8 in 10 Job Applicants Ask About Housing, Bow Valley Employer Says It’s Limiting Hiring

Employers in the Bow Valley are ramping up hiring ahead of the summer tourism season, but say a tighter labour pool and rising housing costs are making it increasingly difficult to fill positions.

The hiring push comes as the Job Resource Centre finished their annual spring job fairs last week, which connect workers with employers in Banff and Canmore ahead of the summer tourism season.

More than 400 job seekers attended hiring fairs in Banff and Canmore this spring, a turnout consistent with last year, according to Katie Dolson with the Job Resource Centre.

At one Canmore-based employer, demand for staff is already higher than last year.

“We currently have 43 active job postings, which is higher than this time last year,” a representative from Basecamp Resorts said, attributing the increase largely to expansion, including the opening of the Everwild Canmore Nordic Spa & Hotel and additional hiring across departments such as housekeeping, food service and corporate roles.

The increase in job postings reflects a broader trend across the region. A fall 2025 labour market review from the Job Resource Centre found postings in the Bow Valley rose 12% between May and October compared with the previous year, even as the available workforce tightened amid high housing costs and fewer international workers available to employers following changes to federal temporary foreign worker programs.

Dolson said housing and cost-of-living concerns remain the primary issues raised by both job seekers and employers.

“We are seeing a continued focus on competitive wages and flexible scheduling as key recruitment and retention tools for the summer season,” she said.

Employers say hiring remains challenging, with converting applicants into long-term staff an ongoing issue.

Basecamp Resorts said it does not track applicant nationality and could not determine what proportion of applicants are Canadian or how conversion rates compare, but noted fewer applications this year.

“We have seen fewer applications coming through across the board, which has limited the pool of skilled candidates available for our hiring managers to choose from,” the company said.

The company also remains partly reliant on temporary workers to maintain operations.

“Approximately 34% of our current workforce is on temporary working arrangements,” the company said, adding those workers support a range of departments across its properties.

Housing continues to be one of the most significant barriers to hiring and retention, according to employers.

“Housing availability has a significant impact on our ability to recruit and retain staff,” Basecamp said. “Approximately 8 out of 10 applicants inquire about staff accommodation, and for most, it is a deciding factor.”

The company said it assesses accommodation needs early in the hiring process, meaning it is uncommon for candidates to formally decline offers due to housing.

The Job Resource Centre’s labour market review similarly identified housing availability and affordability as the largest barrier to recruitment and retention in the region, while also noting challenges in maintaining staff throughout the tourism season.

Dolson said many employers have adjusted their hiring strategies in response, with some beginning recruitment as early as January to prepare for the summer season.

“Employers who engage early and offer clear housing solutions are seeing success,” she said.

Employers say housing constraints are limiting who can realistically take jobs in the region, even when positions are available, with many applicants considering staff accommodation essential when deciding whether to accept a role.

The labour market review found rental prices in the Bow Valley remain high, with one-bedroom units exceeding $2,000 per month and larger units significantly higher, putting pressure on both workers and employers.