👮 RCMP Services Paused

Good morning, Bow Valley!

Well, it is official. Banff has set the unveiling date for the new entrance sign. The town is giving the sign its new home by the train station next Thursday at 4:30 PM, with a short ceremony featuring Norquay owner Adam Waterous, who paid for the move and new parkette, and Mayor Corrie DiManno. Same sign, new backdrop, and hopefully far fewer Norquay Road traffic jams for that classic “we were here” photo. See you there if you are heading to the unveiling.

— Fortune Whelan & Ben S.

RCMP SUSPENDS INVESTIGATIONS ACROSS EXSHAW & DEAD MAN’S FLATS

What’s Happening? The Cochrane RCMP detachment, which serves the MD of Bighorn and much of the eastern Bow Valley, has been short-staffed since June. The shortage has grown serious enough that general investigative work has been temporarily suspended, leaving officers to focus mainly on emergency calls and active incidents instead of follow-ups or lower-priority cases.

Why It Matters? The detachment covers a large region, including Exshaw, Benchlands, Ghost Lake, and Dead Man’s Flats. With fewer officers available, residents have already noticed longer response times and fewer patrols. Councillors at the Nov. 12 MD of Bighorn meeting called the situation “unsustainable,” noting that officers have been working overtime for months just to maintain basic coverage.

The issue isn’t isolated to Cochrane. Banff faces its own RCMP staffing shortage, where limited resources contributed to a $130,000 drop in fine revenue and fewer proactive patrols. Banff RCMP Staff Sgt. Mike Buxton-Carr said housing costs and the high cost of living remain major recruitment barriers. Across Alberta, detachments are competing for limited recruits while retirements continue to outpace new hires.

What’s Being Done. MD of Bighorn Council plans to raise the issue directly with RCMP leadership during the Rural Municipalities of Alberta Fall Convention, taking place Nov. 17–20 in Edmonton. They will ask for:

• A timeline for restoring full staffing at the Cochrane detachment.
  

• Clarity on which services remain affected, including investigations and traffic patrols.
  

• A plan from RCMP Alberta headquarters to improve rural coverage by 2026.

Bigger Picture. Rural policing shortages have been building for years as training timelines lengthen and vacancies stay open longer. For smaller areas like MD of Bighorn, it’s a reminder that even well-funded communities depend on federal resources they cannot control. 

AYSANABEE LIVE AT BANFF CENTRE

Thursday Nov 20 • 7:30 PM • Jenny Belzberg Theatre • From $20

Two-time JUNO winner Aysanabee is stopping in Banff on his first-ever headlining tour, The Way We’re Born Tour. 

He’s coming off more than 300 shows worldwide, major festival stages, and a historic JUNO sweep where he became the first Indigenous artist to win both Alternative Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Expect his radio singles Nomads, We Were Here, Somebody Else, and his newest track Edge of the Earth, plus early cuts from his upcoming 2025 album.

His live shows are known for powerful vocals, sharp storytelling, and guitar work reviewers have called “ridiculously brilliant.”

If you want an intimate, unforgettable night with one of Canada’s fastest-rising artists, this is it.

🎫 Get Tickets

_{*Presented by Banff Centre.}

THE DIGEST

• 🛣️ Bow Valley Locals Reject Highway 1 Speed Increase. 83 percent of 871 Bow Valley Insiders said no to raising Highway 1 to 120 km/h between Canmore and Calgary. Locals warned that “speed is already too high,” that “wildlife fencing cannot stop everything,” and that 120 just means “people will go 130.”  A smaller group argued that traffic already moves around 120 and that updating the limit could reduce friction between faster and slower drivers. Read the community comments.

• ❄️ Avalanche Control May Close Icefields Parkway. A winter storm dropped heavy snow in Jasper and northern Banff yesterday, and Parks Canada says more accumulation today could trigger temporary closures on the Icefields Parkway between Parker Ridge and Saskatchewan Crossing. Avalanche control work is expected to continue through Friday. Travellers should check 511 Alberta before heading out.

• 💄 Kananaskis Lands a Spot in U.S. Vogue. Calgary model Awar Odhiang just scored one of the most coveted features in fashion: a multi-page spread in September’s U.S. Vogue, shot right in Kananaskis. Odhiang, who arrived in Canada as a refugee from South Sudan, called it “really special” to see her home province showcased on a global stage. Her agency says a solo Vogue story is incredibly rare. See the pictures here. 

• 🧗 Local Professional Climber Joins the Overheard Podcast. Canmore’s own Sonnie Trotter sat down with the Overheard podcast to talk about three decades of pushing climbing standards, balancing family life, and what still motivates him after hundreds of first ascents. He shares how he started, why flow state keeps him committed, and how fatherhood changed his approach to risk. A great listen for anyone who loves climbing culture.

• 🐻 Sighting of The Boss in Banff. Local wildlife photographer Bryan Bantle spotted The Boss this week “feeding on berries as light snow was falling.” He said the big grizzly looked strong and healthy, though age is showing in his worn teeth. The bear lingered for a few quiet minutes, grazing and roaming on his own before disappearing into the trees. Watch the video footage.

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.

SHOULD BANFF HIKE PARKING RATES TO FUND TRANSIT?

What’s Happening? Banff council is considering whether visitors should help shoulder more of the town’s costs by paying more to park.

A new report scheduled for presentation at the November 18 council meeting outlines a proposal to raise the visitor pay parking rate from $7 to $9 per hour, which would generate an estimated $2.2 million in additional annual revenue. The extra money could fully fund Roam Transit operations for the next two years and cut the planned 2026 municipal tax increase by about 7.8 percent.

Why It’s on the Table. Roam’s operating costs continue to grow as service expands, with the 2026 budget calling for about $1.55 million for local transit and $511,000 for regional routes.

Mayor Corrie DiManno first suggested using parking revenue to fully fund transit during budget talks, saying it could help ease pressure on taxpayers without cutting services. Currently, visitor pay parking covers 73 percent of local transit costs and 22 percent of regional routes. The increase would be enough to fund all Roam services through 2027, though not 2028 if new routes are added.

The Trade-Off. While the proposal would lower the tax burden for residents, it could also make Banff’s already expensive parking more controversial. Visitors currently pay a flat $7 per hour year-round to park downtown, a rate that already rivals larger cities. Resident permit holders (through the Residential Parking Permit program) can still park for free or for longer periods in designated areas.

What’s Next? Council will take another look at the parking rate proposal during December’s budget meetings, when they’ll decide whether to update the town’s 2026–2028 budget and officially change the parking bylaw.

THINGS TO DO

Friday

• Community Friday at Canmore Brewing. Settle in for an easygoing taproom night with live music by Indie Folk singer-songwriter Mari Rosehill, whose Joni Mitchell vibes and honest storytelling make for a great backdrop to end the week. Enjoy happy hour pints from 4 to 7 PM, with live music from 5 to 7 PM. 1460 Railway Ave, Canmore. Free.*

Saturday

• Holiday Craft Market and Bake Sale. The Banff Legion is hosting a festive craft market with more than 16 local vendors plus a full table of homemade baking. It runs Saturday from 12 to 6 PM at the Royal Canadian Legion Col. Moore Branch 26 on Banff Avenue. Entry is free, so come shop, snack, and support local makers. 12 - 6:00 PM. 92 Banff Ave.*

• Bow Valley Artists Face the Clock. artsPlace’s biggest fundraiser of the year, Creative Combat, returns November 15. Watch 12 local artists race the clock to create a work of art in just 20 minutes, then bid on their creations in live and silent auctions. The evening features local food, cocktails, live music, and a raffle for a trip. Funds raised support artsPlace programs that bring classes, performances, and festivals to the Bow Valley year-round.*

• Meet a Local Artist. Banff Public Library is showcasing painter Chelsea McDonald and her series Paintings from Life: 30 Days of September, featuring daily still lifes inspired by mountains, everyday objects, and autumn light. The exhibit runs all month in the library’s entryway, with a Meet the Artist Night at 5:15 PM. Banff Library. Free.

• Yuk Yuk’s On Tour at Moxy Banff. Moxy Banff is hosting a night of stand-up with comedians Braden Lyster, Jonny Pogo and Dale Ward. Expect big laughs, late-night energy and plenty of cocktails. Bring some friends and settle in for the show. 555 Banff Ave. $22.73.

Sunday

• Wildlife Film Festival by Y2Y. This is a free online film festival exploring how wildlife, communities, and mountain ecosystems are adapting as glaciers retreat and habitats shift during the International Year of the Glaciers’ Preservation. The event features three film sessions with filmmaker panels, Indigenous knowledge keepers, Y2Y scientists, and conservation leaders. One Zoom link gives access to all sessions. 11 AM to 5 PM. Free. Online.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• ✅ Working on a Green Project? Get It Funded. Municipalities, nonprofits, and community groups with ideas that reduce emissions or lock away carbon are encouraged to apply for Graymont’s 2025 Carbon Reduction Fund. Big or small, your project should be practical, trackable, and local to where Graymont operates. Past recipients include the Town of Canmore, Community Cruisers, and Canmore Community Garden. Apply by November 28, 2025. Click here for details. Question? Email [email protected].*

• 🐻 Meet The Boss Before He Became a Legend. Before he ruled the Bow Valley, The Boss was just a curious cub learning the ropes of Banff. The Little Grizzly Who Walked Like a Boss reimagines Bear 122’s early days with charm, humor, and stunning watercolor scenes from Banff, Lake Louise, and beyond. It’s a playful origin story that reminds us even the mightiest grizzly starts small and maybe a little scared of trains. Available on Amazon now.*

• 🏞️ Banff and Lake Louise Hot Chocolate Trail Returns. The annual Hot Chocolate Trail is back for the season, running now through February 8 with more than 30 cafés and restaurants offering limited-time, festive hot chocolates. Options range from classic to wildly creative, plus plenty of boozy versions for the adults. Bring a reusable mug if you are grabbing one to go.

• 🔒 Banff’s Train-Style Sushi Spot Closed. Sushi House says it will remain closed until November 15 as they prep for what they call “opening with perfection.” A quick drive-by shows fresh floors and walls being redone. Looks like the same sushi-train spot everyone knows, just getting a refresh before welcoming customers back for winter.

• 💪 Peaks of Grassi Earns FireSmart Neighbourhood Status. The Town of Canmore announced that the Peaks of Grassi has been officially recognized as a FireSmart Neighbourhood through FireSmart Canada’s Neighbourhood Recognition Program. This status means residents have completed coordinated, community-wide steps to reduce wildfire risk, such as managing vegetation and creating emergency response plans.

CIVIC NEWS

• AI System Tested for Early Wildfire Detection. The MD of Bighorn is testing an AI-powered wildfire detection system that acts like an automated lookout, scanning the landscape for smoke and sending instant alerts to local fire crews. Councillors praised the pilot’s early results and have asked the fire chief to provide a formal update on its performance, accuracy, and integration with existing emergency systems. The project could mark a major step forward in early wildfire detection across the Bow Valley. Stay tuned for more details once council receives the full briefing.

LIVE MUSIC

• Friday, November 14th, 2025, 10:00 PM: Mike Burns.  Location: Rose and Crown, Canmore. No Cover.

• Saturday, November 15th, 2025, 9:00 PM: Luke & Lanigan. Location: Tavern 1883, Canmore. No Cover.

• Sunday, November 16th, 2025, 7:00 PM: Carlyn Reilly. Location: Mount Engadine Lodge, Kananaskis. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Canada Sets Its First Biathlon Teams for the Olympic Season. After trials at the Canmore Nordic Centre this week, Biathlon Canada has picked the athletes who will start the winter on the World Cup and International Biathlon Cup circuits. These early-season teams matter because results over the next few months will determine who actually goes to the 2026 Olympics. Coaches say nothing is locked in yet and several spots are still up for grabs as racing begins Nov. 30.

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Monday, 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.