💰Canmore’s $4,172 Surprise

Good morning, Bow Valley!

After we reported Monday that Banff will have a designated “protest zone” during the G7 Summit (June 15–17), a few readers pointed out something funny: June 15 is also the Banff Half Marathon. Between road closures, world leaders, and out-of-town runners—nature might be hinting it’s a good day to lace up your boots and disappear into the woods.

In today’s Bow Valley Insider:

• Canmore’s Vacancy Tax gets the green light

• Helicopter patrols are coming next week

• Banff cuts down trees in phase one of wildfire mitigation

• Plus: new summer menus, dance nights, & artist gatherings!

Let’s get to it!

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

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VACANCY? THAT’LL BE $4,172 EXTRA, THANKS.

What’s Happening? Canmore’s vacancy tax—officially the Livability Tax—has cleared a legal challenge and is set to launch in 2026, aiming to address the town's housing affordability crisis.

Tax Details. The tax imposes an additional 0.4% levy on the assessed value of homes not used as primary residences. For instance, a median-valued home assessed at $1.043 million would incur an extra $4,172 annually in municipal taxes.

Residency Criteria. To qualify as a primary residence, a property must be occupied for at least 183 days per year, with a minimum of 60 consecutive days. Owners must declare their property's status annually by December 31.

Legal Ruling. The Court of King’s Bench upheld the tax, confirming it falls within Canmore’s authority under Alberta’s Municipal Government Act. However, the court delayed implementation to 2026, citing concerns over retrospective application for the 2025 tax year.

Impact and Opposition. Approximately 26% of Canmore homes are owned by part-time residents. The tax is projected to generate $10.3 million annually, funding affordable housing initiatives. While town officials hail it as a step toward housing solutions, some property owners and developers argue it unfairly targets second-home owners.

READY FOR NEXT-LEVEL BUSINESS PEACE OF MIND?

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Interested in skipping the legal headaches and getting back to what you do best? 

Get in touch with Stringam and see how a little extra peace of mind can fuel your next chapter of success. 

_{*Presented by Stringam.}

THE DIGEST

• 🛣️A Full Banff Weekend Under $210. We created a 2-day Banff itinerary that covers food, hikes, accommodations, and even happy hour—for less than $210 total. Locals might learn some new tricks, and our Calgary readers will definitely save some cash. No tourist traps, just smart choices. Read our full guide. 

• 🕵️‍♀️Missing Person in Banff. RCMP are looking for Rory Edwards to confirm his well-being. Anyone with information is asked to contact Banff RCMP at 403-762-3120.

• 🚁Helicopter Patrols Incoming. From May 5–9, AltaLink will be flying helicopters over transmission lines across southern Alberta, including Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise. It’s part of a routine inspection to check vegetation and infrastructure. Expect low-flying choppers, but no disruptions are planned.

• 🐻Bear Attack in Whistler Ends With Animal Euthanized. A woman walking her leashed dog was bitten by a black bear. She’s expected to recover, but the bear was later killed by conservation officers. Whistler may not be the Bow Valley, but the lesson hits close to home: even leashed dogs can trigger defensive bear reactions, especially if they bark. Stay alert, carry bear spray, and give wildlife space.

• 🙌Trucker Honoured For Good Deed Near Banff. Daljit Sohi, a driver for Triple Eight Transport, was named a 2024 Highway Angel after returning a purse with $1,100 and valuables to a family he followed for 3 hours after a Golden rest stop. Some heroes wear capes—some drive semis.

BANFF’S GOING FULL LUMBERJACK (FOR SAFETY)

What’s Happening? Banff just cleared out hundreds of coniferous trees from public and private lands in a major FireSmart effort to reduce wildfire risk—and they’re not done yet.

Phase 1: Complete. 329 trees were removed near town buildings like the wastewater plant and childcare centre, plus hundreds more on the town’s perimeter. Another 300 private property permits have been issued. It’s part of a $1.4M plan targeting everything from rooftop sprinklers to wildfire response upgrades.

Homeowners Get Help. Residents can snag $200 rebates for tree removal, $65 rooftop sprinkler kits, and roof replacement assistance. Demand is high—home assessments and rebate requests are rolling in.

Bigger Picture. With memories of Jasper’s 2024 wildfire still fresh, Banff is stepping up evacuation modeling and working with the U of C and Parks Canada to prep for worst-case scenarios.

‘Community Forests’ on the Table. Fire expert Cliff White is calling for Banff and Canmore to manage forest zones up to 10 km out. His pitch: long-term, locally managed fuel breaks—not just the “log-it and leave-it” approach that’s failed before.

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Artist Gathering. Oesa Café invites all artists, makers, and creatives in the Bow Valley to the first-ever Bow Valley Artist Gathering. A vibrant evening dedicated to connecting, dreaming, and building community. 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM. 100 Beaver Street, Banff. Free.

• Free Movie Night. Inspired by true events, My Penguin Friend is an enchanting adventure about a lost penguin rescued from an oil spill, who transforms the life of a heartbroken fisherman. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Canmore Library. Free.    

Thursday

• Volunteer Appreciation Event. The Town of Banff is hosting a special event to thank volunteers for their time, care, and energy. Celebrate with free food, appreciation gifts, and more!

• Fishing Film Frenzy. The Fly Fishing Film Tour is back with ten top-tier fly fishing films. Catch the action, community spirit, and epic cinematography that supports worldwide conservation efforts.7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $20 / members $17/ youth $10.

• Ecstatic Dance is Back. Ecstatic dance is a free-form, non-judgmental movement practice where people dance without alcohol, shoes, or talking. Move to music in a safe space to let go, feel joy, and get out of your head. 7:45 PM - 10:00 PM. Yoga Lounge, Canmore. Free

• Final Comedy Night. Join comedians Jarvis Zawatsky, Maxwell Xavier, Josh Dollard and headliner Daryl Makk for one last laugh before Tavern Comedy takes a summer break. 8:30 PM - 11:00 PM. Tavern 1883, Canmore. $11.98. 

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🧘🏻‍♀️Wellness, Mountain-Style. If you’re looking for something way cooler than a regular retreat, Well In: Banff is relaunching for the first time since its rescheduled event due to the pandemic. Yoga sessions outside, plunges into glacier lakes, mountain saunas—you’re basically getting all the good stuff about Banff and none of the tourist chaos. Check it out. Runs from May 23-25.

• ♨️Fresh Flavors Have Arrived in Downtown Canmore. Dive into Murrieta’s new summer menu featuring Cedar Plank Salmon, a juicy Pork Chop, Eggplant Parmesan (for vegetarian fans), a bold Chorizo Pizza, and a Crispy Cod Burger. Summer’s short—don’t waste it eating boring food.

• 🍳Feeling Breakfast? Here’s a Local Fav. We stopped by The Summit Café, a beloved breakfast spot since 1999. Check out our video. They serve up hearty breakfasts, fresh-baked treats, and fair-trade coffee daily. It's family-friendly, fully licensed, and offers gluten- and dairy-free options. The patio views? Totally worth it. 

• 💼Celebrating Local Entrepreneurs. Did you know the Town of Canmore has an entrepreneurship training program?  It’s called SMARTstart, and we had the opportunity to attend the graduation ceremony for the latest cohort.  Check out our video featuring some of the newest businesses in Canmore.  

• 🎤Join the Canmore Folk Fest Team!  If you’re looking for a summer gig, the Canmore Folk Fest has two paid opportunities, which include hands-on experience in festival ops, production, and artist relations. Learn more and apply here. 

• 🍻Live Music & Southern BBQ–What’s Not To Love? Head to the Canmore Brewing Company Friday for live bands, a southern BBQ food truck, happy hour brews & great door prizes. It’s the perfect way to wrap up winter—don’t miss it!

• ❄️Live Icefield Views. The Columbia Icefield live cam is back up and running. It shuts down over the winter, but you can now check current conditions, whether you’re wanting to visit the glacier or scout conditions for a big alpine push.

• ⛳Disc Golf League. Join Trail Sports’ Spring Disc Golf League! Weekly games, fresh air, and friendly competition for all skill levels. Meet fellow disc lovers, track your progress, and enjoy the season outdoors. Bring your A-game—and your best throw! 

• 🛣Mountain Avenue Update. Road crew in Banff are adding a centerline rumble strip & repainting the yellow line on Mountain Ave to improve safety & lane usage for the new express bus lane. Traffic remains open both ways—drive with caution.

• 🎗Mental Health & Addiction Week is coming on Sunday to Banff & Lake Louise. Explore free, preventative programs designed by your community to support your journey. Browse events here. 

• 🥦Fresh Food Coming. Get 15 seasonal fruits & veggies each month at a lower cost. Available in Banff, Canmore, Exshaw & Lake Louise. In partnership with Odd Bunch to fight food waste & bring fresh produce to more tables.

CIVIC NEWS

• Shape Banff’s Future. Have your say on the Draft Community Plan before input closes today, April 30. Share feedback on housing, development, environment, Indigenous relations, traffic & more. Read the plan & take the survey today!

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, April 30th, 2025, 10:00 PM: DJ Tenax. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover. 

• Thursday, May 1st, 2025, 10:00 PM: KiVeli. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Retro Ski Racing and Heartwarming Tributes at Norquay. The Bozocup brought out World Cup pros, Teletubbies, and vintage ski suits in honour of the late Rob Bosinger. From high-speed slalom to hilarious costumes, the event blended fun and legacy on the slopes. And yes—someone raced in a mustard yellow Team Canada onesie.

• Cyclists Set To Take Over Canmore Streets May 25. The 11th annual Rundle Mountain Criterium rolls into town with over 200 riders tackling scenic routes through the Bow Valley. Hosted by the Rundle Mountain Cycling Club, the event features fresh courses and fast-paced action. Want in? Registration and volunteer spots are still open.

That’s all, folks!

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