💸 Banff's New Cost of Living

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Today is Remembrance Day, and if you'd like to attend a local ceremony, both Canmore and Banff have events happening this morning. In Canmore, a community service begins at 9:30 AM at Lawrence Grassi Middle School, followed by a parade to the Legion's war memorial for a moment of silence. In Banff, the parade starts outside the Banff Legion on Banff Avenue at 10:30 AM. It will make its way to Banff Elementary School for a memorial service before returning to the Legion around 11:45 AM, where wreaths will be laid to honour those who served. Note: If you're heading into Banff, check the road closures, which are expected to be in effect from approximately 10:15 AM to 11:45 AM.

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

BANFF'S FIRST LIVING WAGE STUDY REVEALS WHAT IT COSTS TO MAKE ENDS MEET. 

What’s Happening? For the first time, Banff has calculated how much workers need to earn to afford everyday life. The answer? $27.45 an hour, according to a new living wage study released by Healthy Bow Valley. That's $12.45 more than Alberta's $15 minimum wage, or an 83% increase.

So, Where Does The Money Go? Housing is one of the biggest expenses. The study estimates a single adult renting in Banff spends approximately $1,834 per month on shelter alone. But the calculation also factors in groceries, transportation, childcare and other basic necessities.

And not every household needs the same income. Here's how the numbers break down:

• Single adult: $24.29/hour

• Two-parent family with two children: $27.26/hour per working adult

• Lone parent with one child: $39.95/hour

The figures assume adults work 35 hours per week and rent their homes.

Why Does This Matter? Banff's high cost of living has long made it difficult for businesses to recruit and retain workers. Dr. Vamini Selvanandan, Healthy Bow Valley's physician lead, told Bow Valley Insider that income affects everything from housing and food security to physical and mental health.

For perspective, Canmore's living wage was calculated at $38.80 in 2023, while Jasper's reached $31.80 in 2025. However, the figures aren't directly comparable because they were calculated in different years.

Will Employers Have To Pay More? Not necessarily. Unlike minimum wage, a living wage is voluntary. Employers can use the new benchmark to review compensation, and certain benefits, including staff housing, meals and transportation, may count toward living wage certification.

Some businesses are already paying above the benchmark. Moraine Lake Bus Company founder Jesse Kitteridge recently shared that employees start at approximately $33 an hour, rising to around $43 with bonuses.

What's Next? Healthy Bow Valley hopes the findings will encourage employers to review wages and help local governments identify where housing, childcare and other affordability supports could make the biggest difference. For now, Banff has a clearer picture of what it costs to make ends meet, even if meeting that benchmark remains voluntary.

Read our full story

WINTER IS COMING. THAT LOOSE DECK BOARD ISN’T FIXING ITSELF.

You’ve stepped over it all summer. Maybe even warned a guest about it.

But add snow and ice, and that little repair gets harder to ignore.

Before winter settles in, Justin Marineau of Rhineau Construction has a few things worth checking around your home:

• Deck boards and stairs. Loose or damaged boards deserve attention before snow hides them and ice makes your footing less forgiving.

• Doors and windows. If one won’t close properly or you can feel a draft, now’s a good time to have it looked at.

• Exterior caulking. Check for cracks or gaps around doors and windows that could let cold air sneak inside.

None of this is particularly glamorous. But neither is spending January with a towel shoved against the bottom of your door.

And his work goes well beyond getting your home ready for winter. Justin handles everyday home repairs, furniture assembly, drywall patches, room painting, carpentry, trim work, door repairs, and more. If something needs fixing, building, assembling, or freshening up, he’s your guy.

He’s based in Canmore, licensed and insured, and handles the materials himself.

Send him a few photos and a description for a free estimate.

_{*Presented by Rhineau Construction.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏆 Canadian Films and Books Win Big at Banff Mountain Festival. The 51st annual Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival wrapped up Nov. 8, with Canadian productions winning three film awards and Canadian-published books taking two literary categories. Canmore climber Sarah Hueniken received the Summit of Excellence Award, while former Banff superintendent Kevin Van Tighem was shortlisted for his memoir Understory. The festival drew a record 610 film submissions from 59 countries. Missed it? Award-winning films will be available to stream Nov. 12-22. Catch up on all the winners.

• 💰 Bow Valley's New Wellness Centre Gets a Holiday Boost. A $1.9 million fundraising campaign is underway to bring more health services under one roof at Banff Mineral Springs Hospital. The new centre will feature seven consultation rooms, a treatment room, mental health and addiction support, visiting specialists, and programs for people living with dementia. Staff will also help residents find and access the care they need locally. As we previously reported, the Wim & Nancy Pauw Foundation donated $1 million. Now, it's matching new donations dollar for dollar, up to $50,000 this holiday season.

• 🏘️ Banff Is Considering Changes to Its Affordable Housing Program. Banff Housing Corporation is reviewing how its 161 homes sold below market value are priced when owners sell them. These homes were meant to help locals afford housing, but rising property values have pushed the average price to roughly $750,000. Proposed changes could help keep prices lower for future buyers, but may also affect how much existing homeowners can make when selling. With 627 people waiting to buy, there's plenty at stake. No decisions have been made, and public consultations are expected in early 2027. Read what's being considered.

• 🎖️ New Kananaskis Monument Will Honour Stoney Nakoda WWII Soldier. A memorial is being planned at Upper Kananaskis Lake for Joe Poucette, a soldier from Mînî Thnî who was killed fighting in France on Aug. 15, 1944. His nephew, Chief Clifford Poucette, is helping lead the effort alongside other Stoney Nakoda community members. The monument will feature a large stone and plaque honouring Joe's sacrifice. Family members gathered at the site Tuesday for a traditional pipe ceremony to bless the stone. The final design is still being developed, with Alberta Parks approvals underway.

Our Social Channels Got 5M+ Views in The Last 30 Days

A 30-second video might look simple. Behind it are hours of strategy, filming, and editing, with several BVI team members making it happen.

Our videos introduce people to local businesses, experiences, and stories they might otherwise miss. And for the businesses we feature, that exposure can translate into real customers and sales.

Want more people to discover your Bow Valley business? Let’s chat about your marketing.

KANANASKIS VOLUNTEERS PUT IN 11,676 HOURS OF TRAIL WORK IN RECORD-BREAKING SEASON 

What's Happening? If you've hiked or biked in Kananaskis this year, you might owe a volunteer a thank-you. Friends of Kananaskis Country just wrapped up its busiest season ever, logging 11,676 hours across 214 trail days. That's over 2,000 more hours than last year, all spent keeping your favourite trails in shape.

Mother Nature Kept Them Busy. A mild winter gave crews an early start clearing trees knocked down by late-2025 windstorms. But then summer flooding arrived, washing out trails and damaging creek crossings.

The roughly 90-kilometre High Rockies Trail was hit particularly hard, with some sections closed throughout the summer. The damage to most other trails wasn't as severe as initially feared.

"We were fortunate to learn that the damage wasn't nearly as bad as we thought it was going to be," executive director Trevor Julian told Bow Valley Insider.

Talk About Heavy Lifting. Fixing washouts wasn't exactly a walk in the park. Volunteers hauled rocks weighing up to 50 pounds to rebuild damaged crossings using a technique called rock armouring, which improves drainage and helps prevent future erosion.

"It is physical work and it's a great workout," Julian said. "But it's a great day with volunteers. I can tell you that. It's a lot of fun."

And those annoying braking bumps on mountain biking trails? Volunteers tackle those, too. Crews spent nearly every Thursday maintaining trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre, alongside work around Jumpingpound, Sibbald Lake and Mesa Butte.

The Numbers Are Pretty Impressive. The organization welcomed 73 new volunteers, completing 1,444 shifts. With 67 trails under its care, there's always more work waiting.

"We're never gonna run out of work," Julian said.

What's On The Trail Map For 2027? More improvements around Jumpingpound and the High Rockies Trail, discussions with Alberta Parks about a potential reroute of the Blue Rock Connector, and a $60,000 fundraising goal for the annual Trail Love campaign. Donations help pay for transportation, safety equipment, insurance and experienced staff to supervise volunteers.

Fancy Trading A Hike For A Trail Day? Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Friends of Kananaskis Country says you don't need experience or impressive rock-hauling muscles to help.

"There's room for everyone and there's all different kinds of jobs," Julian said.

"We'll give you the work gloves, we'll give you the safety glasses, just come out and join us, we'll have a great time."

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Half-Price Wine And $7 Beers Every Wednesday At The Grizzly Paw. The Canmore taproom has officially added wine to its lineup. Think half-price bottles of wine, $3 off glasses and $7 beers, all day long. Feeling hungry? From 3:00 PM-6:00 PM, Happy Hour food specials include pork belly bites, chicken wings, and the award-winning Truck Burger. Every Wednesday. The Grizzly Paw Taproom, Canmore. Prices vary.*

• Evening Mountain Bike Ride. Join fellow riders for an evening exploring Canmore's trails, followed by a well-earned pint at the brewery. This group ride is geared toward intermediate to advanced mountain bikers. It's a chance to discover a new trail and meet other riders. Make sure to bring a headlamp. Meet at 6 PM, with the group returning around 8 PM. Canmore Brewing Company. Free.*

Thursday

• Banff's Free Christmas Light Experience Starts. In Search of Christmas Spirit returns to the Cascade of Time Garden, transforming the grounds into a glowing winter wonderland. Follow an illuminated trail featuring larger-than-life wildlife sculptures, festive music and storytelling inspired by Banff National Park. Created with local Indigenous artist Jason Carter, the family-friendly experience takes about 30-45 minutes. Runs select evenings from Nov. 12 to Jan. 3, 4:30-9:30 PM. Admission is free, but advance tickets are required.

• Canmore Library Hosts Its Final Book Sale Of 2026. The Friends of the Canmore Library are hosting their final book sale of 2026, with thousands of hardcover and paperback books for all ages at bargain prices. Thursday's preview is for members only, with public shopping Friday through Sunday. Sunday brings a fill-a-bag deal for just $10. Canmore Public Library, Canmore.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 👨‍🚒 Free Talk Explores How Fireguards Affect Wildlife. Clearing trees to reduce wildfire risk could have an unexpected benefit: creating better habitat for wildlife. Join local ecologist Jonathan Farr for a free talk exploring how fireguards around Bow Valley communities could help restore mountain meadows that provide food for elk, bison and bighorn sheep. He'll also explain how researchers are tracking plant recovery and how locals can get involved. It’s happening on Monday, Nov. 23 at the Canmore Public Library from 7-8 PM. It’s free, but registration is required.*

• 💝 Shop Local, Eat Treats and Support Canmore's Hospital. The Canmore Hospital Ladies Auxiliary has raised over $1.1 million for hospital equipment and scholarships since 1978. This Saturday, Nov. 14, the volunteer group is hosting its 13th annual Christmas Fair at Origin at Spring Creek. Expect handmade gifts from local vendors, home-baked goodies and live music from Vi's Guys. It's a chance to get some Christmas shopping done while supporting local health care. Runs 10 AM–3 PM at 800 Spring Creek Dr. Admission is free.*

• 🤝 Last Call To Support Canmore’s High-Performance Biathletes. The Biathlon Alberta Training Centre’s annual fundraiser wraps up Friday, Nov. 13, with its banquet at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The team is trying to raise $15,000 to help cover expenses for the upcoming international racing season. Grab a banquet ticket, bid in the silent auction, or enter the 50/50. Competing internationally is expensive, and these athletes depend on community fundraising to make it possible. Let’s help send our local athletes onto the world stage.*

• 🏕️ Camping Season Isn't Over Yet in Kananaskis. Think camping season ends when the temperatures drop? Not quite. Several backcountry campgrounds in and around Kananaskis remain open into late November, including Aster Lake, Elbow Lake and Big Elbow, while Point Campground in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is listed as open year-round. But cold-weather camping takes extra preparation. Alberta Parks warns that drinking water, showers and flush toilets may not be available, and campers should check conditions before heading out. See the full list of extended-season campgrounds.

• 💊 Accessing Women’s Health Care in Banff. Some things don’t need a full clinic visit, but they still need to be dealt with quickly. Things like UTIs, birth control questions, or emergency contraception. That’s where pharmacists can step in. In Alberta, they can assess and prescribe for many common women’s health concerns, often on the spot. At Banff Value Drug Mart, owner and pharmacist Varun helps with this regularly, whether it’s something urgent or just getting the right plan in place. It’s a simpler way to handle something that often becomes more complicated than it needs to be.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Exshaw's Flood Recovery Efforts Are Moving Forward. Pigeon Creek is getting some much-needed attention following flooding in Exshaw. The MD of Bighorn is preparing to remove built-up sediment from a dry section of the creek to help restore its capacity to handle future high water levels. Once provincial approvals are in place, the work should take about a week. Crews will also investigate whether a buried pathway can be saved, while repairs to pedestrian bridges and replacement of missing benches along the South Exshaw Trail are in the works.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, November 11th, 10:00 PM: Open Mic Night. Location: Tommy's Neighbourhood Pub, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, November 12th, 8:00 PM: DJ Deon. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Hockey Player Stretchered Off Ice During NCAA Game. Canmore's Finn McLaughlin was taken off the ice on a stretcher Saturday, Nov. 7 after falling awkwardly into the boards less than two minutes into St. Cloud State's game against Nebraska-Omaha. The sophomore defenceman, who previously played for the University of Minnesota, did not return to the game. Reports suggest McLaughlin may have suffered a broken femur, although the team has yet to confirm the extent of his injuries. The Huskies went on to lose 5-3.

That’s all, folks!

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

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