Immigration Changes Could Worsen Bow Valley Staffing Challenges, Advocates Warn

Banff and Canmore businesses have long relied on newcomers to help fill jobs, particularly in tourism and hospitality. But local immigration advocates say recent policy changes and proposed referendum questions could make it harder for employers to attract and retain workers at a time when staffing shortages remain a major concern across the Bow Valley.

During a presentation to Banff council on June 9, the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership (BVIP) said the concerns are particularly significant in a region where nearly one-third of residents were born outside Canada and temporary residents make up a substantial portion of the local workforce.

"What we're hearing on a really regular basis is employers are struggling to attract and retain staff, especially during critical peak operation periods," said Tineke Van Der Merwe, communications and engagement specialist with the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership.

Van Der Merwe said shifting immigration policies, changes affecting access to provincial services and growing anti-immigrant sentiment are creating new challenges for employers and community cohesion.

The Town of Banff serves as BVIP's fiscal host and a founding partner. Van Der Merwe said the organization works closely with groups in the tourism and hospitality sectors, including the Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association, Banff and Lake Louise Tourism and the Bow Valley Job Resource Centre.

"Immigration levels and pathways, and policies pose immense challenges and are consistently shifting our community demographics," she said. "Unexpected and sudden policy changes affecting immigrants' ability to access provincial services are having hugely negative effects on workforce planning."

The comments come as Alberta prepares for an Oct. 19 referendum that will include five questions related to immigration, including proposals that could affect some non-permanent residents' access to provincially funded services.

"On October 19th, Albertans who are eligible to vote will be asked to answer some pretty important questions in the provincial referendum," she said. "Five questions on immigration that could have serious ripple effects in our community where temporary residents make up a significant portion of the workforce and community."

Van Der Merwe said newcomers are deeply woven into the fabric of the Bow Valley. Statistics Canada data from the 2021 census found 32.8% of Bow Valley residents were born outside Canada.

"That's nearly one in three of our neighbours, colleagues and friends," she said. "People from around the world continue to help shape our workforce, schools and community life."

BVIP also told council that newcomer-serving agencies in the Bow Valley supported nearly 1,800 people from more than 65 countries between April 2025 and March 2026. The top countries of origin included the Philippines, India, Japan, China, Chile and Ukraine.

The organization said a 2023 Banff Community Social Assessment found Banff has a higher proportion of immigrants and non-permanent residents than Alberta as a whole and comparable mountain communities including Canmore, Jasper and Whistler.

While workforce planning was a major focus of the presentation, BVIP representatives also raised concerns about racism, anti-immigrant sentiment and community cohesion.

"Racism, anti-immigrant sentiment, scapegoating of newcomers, are threatening community cohesion," Van Der Merwe told council. "The idea that there isn't enough to go around, that Alberta or Canada or the Bow Valley is full, and that systems that are creaking under pressure are not only harmful, but they are also factually incorrect."

The organization argued that creating a welcoming community is becoming increasingly important as employers continue to face staffing challenges.

"With these challenges top of mind, it's actually never been more important to ensure that we continue building a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone can find belonging," Van Der Merwe said.

The presentation also highlighted BVIP's efforts to help employers create more inclusive workplaces and strengthen community belonging. Through its Workplace Inclusion Charter, employers commit to practical steps such as improving hiring and onboarding practices, connecting employees with local support services, reviewing workplace policies and providing inclusion training for staff. Last year, 70 local employers participated in the program, reaching nearly 6,000 employees. BVIP also led a campaign encouraging residents to stand against racism and support newcomers, attracting 182 signatures to an open letter.

BVIP is exploring a community gathering later this year that would allow newcomers to meet with Banff's mayor and council in a less formal setting ahead of the October referendum.

"We would hope to host it in the fall in the lead up to the referendum because there will be folks who have questions and maybe want to discuss things," Van Der Merwe said.

Mayor Corrie DiManno welcomed the idea and thanked the organization for its work.

"We're really open to any of those opportunities," she said. "They are such a vital and valued part of our community. We certainly want them to feel that appreciation and love that we have for them."