✂️ Parks Canada Starts Cutting

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PARKS CANADA BEGINS WORKFORCE REDUCTIONS AS BANFF BRACES FOR ANOTHER RECORD SUMMER

What’s Happening? As Banff braces for what local officials expect could be another record summer tourism season, Parks Canada has begun workforce reductions as part of a plan to cut nearly $145 million in spending over the next three years. What remains unclear is how those cuts could affect Banff National Park.

The Workforce Is Shrinking. Parks Canada's 2026-27 Departmental Plan projects the agency's workforce will decline from 6,046 full-time equivalent positions this year to 4,800 by 2028-29.

The agency says it will first rely on attrition and reassignment before pursuing other workforce adjustment measures.

"It is anticipated that these spending reductions will have an impact on team members and positions," the plan states.

The reductions are no longer just a future plan. Parks Canada has already entered what it describes as the first phase of workforce adjustments, and employees affected by the initial round have already been notified.

What Could Be Cut? Parks Canada has not identified which regions or programs will be most affected.

However, the departmental plan says savings could come from efficiencies in internal services, increased use of digital tools, reductions in duplicative or non-essential services, and changes to visitor programming. 

Bow Valley Insider asked Parks Canada how many positions may be affected in Banff and whether any local services could be impacted, but did not receive a response before publication.

An Awkward Timing Problem. The reductions come as the federal government is actively encouraging people to visit national parks through the Canada Strong Pass.

The free-admission initiative returned on Friday and was credited with helping drive a 13% increase in visitation during its first year.

At the same time, Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno has warned the town is preparing for another record year of traffic, citing the Canada Strong Pass, continued growth in the Calgary region and strong demand for domestic travel.

Why It Matters. Banff welcomed more than four million visitors last year, making it Canada's busiest national park. While Parks Canada says it plans to focus reductions on efficiencies and lower-priority services, it remains unknown whether staffing, visitor services or programming in Banff could be affected as the agency reduces spending and workforce levels.

Read our full story

ORAL HEALTH BEYOND THE CLEANING APPOINTMENT

Appointments at Floss are designed to give patients time to better understand what’s going on with their oral health.

Rather than moving quickly through a checklist, appointments are structured to include assessment, discussion, and treatment planning as part of the overall care process. Patients are walked through what the team is seeing, what it means for their oral health, and what treatment options may be appropriate before any treatment begins.

The approach is designed to leave room for questions and conversation, with a focus on helping patients better understand their oral health over time.

The clinics are also designed with comfort and flexibility in mind, particularly for patients who may feel anxious about dental visits.

Floss has clinics in both Banff and Canmore. You can book your first comprehensive dental hygiene appointment here.

_{*Presented by Floss Dental.}

THE DIGEST

• ⛔ Johnston Canyon Off-Trail Travel Now Banned. Parks Canada has prohibited visitors from leaving the official Johnston Canyon trail between the lower trailhead and the Ink Pots as part of an effort to protect endangered black swifts. The birds nest in the canyon's cliffs and waterfalls and have declined by more than 50% since the 1970s. Johnston Canyon is one of only two known nesting areas for the species in Banff National Park. The restriction remains in place until Nov. 15, and violations can carry fines of up to $25,000.

• ✅ Canmore’s Mount Collembola Reopens Today. After being closed since April 1 to protect bighorn sheep during lambing season, one of Canmore's most underrated summit hikes is back on the menu. Our resident hiking writer, Janine, just published a detailed guide to Mount Collembola, a challenging 16.6-km route with more than 1,400 metres of elevation gain, a short scramble near the summit, and sweeping 360-degree views over the Bow Valley. It's a big day out, but the payoff is one of the best ridgeline hikes around. Read our full guide.
  

• ✅ Banff’s Caribou Street Reopening Is Finally In Sight. After nine months of construction, downtown Banff's Caribou Street is entering its final stretch. Paving stones are expected to be finished this week, with the alleyway and nearby parking lots reopening June 29. The Lynx Street intersection is scheduled to fully reopen July 6, marking the end of a $6.8-million project that replaced aging water, sewer, and storm drainage systems, some of which were nearing 100 years old, while adding wider pedestrian-friendly public spaces, new seating areas, trees, and landscaping. 

• 🚗 Broken Down, Robbed, And Stuck For Five Hours On Highway 1. A Calgary woman says a flat tire near Mînî Thnî turned into a nightmare after she spent hours stranded on the Trans-Canada Highway, had her mountain bike stolen by a man who allegedly threatened her with a knife, and was later charged nearly $1,000 for emergency tire service. RCMP say the bike has since been recovered and the investigation remains ongoing. It’s a wild story that serves as a reminder to carry a spare tire, know who you're calling for roadside assistance, and stay alert after dark. 

Over The Last 12 Months…

1.9M+ Bow Valley Insider editions sent
22M+ views across our social media

We’ve become the #1 digital media brand for Canmore, Banff, and Calgary weekenders.

And we use that reach to drive real business for our partners.

➡️ Want to see what a partnership looks like? Fill out the form

THE MAN BEHIND ALBERTA'S VIRAL JET BOAT JUMP EXPLAINS WHAT PEOPLE DON'T SEE

What’s Happening? A few weeks ago, we told you about the stunt that racked up more than 1.1 million Facebook views after a boat launched off Lundbreck Falls. We recently caught up with the man behind the wheel, and he says what viewers don't see is the planning, scouting and risk assessment that happens before the camera starts rolling.

Not As Impulsive As It Looks. While critics have described the stunt as reckless, Dusty Friesen insists safety comes first.

"If I think the odds are against me, I don't do it," he told Bow Valley Insider.

Friesen said he routinely scouts locations, studies water conditions and abandons ideas when he believes the risks outweigh the chances of success.

In previous interviews, Friesen described changing his intended route at Lundbreck Falls after spotting dangers near the lip of the waterfall.

Life After 20 Million Views. Friesen estimates his content generated roughly 20 million views across all social media platforms in the days following the Lundbreck jump, bringing new followers, sponsorship opportunities and a flood of attention.

Despite the viral success, he says much of the operation remains a one-man show.

"I can't do it all," he said.

Beyond the stunts themselves, Friesen handles travel, repairs, logistics, filming and social media.

What's Next? Friesen says the attention has only fueled bigger ambitions. He's already scouting future locations and upgrading his safety equipment.

While he confirmed the next project is already in the works, he declined to reveal the location or details.

"We're going halfway across the country for the next one," he said. 

A Final Note. The debate surrounding the stunt is far from settled. While some viewers praised the stunt, others questioned whether any amount of preparation can justify launching a boat over a waterfall. At the time of the stunt, RCMP confirmed they were investigating the incident. As of publication, Bow Valley Insider has not received an update on the status or outcome of that investigation.

Read our full interview

THINGS TO DO

Monday

• Banff Bike Maintenance Clinic. Want to spend more time riding and less time fixing your bike? Banff Bike Month continues with a hands-on clinic covering flat repairs, brake adjustments, bike cleaning, and basic maintenance. Led by a certified bike mechanic. 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM. Fenlands, Banff. Free for Banff residents, or $10.

Tuesday

• RunNation Film Festival. This global documentary festival uses running as a lens to tell stories about endurance, adventure, community, and pushing personal limits. Whether you're training for an ultra or just like a good story, there's something here for you. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. $25.*

• Sideshow Daredevils At The Drake. Sword swallowing, comedy, magic, and “please don’t try this at home” stunts are coming to Canmore for one very unusual Tuesday night. The Monsters of Schlock and Neil Dee are teaming up for a wild sideshow collaboration featuring Guinness World Record-setting performers, high-risk stunts, comedy, and strange and unusual spectacle. 8:30 PM - 11:30 PM. The Drake, Canmore. $13.39. Get tickets.*

BANFF CENTRE'S SUMMER NIGHTLIFE SERIES RETURNS

Looking for something to do after dinner that doesn't involve another walk down Banff Avenue? Banff Centre's CLVB '33 series is back for the summer, bringing more than 30 events to the calendar, including live music, comedy, karaoke, DJs, and special performances running every Thursday through Saturday. 

Upcoming highlights include:

Karaoke with Miss Rizz
June 25 | 9 PM | Free

• Whether you're a shower singer or a secret superstar, Miss Rizz's karaoke nights are known for good vibes, zero judgment, and enthusiastic crowd support. Come to perform or just enjoy the entertainment.

The Three Sisters
June 26 | 8 PM | $20

• Bow Valley favourites Heather Jean Jordan, Irene Poole, and Ji Won Baxter blend rich harmonies, original songs, and folk-inspired storytelling. They are one of the stronger local music acts you'll find this summer.

Peak Laughs Comedy Series: Sterling Scott
July 2 | 9 PM | $20

• Canada's Got Talent finalist, Kevin Hart's LOL Network comedian, and one of Canada's most acclaimed stand-up acts brings his high-energy comedy to Banff, hosted by Edmonton’s Teshoma Ayenfisu.

Sterling Drake
July 3 | 8 PM | $20

• The Montana songwriter has built a reputation for honest storytelling and roots music inspired by the people, landscapes, and traditions of the rural West.

DJ Faust
July 4 | 9 PM | Free

• Calgary DJ Rob Faust has spent more than three decades behind the decks. His sets move effortlessly through disco, funk, house, hip-hop, and everything in between. It’s a good excuse to stay out a little later than planned.

See the full lineup and event details. All events are 18+.

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 📝 $41,000 Up for Grabs for Bow Valley Students. With less than two weeks until the deadline, the Canmore Hospital Foundation is encouraging Bow Valley students pursuing careers in health care to apply for its 2026-27 scholarship program. A total of $41,000 is available through the Bow Valley Health Care Scholarships, with awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. The funding supports students in fields such as nursing, medicine, physiotherapy, emergency services, mental health, and other health-care professions. Applications close July 3.*

• 🙋‍♀️ Canmore Summer Theatre Festival Needs Your Help. Pine Tree Players is looking for volunteers to help bring this summer's outdoor theatre festival to life at the Stan Rogers Stage. Whether you're greeting guests, helping backstage, setting up sets, or keeping performers fed, there's a role for just about everyone. Volunteers get to watch the show, meet a great group of locals, and attend the festival wrap party on July 19. If you've ever wanted to support local arts, this is one of the easiest ways to make a real difference. Please consider signing up.*

• 🐻 Bear Warning Issued For Camp Chief Hector. Alberta Parks has issued a bear warning for YMCA Camp Chief Hector in Bow Valley Provincial Park after black bears were spotted feeding on natural vegetation in and around the camp. Visitors are being asked to stay alert and properly secure food and scented items. The timing is worth noting: most of Camp Chief Hector's summer camp programming doesn't begin until July 12, meaning the warning comes before the busiest part of the season.

• ❓Canada Strong Pass Questions, Answered. We've been covering the Canada Strong Pass quite a bit lately, but judging by the number of questions landing in our inbox, there's still plenty of confusion about how it actually works. So we put together a quick video breaking down some of the most common questions we've been hearing. If you moved to the bow valley recently, this one's probably for you. If you were around last summer, nothing has changed, so you can probably skip it.

CIVIC NEWS

• Kananaskis Creates New Tourism Reserve Fund. Expecting more visitors and development in the years ahead, the Kananaskis Improvement District has created a new reserve fund to help manage growth-related costs. The fund starts with $30,000 from the province and could support planning studies, infrastructure, emergency services, and other tourism-related pressures. Officials say local taxpayers won't be on the hook, with future funding expected to come primarily from the province as projects like Nakiska's proposed summer expansion move forward.

LIVE MUSIC

• Monday, June 22, 10:00 PM: Andrew Staygold. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

• Tuesday, June 23, 10:00 PM: Silver Fox Duo. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Banff Rugby Wants To Bring Back Its Women's Team. A group of local players is working to revive the Banff Bears women's rugby program, which hasn't fielded its own team since 2014. Right now, Bow Valley athletes are training in Banff and competing with the Foothills Lions in Okotoks, but the long-term goal is to once again have a women's team representing Banff. Organizers say momentum is building, but they need more players to make it happen. For those interested, email [email protected]. 

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.