🚔 Traffic: Carney Comes to Banff

Good morning, Bow Valley!

If you noticed a few motorcades rolling between Calgary and Banff yesterday, expect a little more of that this week. Prime Minister Mark Carney and his cabinet are coming to Banff Thursday and Friday for a two-day planning session. The good news for locals: the Town of Banff told us there are no road closures, public-access restrictions or traffic disruptions planned. So, you might notice a little extra security around town, but otherwise, it should be business as usual. Hopefully someone reminded the entourage to pick up their park passes at the Banff gates. 

-Ben S., Fortune Whelan, Brendan Nogue, Alexia Chambers, Keith Fernandes

CANMORE WANTS PERMANENT RESIDENTS TO BE ABLE TO VOTE IN ELECTIONS

What's Happening? People can live permanently in Canmore, pay taxes and build their lives here, but unless they're Canadian citizens, they can't vote for their local mayor or councillors. Canmore wants that to change. The Town is pushing Alberta to allow permanent residents to vote in municipal elections, a proposal that received unanimous support from council on Sept. 1.

Who Are We Talking About? Permanent residents are people who have been granted the right to live permanently in Canada but have not become Canadian citizens. According to 2021 census data, 32.8% of Bow Valley residents were born outside Canada. (Note: That figure includes people who have since become Canadian citizens, so it doesn't tell us how many permanent residents actually live here.) 

Why Does Canmore Want This Changed? Supporters argue permanent residents are already part of the community and directly affected by municipal decisions.

"They pay taxes, raise families, volunteer, and contribute to local life in Canmore, yet cannot currently vote in municipal elections," Tineke Van Der Merwe of the Bow Valley Immigration Partnership said. The organization works to help immigrants and newcomers settle and participate in the Bow Valley community. 

Mayor Sean Krausert said municipal voting is particularly relevant because local decisions can have an immediate effect on residents.

"The decisions we make affect people immediately, and we need to make sure that those who are affected have the ability to vote," he said.

But Canmore Can't Change This On Its Own. Alberta sets the eligibility rules for municipal elections, and current law requires voters to be Canadian citizens. Canmore can advocate for a change, but the province would have to rewrite the rules.

Read our full story

“WAIT… YOU CAN STILL BUY NEW IN CANMORE FOR THAT?”

For a lot of locals touring the Altitude show homes right now, the conversation usually starts with the same thing:

“Wait… these start in the $500s?”

Because in Canmore, that genuinely changes the conversation.

Condos at Altitude currently start from $544,900, which has caught the attention of a lot of people who had mostly written off new-build ownership entirely. Not necessarily because it’s “cheap” by normal standards, but because relative to the Canmore market, it’s become one of the more realistic entry points people have seen in a while.

And now that a 4th show home has opened, people can actually walk through different layouts and compare what different price points feel like in real life.

Some quickly realize the condo lifestyle works for them. Others end up gravitating toward the larger townhomes under construction starting from $1.165M + GST.

Either way, it’s easier to make sense of the market when you can physically tour it instead of trying to piece it together online.

You can now book a private showing and tour all 4 show homes here.

_{*Presented by Logel Homes.}

THE DIGEST

• 🏆 We Found One of Banff’s Best Views, And You Can Eat Lunch There. We recently took the chairlift 7,000 feet up Mount Norquay to try the Cliffhouse Bistro, a tiny historic restaurant overlooking Mount Rundle and Banff below. No hiking required. We went for the view, but the food ended up being a pretty big part of the experience, too. Think Alberta beef, loaded share plates and tea-infused cocktails served inside a restored 1950s tearoom that Marilyn Monroe once visited. Read our full first-hand review, including what we ate, what it costs, and whether we think it’s worth the trip

• 🚬 92% of Readers Want Smoking and Vaping Banned on Banff Trails. Remember the story we published Monday about a national push to ban smoking across much of Parks Canada land? We asked what you thought, and 850 of 924 readers supported extending the ban to Banff’s trails and backcountry. Wildfire risk dominated hundreds of comments, followed by cigarette-butt litter and second-hand smoke. Some supporters questioned how a ban would actually be enforced, while others wondered whether vaping should be treated the same as smoking. Read everything your neighbours said.

• 🐎 Alberta Could Start Giving Wild Horses Birth Control. Health Canada has approved a research trial of a contraceptive vaccine on Alberta’s free-roaming horses, after the province counted a record 2,072 this year. The plan is to capture mares, give them the vaccine and release them back into the wild. The Wild Horses of Alberta Society says one dose can prevent pregnancy for three to four years. Alberta says horse numbers in four areas, including Ghost River, have reached levels that are not ecologically sustainable. 

• 🤠 Free Community Day Returns to Star 6 Ranch. This Saturday, Star 6 Ranch is opening its gates for a free day of horses, Indigenous storytelling and crafts, yoga, cold plunges, donkey walks and more. But there’s quite a story behind why the ranch does this. Founder Fiona Mactaggart suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2021 and says the land and horses became an important part of her recovery, inspiring her to make the ranch available to others. Read our full interview with Mactaggart. 

Over The Last 12 Months…

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IT’S ELK MATING SEASON IN CANMORE AND BANFF. HERE’S WHAT TO DO IF ONE CHARGES

What's Happening? Bull elk are entering the most aggressive part of their year. Mating season, known as the rut, is underway in Canmore and Banff and runs until roughly mid-October, with Parks Canada warning that bulls protecting groups of females can become extremely aggressive.

And encounters can turn serious. Last year, a cow elk protecting a calf charged a dog near Canmore's Elk Run baseball diamonds. The dog later died from its injuries.

So, How Much Space Is Enough? Parks Canada and the Town of Canmore say at least 30 metres, roughly three school bus lengths.

Nick de Ruyter, WildSmart program director at the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, told Bow Valley Insider he recommends staying 100 metres away from elk during the rut. He said many dangerous encounters start with "poor choices made by people," such as approaching for a photo, trying to squeeze past an elk on a trail or getting too close with a dog. 

And don't get between a bull and the females it's guarding, even in a vehicle. Parks Canada warns bulls may charge vehicles in that situation.

What If One Comes At You? Don’t run, turn your back or play dead. De Ruyter teaches “Stop, Talk & Walk”: stop, get your bear spray ready, gather your group and slowly back away while maintaining eye contact. If the elk keeps approaching, make yourself look bigger and put a tree, vehicle or large rock between you. If there’s no cover and it keeps charging, use bear spray. If you’re knocked down, get up and move toward cover. 

Dogs Change The Equation. Elk can perceive dogs as predators, and de Ruyter said elk have charged dogs from more than 100 metres away. His advice is simple: if you encounter an elk while walking your dog, change direction rather than trying to pass it.

Know When An Elk Is Telling You To Leave. Flattened ears, raised rump hair, circling or following, grinding teeth, pawing the ground, thrashing vegetation, grunting or lowering its antlers are all warning signs.

Our full article has maps showing elk hot spots across Canmore and Banff, so you know where to be especially alert. 

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Only Four Wednesdays Left for the Banff Farmers Market. The weekly market is nearing the end of its season, with more than 100 vendors filling Central Park with fresh produce, baked goods, local food, art, jewelry and handmade goods. Live music from the gazebo plays throughout the day. The market ends Sept. 30. 10 AM - 6 PM. Central Park, Banff. Free.

• Fondue and Half-Price Wine at The Stirling. This is a pretty solid Wednesday dinner. For $90 for two, you get Swiss-style cheese fondue with bread and veggies, a 10 oz strip-loin steak with triple-cooked chips, and chocolate fondue with fruit and pretzels. The entire wine menu is also half price. 5 PM - 9 PM. The Stirling Grill & Lounge, Canmore.*

Thursday

• Donuts, Conversation, and a Little More Connection. Frankie D’s Donuts is bringing people together for World Suicide Prevention Day with an evening designed to make difficult conversations feel a little less difficult. Hear lived-experience stories, join optional table conversations, or simply listen while making messages and comfort items for tough days. No pressure to share, and trained peer supporters will be there. 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Banff Public Library. Free, registration required.*

WORK IN ALBERTA’S OUTDOOR SECTOR? HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD

Whether you run an outdoor business or work for one, there’s a new Alberta-wide study that wants your input.

The Outdoor Council of Canada is helping build the first comprehensive picture of Alberta’s outdoor workforce, including the hiring needs, skills gaps and retention challenges facing the sector.

And “outdoor workforce” is pretty broad. It includes people working in guiding, instruction, outdoor education, retail and rentals, manufacturing, summer camps, parks, events, outdoor programming, Indigenous land-based programming, outdoor therapy and more.

There are currently two confidential surveys, both taking less than 15 minutes:

Employers: For business owners, managers, HR staff and others involved in staffing decisions.

 → Take the survey

Workers: For anyone who currently works, or has previously worked, in Alberta’s outdoor sector.

 → Take the survey

The worker research will continue through additional phases, but this is the only opportunity for employers and businesses to respond.

Both surveys close September 16.

Better decisions start with better data. Take 15 minutes to make sure your experience is part of the picture.

_{*Presented by Outdoor Council of Canada.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🎭 Bad Decisions Comedy Tour Hits Canmore. Three comedians are taking over The Drake Screaming Retriever for a 90-minute, 18+ comedy show built around something most of us have plenty of experience with: questionable decisions. The Sept. 22 show features Nelson Mayer, Chris Basso and Scott Porteous, with performers whose credits include Canada’s Got Talent, Prime Video and the Winnipeg Comedy Festival. Tickets are only $20 in advance. Some might still be available at the door, but don’t risk it.*

• 🍽️ Last Chance for Friday’s Long Table Dinner. Only a few spots remain for The Fat Ox’s outdoor dinner inspired by Festival delle Sagre, an Italian tradition where entire villages gather around long tables for food and wine. The evening includes live music, a welcome cocktail and a five-course Northern Italian menu featuring beef tartare, vitello tonnato, roasted carrot risotto, Alberta short rib and chocolate Bonet. There’s also an optional wine pairing. Reserve your spot.*

• 🥁 Valley Winds Jazz Band Needs a Drummer. If you’re an experienced drummer who’s been missing playing with a band, here’s your chance. Canmore’s Valley Winds Jazz Band is gearing up for another season of jazz standards, pop and Latin music, along with community dances and its annual Jazzy Christmas. The new season starts Sept. 29, and they’ve got one important seat left to fill. Interested? Contact Mary Lynne McCutcheon at [email protected] or 403-678-2227 before showing up.*

• 🚴 Hundreds of Cyclists Will Ride the Bow Valley Parkway for Cancer Support. Cancervive returns Sept. 12 for its 21st year, bringing riders together to raise money for Wellspring Alberta, which provides free programs for people living with cancer. Riders can choose routes from a beginner-friendly 25 km to 110 km. The ride has raised more than $3.3 million since it began, including $137,772 last year. This year will be particularly meaningful after Cancervive founder Brian McGregor died in March.

• 🎙️ Banff Ultrarunner Samuel Dickie Talks Death Race Win, Training and Cougar Encounter. This is a great listen from our friends over at the Overheard Podcast. Dickie recently won the 118-kilometre Canadian Death Race in 13 hours and 25 minutes, but the conversation goes well beyond the finish line. He talks training through Bow Valley winters, the mental battles behind ultrarunning, why he’ll run a marathon after work and the cost of competing at this level. Then there’s his story of being charged and stalked by a cougar for nearly 20 minutes.

CIVIC NEWS

• Banff Is Raising Electricity Fees to Bury More Power Lines. Starting Jan. 1, the average household will pay about $5 more per month, with the additional money going toward moving overhead lines underground. Banff has 11.5 kilometres of them, but the work isn’t cheap. After six years of saving, the Town has enough money to bury roughly six poles. Underground lines are less exposed to falling trees and can reduce wildfire risks, while removing poles can also make narrow alleys easier for fire trucks to access. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, September 9th, 2026, 10:00 PM: Tommy’s Open Mic. Location: Tommy’s Neighborhood Pub. No Cover.

• Thursday, September 10th, 10:00 PM: JG n' The District. Location: Rose and Crown, Banff. No Cover.

SPORTS

• Why Is a Korean University Hockey Team Playing the Canmore Eagles? Korea University’s Tigers are in Alberta for a four-game AJHL exhibition tour, testing themselves against junior teams including Canmore. The Seoul-based program is one of South Korea’s top university hockey teams and has produced national-team players, so this isn’t a novelty matchup. Puck drops Friday, Sept. 11 at 7 PM at the Canmore Recreation Centre.

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.