😵‍💫 Ottawa Reopens Banff to World

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If there are any typos in today’s edition, it’s because our team just got back from a turkey buffet at the Stirling Lounge and we’re all struggling to breathe. With that plea for forgiveness out of the way, we want to say thank you. Getting to wake up with you every week is something we never take for granted. Whether you’ve been reading since day one or just joined us, knowing this publication is part of your morning routine means the world. From our gravy-stuffed hearts to yours, thank you for reading, sharing, and keeping the Bow Valley conversation going.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

CANADA STRONG PASS RETURNS

What’s Happening? Prime Minister Mark Carney is bringing back the Canada Strong Pass for the 2025 winter holidays and summer 2026, giving free or discounted access to national parks, museums, and VIA Rail. It is billed as an affordability win, but in Banff, many see it as a recipe for more gridlock.

The Free Pass Frenzy. The first rollout earlier this summer sparked a 15% jump in park visits and a 13% rise in VIA Rail ridership. Families from Calgary could drive into Banff National Park without paying the usual $23 daily fee.

Locals Say “Free = Chaos.” When the program launched, 80% of Bow Valley Insider readers opposed it. “The town infrastructure isn’t able to handle it,” one wrote. Others argued that fees fund vital maintenance. “Free sounds nice, but there are real costs to maintain our parks,” another said.

Banff’s Balancing Act. Mayor Corrie DiManno called the winter expansion “a welcome incentive” to bring visitors in the off-season when roads and hotels have space. But she said summer is another story. “We hope to work with Parks Canada to structure free access around less busy times.” Her concern is that free entry could reduce Parks Canada’s budget, which funds park maintenance and protection.

The Global Contrast. While Canada is flinging its gates wide open, other countries are tightening theirs. The U.S. raised fees for foreign tourists, and Japan added crowd controls at sites like Mount Fuji. The Canada Strong Pass, meanwhile, is free for everyone, Canadian or not. Carney called it “a way to help Canadians see more of our great country,” but critics say locals already pay for the parks through taxes, while tourists enjoy them for free.

The Debate is Familiar: Balancing affordability for visitors with livability for residents. As one local put it, “We love sharing our backyard. But someone still has to clean it up when everyone leaves.”

Read the full story here (and please share it if you value us working over the long weekend to get you this story🤗).

THE SMARTER WAY TO FUND YOUR BOW VALLEY BUSINESS

(Stop putting work trucks on your Visa.)

You’re a local contractor, landscaper, or small business owner. You need real equipment to do real work: pickup trucks, mini-excavators, sprinter vans, scissor lifts… maybe even a grain bin (for your side hustle brewery dreams).

But here’s the problem: most banks won’t touch small-scale equipment financing under $150K. So you end up draining your HELOC or maxing out your personal credit.

Locals Michael & Cari Hossmann work with lenders who actually support Bow Valley entrepreneurs.

That means lease financing built for business owners, not hobbyists. No impact on your personal credit. No ding to your debt ratios. Just smart, flexible funding that keeps your cash flow moving and your business growing.

Perfect for tradespeople, solopreneurs, and small biz owners who need gear but don’t want to gamble with their personal finances to get it.

👉 Book a call with Michael & Cari… And get the gear you need without torpedoing your credit score.

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

THE DIGEST

• 🤓 Justin Bieber Spotted in Lake Louise. Pop’s most famous Canadian was seen at Lake Louise with wife Hailey, doing all the classic tourist things: canoeing, layering up in trendy outerwear, and snapping mountain selfies. Bow Valley Insiders claim, “My parents met them in the spa,” and “I ran into them having a pint at the Pump and Tap at 1 AM.” Our favourite comment? “Only they could afford that $170/hr canoe rental.” 

• 🫶 Bow Falls Survivor Becomes Famous in Taiwan. A year ago, we reported on Jaron Rosso Wiigs, the Calgary man who survived an 18-metre fall at Banff’s Bow Falls. Now, Rosso Wiigs has made headlines again after spending his vacation shovelling mud and clearing debris in Taiwan following a typhoon. He says he felt lucky to survive his 2024 fall and wanted to “pay the universe back.”

• 🦬 Indigenous Bison Hunt Set for Banff. The second Indigenous bison hunt in Banff begins this week and runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 9. Parks Canada says the process will start small and proceed thoughtfully, with a cap of eight bison allowed. Some conservation experts still question hunting inside national parks, citing discomfort with how the public might react and the long-held belief that parks should remain untouched wilderness.

• 🩺 New Wellness Programs in Stoney Nakoda. Infinity Health, a First Nations-owned care provider, is launching new initiatives in Mînî Thnî, including after-school programs, youth employment training, and anti-trafficking education. The programs will be free for residents and delivered through a care model rooted in Stoney Nakoda traditions.

Traditional Media Called. It Wants Its Budget Back.

We get it. You’ve “always done” print.

But your customers are in their inbox, not your neighbor’s recycling.

We deliver clicks and sales, not column inches.

➡️ Stop funding nostalgia. Start driving results.

WHAT CANMORE CANDIDATES SAID ABOUT GROWTH AND HOUSING

What’s Happening? Canmore’s council and mayoral hopefuls faced off last Thursday at the Bow Valley Builders and Developers Association (BOWDA) forum. Candidates tackled the town’s core question: how to manage housing, growth, and livability for the long term.

On Housing: Mayor Sean Krausert pointed to Canmore’s median home prices, $900,000 for condos and $1.4 million for single-family homes, and called non-market housing (town-owned homes priced below market value) “the only thing proven to remain accessible.” Councillor Jeff Hilstad said affordability now touches everything “from rent to groceries,” while Karen Marra asked the question hanging over every conversation: “Who’s going to serve our coffee? How do we keep those people in our community?”

On Growth: Councillor Wade Graham warned the province’s plan to double tourism will compound every problem the valley already faces. Then came one of the forum’s most memorable moments: candidate Laura Finlay’s solution to traffic. “Why don’t we put a car park right on top of Elevation Place? Make it five levels high.” 

On the Livability Tax: The proposed vacancy or “livability” tax drew sharp divides. Rob Seeley called it “divisive and ruining our sense of community,” while Javan Mukhtarov defended it as “the only tool we have right now” to address empty homes. 

On Process: Candidates also took aim at slow approvals. Councillor Tanya Foubert proposed creating performance metrics for development timelines, while Krausert promised more predictable permitting. 

Read our full article for a deeper look at what candidates had to say.

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Thanksgiving in Canmore. Enjoy a three-course feast at Murrieta’s featuring Winter Squash Soup or Caesar Salad, Roasted Turkey with all the fixings, and Pumpkin Pie for dessert. À la carte options are also available. Reservations recommended. $43 per person.*

• Thanksgiving in Banff. Celebrate Thanksgiving with an Italian twist at The Fat Ox. Enjoy a family-style feast with Autumn Panzanella Salad, Turkey Piccata or Mushroom Lasagna, Roasted Brussels Sprouts, and Tiramisu for dessert. $42 per person.*

Tuesday

• Documentary Screening. Experience filmmaker Matty Hannon’s 16-year odyssey from Alaska to Patagonia in this eco-documentary. After losing everything, he meets permaculture farmer Heather Hillier, and together they travel 50,000 km through wilderness, culture, and self-discovery. 7:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $15 / Members $12.75 / Youth $7.50.*

JEN MARRAN FOR CANMORE COUNCIL

Canmore is home, and I have been a full-time resident for more than 20 years. 

Before moving to Canmore, I grew up and lived in Calgary. I was a “part-timer” and spent weekends and summers in my family’s Canmore townhouse that my grandpa purchased in 1983 and is still lovingly used by my grandpa and his wife, my parents, my brother, my aunt, my uncle, and their families.

My first job in town was at Beamer’s Coffee Bar, and I have lived in various locations, including downtown, Three Sisters, Teepee Town, Spring Creek, and Silvertip. I’ve lived in staff accommodation, I’ve rented, and I’ve owned.

I am a business owner, and work in strategic planning, professional communications, and leadership as a consultant, facilitator, and as a faculty member. I have a Doctor of Education in leadership, a Master of Education in Adult, Community, and Higher Education, and a Journalism Arts Diploma in Print Media.

I sit on the Town of Canmore’s Assessment Review Board and have been a member of the Tourism Canmore Kananaskis board, the Canmore Council Remuneration Review Committee, and the Education Beyond Borders board.

I am committed to ensuring there is accountability, protecting our environment, supporting local businesses, strengthening our community, and creating housing solutions. 

🔗 Email: [email protected]

🔗 Website: https://www.jenmarran.ca/

🔗 Facebook: Check here. 

🔗 Instagram: Check here.

_{*A message paid for by the Jen Marran campaign.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🚧 Moraine Lake Road Closes Early. Moraine Lake Road was supposed to stay open for shuttles and commercial vehicles until Oct. 13 (today), but Parks Canada closed it a day early after heavy snow. If you were hoping for one last visit, the gates are shut until spring, unless you plan on walking, biking, or cross-country skiing.

• ❄️ La Niña Winter Could Mean Big Snow. Meteorologists say a La Niña pattern is forming, which often brings snowier winters to the Rockies. It’s still early, but forecasts are pointing toward a strong ski season for the Bow Valley. Which makes now the perfect time to grab your SkiBig3 Season Pass with unlimited skiing at Sunshine, Lake Louise, and Norquay, no blackout dates, and up to $750 in savings if you buy by Wednesday (Oct. 15).*

• 🪄 Fairy Tales Take the Stage. Cinderella, Little Red, and Rapunzel collide in ways you will not expect. Into the Woods opens at Carter-Ryan Gallery in Canmore on Oct. 15, with Jason Carter’s immersive set and a stellar local cast. This witty, layered musical explores what really happens after “happily ever after.” Tickets are going fast. Get yours here.  Use code BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🍃 Clarity When You Need It Most. Feeling stuck, searching for answers, or carrying weight you can’t quite name? The Women’s Rockies Restorative Retreat brings in psychic medium Dan King, whose Saturday session is known for delivering guidance that cuts through confusion and helps people move forward with purpose. Combined with a weekend of yoga, breathwork, and healing ceremonies, you’ll leave lighter, clearer, and reconnected. October 17–19 in Canmore. Details here.*

• 💡 Strike Day Art Camps. During school closures, artsPlace is expanding daytime programming to support families with engaging, hands-on learning for kids. Led by local artists and educators, these art camps explore different mediums and outdoor creativity (weather permitting). Camps are offered at cost to stay affordable, and refunds are available if schools reopen.*

• 👒 A Quirky Climate Fashion Show. Join the Mountain Grannies and the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 7 PM at Creekside Hall for a bright, bold, and humorous climate-focused fashion performance. Tickets are $40 and include a glass of wine and snacks.*

• ☕ Hot Meals for the Whole Family. Let Cornerstone Café handle dinner with their Reheat & Eat meals, made fresh with local ingredients and portioned for 3-4 people. Just heat, serve, and add your favourite side. Current options include Butter Chicken ($19.75), Paneer Makhani ($16.95), Thai Coconut Curry ($18.50), Beef Bourguignon ($19.50), and Bison Stew ($22.50). Can’t decide? The Bison Stew is our favorite.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Tourism Dominates MD of Bighorn Election. Candidates differ on how to manage tourism. Steve Fitzmorris stresses balancing resident needs, Jen Smith promotes low-impact tourism, and Claude Faerden calls for a balanced management plan. Learn more. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, October 13th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Tunes with Tenax. Location: High Rollers, Banff. No. Cover. 

• Tuesday, October 14th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Karaoke Tuesday. Location: Melissa’s MisSteak, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Biathlete Injured Months Before Olympics. Canmore’s Daniel Gilfillan, who competed in last winter’s Biathlon World Cup, has fractured his fibula during training. The 22-year-old called the injury “hard to accept.” He’s now focused on recovery and hopes to return stronger.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Wednesday, 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.