly cubs typically stay with their mother for up to three years, which raises concern about their ability to survive alone. Retired Fish and Wildlife officer John Clarke told CBC the cubs’ survival depends on factors like age, body fat, and what they learned from their mother. Still, he called the province’s assessment “encouraging.”

Worth Noting. Under Alberta’s Wildlife Act, orphaned grizzlies can’t be rehabilitated and released, unlike black bears. Options for managing them are limited to captivity, doing nothing, or euthanasia. So letting them hibernate on their own is the least invasive approach.

More Details. The victim has been identified as Jesse Sayer, a Carstairs Minor Hockey coach. A GoFundMe launched for his recovery is nearing its $45,000 goal, with roughly $39,000 raised in just a few days.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Building a Greener Future in the Bow Valley. The 3rd annual Building for Sustainability Symposium returns to Canmore. Connect with builders, designers, and innovators leading the charge in sustainable development. With expert speakers, hands-on workshops, and field trips, this event is all about sparking ideas for a more sustainable future across the Bow Valley. Ticket details.*

• Create an Art Journal. Get hands-on and creative in this fun one-night workshop where you’ll make your very own art journal from scratch. You’ll learn how to bind pages, collage your own cover, and leave with a beautiful handmade book ready to become a sketchbook, dream journal, or travel diary. 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $52 / members $44.20.*

Thursday

• Banff Film Fest Director Launches New Book. Joanna Croston is stepping into the spotlight with Mountaineering Women, a book celebrating 20 trailblazing female climbers from around the world. The event includes a Q&A with climbers featured in the book, including Hazel Findlay, Lynn Hill, Sarah Hueniken, and Sharon Wood. 12:30PM. Max Bell Auditorium, Banff Centre. $20.

• Tune Up at The HUB Bike Workshop. Got a bike that needs some love? Swing by The HUB Canmore. You can buy a refurbished ride, donate your old one, or wrench on your own bike with help from friendly volunteer mentors. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Rec Centre. $5 for HUB Members. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 A Christmas Comedy for the Whole Family. Skip the Hallmark reruns. This one’s live and way funnier. In Bob’s Your Elf, one of Santa’s least helpful helpers is sent to whip a small-town theatre troupe and their show-stealing choir into shape before their big Christmas performance. Expect flubbed lines, missed cues, laughter, and live carols that bring the magic of the season to life. Shows run Nov 19–23 and 27–29 at Canmore Miners’ Union Hall. Tickets sell fast. Get yours here.*

• 🎨 Canadian West Paintings by Toni. Local artist Toni creates original paintings that capture the spirit of the Canadian West. His work honours the land, heritage, and wildlife with striking realism and depth. Each piece tells a story and adds character to any space. You will not find this kind of art in décor stores. Explore or purchase Toni’s latest creations Here I am and Sacred Place. Or just contact him directly with questions.*

• 😂 Comedy Night in Banff. Head to the Rose and Crown in Banff and join Cackling Crow Comedy on Thursday, November 20th. Doors open at 7 PM, and the show kicks off at 8. Hosted by Scott Dumas, the lineup includes Sophie “The Chief Queef” Clark, Ben Bauce, and headliner Allyson June Smith.*

• 🏞 Kananaskis Trail Season Wrap-Up. Friends of Kananaskis Country and their incredible volunteers logged nearly 9,000 hours improving trails, supporting events, and caring for K-Country. Highlights include major maintenance on the High Rockies and Nordic Centre trails, re-establishing Montane Trail, youth volunteer programs, and collaborative projects with Alberta Parks. 

• ⚕️ Osteopathy Free Total Body Assessment. The Osteopathy For All clinic in Canmore is currently offering free checkup appointments, allowing patients to work out what is the root cause behind their symptoms, whether that may be back pain, neck pain, sciatica, headaches, etc. You are welcome to book a free assessment here.*

• 🎙️ Kevin Van Tighem on CBC Radio. Former Banff Superintendent, author, and conservationist Kevin Van Tighem joined Daybreak Alberta to discuss his new book Understory, a more personal, reflective look at his life, values, and decades of conservation work in the Rockies. Listen here. Or just read our interview with him. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Creekside Housing Proposal Moves to Public Hearing. A proposal to rezone 111 Three Sisters Drive for a new housing project is moving to a public hearing on December 2, 2025. Canmore Council has approved first reading for zoning changes that would allow five townhouse units and a four-unit employee housing building. Administration supports the proposal but opposes a clause that could exempt the developer from contributing to needed sidewalk and pathway upgrades, estimated at over $200,000. 

• Who Keeps MD of Bighorn Running? Council decides what’s important: services, budgets, and plans. Administration handles the details: fixing roads, managing water, and delivering programs. The MD even made an infographic to show how these teams work together and why it matters to residents.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, 6:00 PM: Open Mic Nights X Wld Hour Location: Wild Life Distillery, Canmore.  No Cover.

• Wednesday, November 5th, 2025, 7:30 PM: Kate Wyatt. Location: artsPlace, Canmore.  $30 / members $25.50 / youth $15.

• Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 10:00 PM: We All Need Winter X Rab Equipment Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. $20.

SPORTS

• Canada’s Top Biathletes Compete in Canmore for Olympic Spots. More than 55 of Canada’s best biathletes are racing this week at the Canmore Nordic Centre as national trials kick off the 2025 season. The five-day event, running November 4–8, will decide who earns a place on Canada’s World Cup, IBU Cup, and Junior teams leading into the Olympic year. The trials test endurance, precision, and composure on Canmore’s world-class range, with standout performances helping shape Canada’s roster for the 2026 Winter Games.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.