🚗 Road Rage Probe

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you’ve been watching the May Long forecast and thinking… yep, that tracks. A sharp cooldown is expected by Friday, with possible overnight snow around Banff and Kananaskis at higher elevations. Still, if history tells us anything, it probably won’t stop Albertans from hauling trailers into muddy campgrounds while insisting it’s “still shorts weather.”

- Fortune Whelan, Ben S., Madalyn Beach

RCMP SEEK ANSWERS AFTER CANMORE MAN FOUND DEAD ON TRANS-CANADA HIGHWAY

What’s Happening? A 24-year-old Canmore man was found dead on the Trans-Canada Highway early Monday morning, and RCMP are now asking the public for dashcam footage or information that could help piece together what happened.

What Police Know. Canmore RCMP say officers were called around 12:23 AM on May 11 after a westbound driver reported a body on Highway 1 between exits 89 and 86 through Canmore. Officers arrived and located the deceased man, later identified through an autopsy conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Calgary.

Investigators say they still do not know how long the man had been on the highway before he was discovered, or whether he had been walking on the roadway or shoulder beforehand. RCMP believe he may have been struck by a larger vehicle whose driver may not have realized a collision occurred.

“Nobody stopped, and there’s no indication that it’s a criminal hit and run,” RCMP Public Information Officer Cpl. Gina Slaney told Bow Valley Insider.

A Known Crossing Concern. The area near Exit 89, which connects to Palliser Trail, has previously been flagged as a jaywalking hotspot tied to growing residential development near the Palliser lands.

In 2025, Banff-Kananaskis MLA Sarah Elmeligi told the Western Wheel she urged provincial planners to consider a pedestrian overpass or crossing as part of planned highway fencing in the area.

“We know that people are jaywalking across the Trans-Canada Highway there. We know that it’s dangerous,” Elmeligi said at the time, adding she believed fencing alone would not stop crossings because “people are crossing there all the time.”

What RCMP Are Asking For. Police are requesting dashcam footage or information from anyone who travelled westbound on Highway 1 through Canmore between 11 PM on May 10 and 1 AM on May 11. Anyone with information is asked to contact Canmore RCMP at 403-678-5519.

THEY SAY, “SECURITY IS OVERKILL FOR A SMALL BUSINESS”

That’s a common assumption. And it’s usually made right up until something goes wrong after hours.

Most small businesses don’t need a guard standing around all day. What they need is someone to actually check the building when it’s closed. Doors locked. Gates secured. No one inside who shouldn’t be there. An alarm that gets a real response.

That’s where Ten-8 Security fits. They work with everyday businesses across the Bow Valley, not just large sites. Retail stores, mechanic shops, car dealerships, offices, construction sites, and condo properties that simply want to lock up at night and know someone is checking on things.

Their guards conduct scheduled interior and exterior checks, respond to alarms, and document every visit. Some clients book one check per night. Others want two. Some only need exterior patrols. Pricing is flexible and scaled to what the business actually needs.

For many owners, it costs far less than one break-in, insurance claim, or late-night call.

Request a free security consultation 

_{*Presented by Ten 8 Security.}

THE DIGEST

• 🚗 Remember That Road Rage Video? Last week, we mentioned the video circulating online showing a chaotic confrontation at a busy Canmore intersection. Well, Canmore RCMP told us yesterday they’re now actively investigating the incident, calling it the kind of thing they almost never see locally. Police say the altercation happened May 3 near Bow Valley Trail and Railway Avenue after tensions over driving escalated from a verbal argument into a physical confrontation involving a pickup truck and two motorcycles. RCMP confirmed all parties have now been identified. No charges have been laid so far.

• 🍽️ Saffron Opens Second Restaurant In Canmore. One of Banff’s longtime Indian restaurants is betting on Canmore. Owner Pradeep Rana says the new restaurant was intentionally built around dishes many locals may be less familiar with, including biryani, a slow-cooked layered rice dish, and chaat, a category of bold, tangy Indian street snacks. Rana said the Canmore concept reflects growing demand beyond classic staples like butter chicken, with dishes like chicken biryani and tandoori lamb chops quickly becoming customer favourites. He says additional expansions, including Lake Louise and Calgary, are already being explored. Read our interview.

• 👨🏻‍💼 Banff And Lake Louise Launching Workforce Study. Banff and Lake Louise are preparing a first-of-its-kind labour study aimed at better understanding staffing shortages, housing pressures, seasonal hiring trends, and future workforce demand. The study comes as local employers continue scrambling to fill summer jobs, with the Bow Valley Job Resource Centre reporting more than 210 open positions and a 54% increase in job postings compared to last year. Staff housing remains one of the biggest pressure points. 

• 🔥 Heading To Radium? Expect Visible Smoke. Parks Canada fire crews have started small-scale guard burning in southern Kootenay National Park as preparation for the prescribed fire near Radium Hot Springs. If you’re driving Highway 93 South, you may notice smoke, flames, helicopters, and fire crews working near the Kootenay River Valley. Parks Canada says the work is aimed at reducing future wildfire risk by clearing vegetation along control lines before larger prescribed burns begin later this spring. 

The Local Paper Will Take Your Advertising Dollars.

We don’t.

We turn businesses away.

Not often. But it happens.

If we don’t think we can get you results, we’ll tell you.

Because bad partnerships help no one.

If we do say yes…

We’re all in.

➡️Let’s see if it’s a fit

CANMORE OFFICIALLY SCALES BACK LIVABILITY TAX PLAN

What’s Happening? Canmore council officially approved a scaled-back version of its livability tax budget Tuesday, confirming months of expectations that new provincial rules would dramatically reduce how much money the program can generate for housing initiatives.

The Big Financial Shift. Before Alberta stepped in earlier this year to exempt provincial residents from the higher tax category, the town projected the livability tax would generate roughly $10.3 million annually. Updated estimates now peg that number closer to $4.4 million.

The livability tax applies a higher property tax rate to certain homes not occupied as a primary residence for much of the year. The town estimates roughly 25% of homes in Canmore are not occupied by full-time residents, while the rental vacancy rate remains around 0.9%.

While council and administration had already signalled the reduced revenues were coming, Tuesday’s vote officially locked in the revised budget and funding plan.

Affordable Housing Plans Delayed. The reduced revenue will delay or extend timelines for several housing initiatives, including funding tied to the YWCA housing project and infrastructure work in the Palliser neighbourhood.

Council also accepted recommendations to avoid raising the livability tax beyond rates comparable to other tourist-home taxes while maintaining the current balance between residential and non-residential taxation.

Sharp Divisions At Council. Several councillors argued the revised program still falls far short of what’s needed to address Canmore’s housing pressures.

“My concern is that it’s not enough, soon enough,” Coun. Jeff Mah said, arguing many residents can’t afford to wait while some second-home owners are deciding whether to spend weekends at their vacation properties.

Coun. Wade Graham called affordability “the number one threat to Canmore and the Bow Valley,” warning the community will need roughly 3,400 affordable housing units by 2041.

Others urged caution. Coun. Tanya Foubert said council still faces uncertainty around how many properties will qualify under the revised rules and how much revenue the program will ultimately generate, while Mayor Sean Krausert argued the livability tax is only one piece of the town’s broader housing strategy.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Canmore Housing Discussion Brings Together Local Leaders. Author Jessica Barrett joins Canmoreland Community Land Trust, Canmore Community Housing, and Coun. Tanya Foubert for a discussion on community-led housing solutions, affordable housing, and how locals can play a bigger role. 6:00 PM. artsPlace, Canmore. RSVP required.*

Thursday

• Chess Night Returns. Looking for a low-key Thursday night with a little strategy involved? Join this drop-in chess group for all ages and skill levels. Chess sets are provided, though bringing your own is welcome. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Canmore Public Library. Free. 

• Trivia Night At The Drake. Round up your smartest friends, or at least the loudest guessers. The Drake is hosting its weekly trivia night with prizes, drink specials, and free entry. They’re also now serving fresh oven-baked artisan pizzas. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The Drake, Canmore. Free.*

FEDERAL MP BRINGING POP-UP OFFICE TO CANMORE & BANFF

Need help untangling a federal issue? MP William Stevenson is hosting non-partisan pop-up offices in both Canmore and Banff on Friday, May 15, giving Bow Valley residents a chance to connect directly with federal staff. Whether you need help with immigration paperwork, CPP, Employment Insurance, veterans services, CRA questions, or simply want to share your perspective on issues affecting the Bow Valley, the team will be available for drop-in support and conversation.  

📍10 AM to 12 PM, Bow River Lodge, 920 Fairholm Drive, Canmore.

📍2 PM to 4 PM, Catharine Whyte Robb Building, 101 Bear Street, Banff. 

_{*Presented by the Office of MP William Stevenson.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🗺️ Wilderness Navigation Workshop Heads to Banff. If you’ve ever second-guessed a route mid-hike, this one’s built for you. This full-day, in-person workshop on May 24 focuses on real-world navigation skills, from reading topographic maps to using a compass and digital tools. Hosted by the Interpretive Guides Association, it starts indoors, then moves outside around Tunnel Mountain for hands-on practice. Expect practical route planning, hazard awareness, and a confidence boost for backcountry trips. Runs 9 AM to 5 PM. Spots are filling fast. Register here.*

• 🎤 A Bold Beatles Show in Canmore. “I didn’t expect that” was the reaction we kept hearing after Here Comes The Sun. One local told us, “I thought it was going to be a tribute band. It’s not. It’s way more interesting.” Another said, “I’ve heard these songs a thousand times and somehow they felt new again.” Running now at Carter-Ryan Theatre, this inventive live show deconstructs The Beatles’ catalogue and rebuilds it with fresh harmonies and unexpected turns. It closes May 31, so this is your last chance to see it. Get tickets here. Use BOWVALLEYINSIDER for 15% off.*

• 🏕️ A Unique Summer Camp for Teens in Kananaskis. A new youth program in Kananaskis aims to help teens turn curiosity about the outdoors into leadership skills. Hosted at Camp Chief Hector, the 13-day program introduces campers to conservation issues, community engagement, and reconciliation through hands-on experiences across the region. Participants will work on volunteer projects, learn from Indigenous Knowledge Keepers and scientists, and spend time reflecting on their role in shaping their communities. The overnight camp runs August 9-21 for youth aged 14-15.  Register by end of May.*

• 🍻 Grizzly Paw Is Pouring 1996-Priced Beer For Its 30th Birthday. Grizzly Paw is celebrating 30 years in Canmore by throwing prices back to 1996. Until May 28, all Founder’s Series beers are just $4 for a full 16 oz pour at all Canmore locations. Happy hour runs daily from 3-6 PM at The Paw Pub on Main Street and 2-5 PM at The Taproom and TANK310 on Old Canmore Road. Because apparently, inflation does not apply to 1996 nostalgia.*

• ✍🏻 Canmore Writing Workshop Focuses On Journaling. Most people know journaling is “probably good for them.” The harder part is understanding why it deserves space in an already packed day. A Canmore-based workshop series called Writing as Craft explores the science, techniques, and practical reasons for writing on a regular basis. Facilitator Lorraine Widmer-Carson describes journaling as “a life skill and coping tool” that can help build resilience, increase self-awareness, and improve relationships. Participants use words like “restorative,” “hopeful,” and “healing” to describe the experience. Next session is May 23. Learn more.*

• 🍱 Valbella’s May Long Boxes Are Built For Easy Hosting. If your long weekend involves feeding a group without spending half of it wandering grocery store aisles, Valbella has your meals handled. Their May Long lineup includes BBQ-ready, charcuterie, and sausage sampler boxes packed with crowd-friendly favourites like smokies, steaks, skewers, pâté, cheeses, and grill-ready meats. The charcuterie box alone feeds about eight people. Order online for pickup or delivery, including Calgary and Cochrane options.*

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Gas Franchise Up For Renewal. Banff residents have until May 21 to weigh in on ATCO Gas renewing its agreement with the Town from 2027 to 2037. The proposed deal would keep the franchise fee at 35%, with the average residential customer continuing to pay about $16.49 per month through their gas bill.

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, May 13th, 2026, 8:30 PM: High Dive Wild West Wednesdays. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No Cover.

• Thursday, May 14th, 2026, 7:30 PM: Last Ark Out. Location: artsPlace, Canmore. $25.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Drop First Game At Centennial Cup. The Canmore Eagles suffered their first loss of the Centennial Cup Tuesday, falling 6-4 to the Niverville Nighthawks and missing out on a direct semifinal bye. Despite the loss, the Eagles still finished second in their pool and now head into Friday’s quarterfinal needing three straight playoff wins to claim the national Junior A championship. 

That’s all, folks!

We’ll see you back here on Friday, 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.