⛺ Campers Charged

Good morning, Bow Valley!

On Monday, we asked where you stand on Banff’s visitor crunch, and your answers hint at what could decide October’s election. In our poll of 210 people, 51% want candidates tackling crowding, 8% side with business growth, and 41% are looking for balance in the middle. The comments painted a clear picture: some locals say Banff has already hit its limits, with trails, roads, and infrastructure overwhelmed, while others argue tourism is the town’s backbone. And so the dance continues, economy on one side, elbow room on the other.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

WAGES VS REALITY IN THE BOW VALLEY

What’s Happening? Banff and Canmore no longer take part in Alberta’s annual “living wage” survey, which calculates how much you need to earn per hour to cover basics like rent, groceries, and childcare. Without that figure, employers say it’s harder to set fair wages in a valley where many people juggle two or three jobs just to get by.

The Missing Number. In 2023, Canmore topped the province with a living wage of $38.80/hour. That was the last year the town participated. In the 2024 report, Canmore disappeared entirely, leaving Jasper with Alberta’s highest reported rate at $31.40/hour. Banff has never taken part. Without those numbers, local employers are left guessing or borrowing from other towns to set a wage floor.

Banff’s Alternative. Instead of the survey, Banff leans on its Community Social Assessment (CSA), published every five years. The latest shows Banff has the lowest median incomes among comparable resort towns ($40,950 individual; $99,750 family) and ranks fourth in Canada for housing unaffordability, behind only Vancouver, Toronto, and Whistler.

Beyond Wages. Residents describe the toll of the gap between pay and costs: shortened parental leaves, reliance on food programs, mental health strain, and the constant stress of living paycheck-to-paycheck. Employers who voluntarily pay a living wage say it boosts retention and strengthens community ties. Meanwhile, municipal programs like Banff’s Access Program and Canmore’s Affordable Services Program aim to cushion the blow with subsidies and discounts.

The Bottom Line. Banff officials argue the CSA provides a more holistic view than a single wage number. But whether you call it a “living wage” or a “median income gap,” the reality is the same: in the Bow Valley, wages are still lagging behind the cost of living.

THE CAN’T-MISS NIGHT OF PRIDE

Every year, Banff Pride has its highlights, but ask anyone and they’ll tell you the same thing: The Miss Ellen Q Show is the festival’s crown jewel. On Saturday, October 11, Banff’s original diva returns to Melissa’s Missteak for a night that blends sass, sequins, and just the right amount of chaos.

Ellen is bringing the heat with The Pumas, her troupe of Banff legends known for their fierce stage presence and brand-new, never-seen-before performances. Add to that Vivian Vanderpuss, the breakout star from Season 3 of Canada’s Drag Race, and you have a lineup built to deliver laughs, glamour, and jaw-dropping talent.

The night begins with a Meet & Greet at 8:30 PM, followed by the main event at 9:30 sharp. Dress to impress if you want a shot at making Ellen’s coveted Best Dressed List, a festival tradition as entertaining as the show itself.

This is Banff Pride’s most in-demand ticket, and it sells out quickly every year. Grab yours now or visit banffpride.ca for all festival details.

_{*Presented by Banff Pride.}

THE DIGEST

• 🍰 Banff’s Newest Dessert Spot. Since 2014, D Spot has been redefining desserts with over-the-top creations, homemade ice creams, Belgian chocolate, and cakes made from scratch. With 13 locations across Alberta, they’ve just opened a new spot in Banff. It’s in the same building as Banff Ave Brewing on Main Street. Perfect for when you want more options than a BeaverTail. Check the full menu.

• 🐿️ Squirrel Pulls Off Snack Heist. A viral TikTok with 2.2M views shows a ground squirrel swiping a full snack bar from a visitor’s hand in Banff. It’s a funny clip (watch here), but also a reminder: feeding wildlife, even unintentionally, teaches animals to seek food from people and can create bigger problems for coexistence in the park.

• 🗣️ Mayor Corrie DiManno Talks Banff’s Future. Our friends at the Overheard Podcast sat down with Banff mayor Corrie DiManno to cover wildfire prep, housing pressures, traffic woes, tourism, and what the next municipal election could look like. It’s a wide-ranging, candid chat that’s well worth a listen. You can tune in here.

• 🛣️ Calls Grow for Safer Yoho Highway. The final 40 km of two-lane Trans-Canada through Yoho has seen nine fatalities since 2022 and dozens of serious crashes. Banff’s stretch was twinned decades ago, cutting collisions dramatically, but Yoho’s project has sat unfunded since 2021. Locals and conservation groups say twinning and wildlife crossings cannot wait much longer.

• 🚍 Banff Breaks Summer Traffic Record. Nearly 1.76M vehicles entered Banff in July and August, up 47,000 from last year (we know, try to act surprised). With Calgary adding 100,000 new residents last year, more day-trippers are flooding west. Roam Transit hit a record 535,000 riders, showing buses are key to easing Banff’s gridlock.

Step Into the Marketing Ring…

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TWO JACK CAMPERS CHARGED AFTER WOLF GETS INTO FOOD

What’s Happening? On Monday, we told you about a wolf raiding food left out at Two Jack Lakeside campground. Parks Canada has now confirmed the campers responsible have been charged under the Canada National Parks Act. 

Why It Matters. These charges are not minor. They require a court appearance and can carry fines of up to $25,000. In practice, penalties are usually smaller, though. In 2017, a Calgarian was fined $400 for feeding bighorn sheep chocolate bars on Norquay Road. And just last year, a woman in Banff was fined $300 after leaving a half-eaten burger unattended at Tunnel Mountain campground.

The Ongoing Risk. It’s not just about one careless meal. When wolves (or bears) get human food, they can quickly lose their natural wariness and start approaching people. In past cases, that’s led to wolves being euthanized. Banffites know this all too well from 2016, when two Bow Valley pack females, including the alpha, were killed after becoming food-conditioned.

Public Reaction. Locals aren’t mincing words. Comments on social media called for stiffer fines, bans from the parks, and even public posting of offenders’ names, arguing that education efforts haven’t been enough. 

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Only 3 Farmer’s Markets Left. This is one of your last chances to find everything from fresh produce and baked goods to quality meats, coffee, and handcrafted items by local artisans.10:00 AM–6:00 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free.

• Indoor Walking & Social. Join Banff locals for a drop-in indoor walk or cardio session at The Fenlands with Certified Exercise Physiologist Kiley Torti. Coffee and tea follow for connection and conversation. Parents with strollers welcome (no childminding). 1:30–3:30 PM. Free.

• CORE International Turns 20. CORE International is a Canadian nonprofit that supports Nepal’s most marginalized people, especially children, through education, literacy, skills, and health programs. They’re marking 20 years with an evening of activities, a film, and a social hour. Tickets are $20, with all proceeds going directly to CORE’s programs. 7:00 PM. artsPlace.*

Thursday

• Remote Worker’s Meet-Up. Connect with local creatives, entrepreneurs, and remote workers in Dead Man’s Flats. Work together from 1–5 PM at Eclipse Coffee, then join an optional river hike and cold plunge at 5. Free to attend.

WE TOOK OUT A REVERSE MORTGAGE AND NOW WE HAVE A HOT TUB

Carol and Ron live in South Canmore. They didn’t downsize. They didn’t move to a condo in Cochrane. They took out a reverse mortgage and bought a cedar hot tub, a pizza oven, and two plane tickets to Costa Rica.

Their kids said, “But what about our inheritance?”

Ron said, “Google it.”

Here’s the truth: reverse mortgages still get side-eyes, mostly thanks to U.S. horror stories. But in Canada, they’re built to keep you on title and in control. Used right, they unlock your equity into real, use-it-now freedom. No monthly payments. No forced moves. Just your home funding your next chapter. So you can tap your equity and savour your golden-larch years.

Michael & Cari Hossmann help Bow Valley homeowners access their equity without falling into a financial trap. They’ll walk you through it, answer every question, and make sure you stay in control.

Because retirement shouldn’t be all budgeting and Bran Flakes. Sometimes, it should be bubbles and Chianti.

👉 Book a free call with Michael & Cari

_{*Presented by Dominion Lending Centres Synergy Financial.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ⛷️ Personalize Your Ski Pass. Forget the bland ID photo. SkiBig3 is letting five winners personalize their 25/26 season pass with a photo that actually shows personality. Think cowboy hat, retro ski gear, or even your dog as a co-star. Buy your pass and submit your shot by September 19 for a chance to win. Another perk: early bird pricing saves you up to $750.*

• 💼 Winter Job Fair. Swing by the 2025 Winter Job Fair and connect with some of the area’s biggest employers. Thursday, Sept 18, 2–4 PM at the Moose Hotel & Suites in Banff. Free to attend. Just bring your resume and a good pitch.

• 👕 Swap-O-Rama is Back. Join the Canmore Public Library and Homelessness Society of the Bow Valley for Swap-O-Rama September 19-21. Clean out your closet now because the library is accepting donations beginning this Saturday.

• 🙋‍♀️ Volunteer for the 2025 Terry Fox Run. Canmore’s Terry Fox run is looking for volunteers. The run takes place Sunday, September 14 at the Canmore Recreation Centre, and help is needed both on the Organizing Committee and for short shifts on event day. 

• 🧥 Sweater Weather Run. Pull on your coziest sweater and hit the trails for the Sweater Weather 10K or 5K at the Canmore Nordic Centre on Saturday, October 18. Expect golden trails, pine forests, post-run pie, and autumn vibes. All runners welcome.  Sign up before September 12. 

• 🏞️ Banff Mountain Film Fest Hits 50. The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival turns 50 this Nov. 1–9. What started as a small mountaineering gathering is now nine packed days of films, stories, and events that celebrate adventure and mountain culture. We’ll share more details on this milestone festival as it nears.

CIVIC NEWS

• Canmore Presses EPCOR on Odour Fixes. Canmore Council is pushing for stronger action on persistent odour issues from the wastewater treatment plant. Despite two costly upgrades, complaints continue. Administration will work with EPCOR to present solutions at the September Committee of the Whole meeting, with a Phase 3 Odour Upgrade slated for 2026 budget talks.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, 9:00 PM: Open Mic. Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Wednesday, September 10th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Welcome to the Jungle. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, September 11th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Open Mic. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Teeing Off in Banff (Virtually). Not quite news, not quite sports, but pretty fun: the Banff Springs Golf Course is now playable in the new PGA 2K25 video game. So if you’d rather swing a controller than a club, you can check out what it’s like to golf in Banff. Watch the gameplay.

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.