🗳️ Why Banff Voted Differently

Good morning, Bow Valley!

We’ve announced it a couple of times already, but now only 6 spots remain for our next Bow Valley Insider event! On November 9, we're getting together at the Canmore Nordic Centre to learn how to ski and shoot from some of Canada's top biathlon athletes and coaches. It'll be a two-hour experience, with half the time spent learning to shoot and the other half cross-country skiing (you can bring your own equipment or rent). And this isn't going to be a big group lesson.  We're talking just 3-4 people per instructor, so you'll get plenty of hands-on attention. It's only $30 to join. Learn more and sign up.

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

BANFF-KANANASKIS SPLITS WITH PROVINCE ON IMMIGRATION

What’s Happening? Alberta voters supported all five immigration-related proposals in Monday’s referendum, but Banff-Kananaskis rejected three concerning access to health care, education and social services. 

How Did Banff-Kananaskis Vote? According to unofficial Elections Alberta results as of 2 PM Tuesday, Oct. 20:

• 54.5% opposed restricting eligibility for provincial programs based on citizenship or immigration status.

• 50.5% opposed requiring certain non-permanent residents to live in Alberta for 12 months before qualifying for social supports.

• 51.5% opposed charging certain non-permanent residents fees or premiums for health care and education.

Banff-Kananaskis did support the other two immigration proposals: giving Alberta more control over immigration and requiring proof of citizenship to vote in provincial elections.

Why Does This Matter Locally? International workers are a major part of the Bow Valley's tourism economy. Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno told Bow Valley Insider that roughly one in three Bow Valley residents was born outside Canada.

"They pay taxes here, they send their kids to school here, they raise their families here, they contribute, they volunteer," she said.

DiManno warned the questions themselves could leave international residents feeling unwelcome.

“It likely makes them feel like second-class citizens and that is just not right.”

DiManno said roughly 30% of Banff’s population turns over every five years, making it especially important that newcomers see the town as a dependable place to settle.

“We want to remain a reliable home for people who are looking to move here from all over the world,” she said. “And part of that reliability is knowing that you’ll have access to basic services.”

What About Separation? Albertans overwhelmingly voted to remain in Canada, including in Banff-Kananaskis, where 80.6% supported remaining compared with 19.4% who supported beginning the legal process toward another separation referendum, according to the same unofficial results.

So What Happens Next? The referendum doesn’t automatically change provincial laws or eligibility for public services. Any changes would require further government action, and their potential impact remains uncertain.

Mackenzie Tindal, employer services coordinator with the Bow Valley’s Job Resource Centre, warned that restrictions on essential services could make it harder for local businesses to recruit and retain international workers.

Read our full story and interview with Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno.

WHEN PLUMBING PROBLEMS SHUT DOWN BUSINESS

For most businesses, plumbing is invisible… until it isn’t.

A backed-up drain during dinner service. No hot water in a hotel. A leak that forces you to shut down part of your space. These aren’t small issues. They cost time, revenue, and unhappy customers.

And they never seem to happen at a convenient time.

That’s why commercial plumbing isn’t just about fixing problems. It’s about keeping things running without disruption.

Cool Runnings Plumbing works with restaurants, hotels, and commercial properties across the Bow Valley to handle everything from urgent repairs to ongoing maintenance. The focus is simple: fix the issue properly, minimize downtime, and keep your operation moving.

Because when your systems are working, no one notices. When they’re not, everyone does.

Reach out to Cool Runnings Plumbing if you want a quick look at what’s going on behind the scenes before it turns into something bigger.

_{*Presented by Cool Running Plumbings.}

THE DIGEST

• 👻 The Bow Valley Has A Spooky Side. Beneath Lake Minnewanka lie the remains of a village that once had hotels, restaurants and streets. Near Heart Creek, tunnels dug into a mountain were meant to protect documents from theft, fire and even bombs. And at the Banff Springs, hotel legends include a ghostly bride and a bellman said to help guests before vanishing. With Halloween approaching, we’ve rounded up five local places with strange histories and ghostly reputations.

• 🦇 Banff Could Trial Treatment To Protect Bats From Deadly Fungus. White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats across North America by disrupting hibernation, causing them to burn through the fat reserves they need to survive winter. Alberta is testing beneficial bacteria applied to bat roosts, hoping bats pick them up on their wings and gain protection against the fungus. Banff’s proposed wildlife recovery plan includes a possible trial, dependent on funding or partnerships. It’s a promising approach, but researchers haven’t yet confirmed how much it helps.

• 🏘️ Banff’s $50M Apartment Project Still Faces Uncertainty. Banff Caribou Properties wants to replace four houses on Lynx Street with 95 apartments, but says the town’s balcony restrictions could make the project unworkable. The company appealed those restrictions, arguing that fitting balconies within the rules would mean shrinking the building and losing apartments. An appeal board approved some changes, but allowed smaller fourth-floor rear balconies than requested. The developer hasn’t confirmed whether it will proceed. A building permit is still required, and construction timing and rents remain unknown.

• ☄️ A Meteor Shower Peaks Over The Bow Valley Tonight. The annual Orionid meteor shower, created by debris from Halley’s Comet, peaks overnight Oct. 21-22, with dark skies typically producing 10 to 20 shooting stars an hour. A bright moon will make viewing trickier, but early risers may have better luck between 4 and 6:30 AM around Banff and Canmore. We rounded up the best local spots to watch the show.

We’re Looking For Canmore Businesses People Are Overlooking

Do you run a Canmore business and wonder: Why the heck don’t more people know about us?

Maybe you offer an incredible experience, class or service people would genuinely love if they knew it existed.

That’s why we’re launching a new Bow Valley Insider series: The Other Side Of Canmore.

We’re showcasing businesses and experiences that even people who live here might not know about.

We've now filmed two episodes:

• Our first was at Creekside Villa.

• Our second was at Mtn River Life.

Now we're looking for more businesses to consider.

To be clear: This is a paid partnership opportunity. Our team will come experience what you offer first to make sure it’s a good fit.

If it is, we’ll go hard at making sure people know about it.

➡️ Think we should check out your business? Fill out this quick form and tell us about it.

BANFF HAD ITS SECOND-DRIEST JULY IN 134 YEARS.

What’s Happening? Banff received just 5.9 millimetres of precipitation in July, making it the second-driest July in 134 years. Yet the summer finished wetter than average, showing how a seasonal total can hide a prolonged dry spell.

How Dry Was July? Banff received just 13% of its usual July precipitation. It was also the town’s 12th-warmest July in 133 years, averaging 16.3°C compared with the historical average of 14.7°C.

That followed late May’s heavy rainfall, when municipal crews deployed flood barriers and sandbags as rising water closed pathways and trails across the Bow Valley.

June Did The Heavy Lifting. Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor told Bow Valley Insider that Banff received 190.8 mm of precipitation between June and August, 14% above normal. An unusually wet June offset July’s dryness, while August brought relatively typical rainfall.

More Rain Doesn’t Always Mean Less Fire Danger. Summer temperatures averaged nearly a degree above normal, increasing evaporation and potentially leaving less water available heading into fall, Proctor explained.

Parks Canada says deep soil, trees and logs can remain dry even after rain. Warm temperatures and wind can also quickly remove moisture, pushing fire danger back up.

How Did The Valley Fare? Banff National Park’s fire ban lasted July 30 to Aug. 31. No major wildfire took hold in the Bow Valley, although smaller fires occurred. An Aug. 26 fire near Lake Louise was brought under control the following day.

Local fire officials credited earlier rainfall, restrictions, public cooperation and ongoing work to reduce wildfire risk.

Read our full story

THINGS TO DO

Wednesday

• Free Running Documentary Screening In Canmore. Grab a seat at Canmore Brewing for Free to Run, a 30-minute film following Canadian ultrarunner Stephanie Case’s record-breaking mountain race and the challenges facing women runners in Afghanistan. Want to get moving first? An optional group run or walk is available before the screening. 6 PM run/walk, 7:15 PM film. Canmore Brewing. Free, donations welcome.*

• Get Free, In-Person Help With Taxes And Benefits. CRA and Service Canada representatives are offering 30-minute appointments for questions about taxes, Employment Insurance, pensions and federal benefits, plus information sessions on tax filing, dental coverage and disability benefits. 10 AM-3 PM at the Catharine Robb Whyte Building. Free.

Thursday

• Last Chance For A Locals’ Night At Banff Beer Festival. Get the friends together: Cave and Basin is shaping up to be an awesome night for locals, with food, beer, cocktails, non-alcoholic options, live music, DJs and games. Tickets are $69.99, $10 less than weekend admission, and include food and drink tokens, a sample mug and shuttle access. 5-10 PM. Grab your tickets (already 90% sold out).*

• Banff Beerfest’s After Party Is Open To Everyone. Whether you’re attending the Banff Craft Beer Festival or just looking for a night out, the Rose & Crown is keeping the party going with DJs and featured drinks. Beerfest ticket holders can skip the line and save 20% on regular-priced food. 10:00 PM until late. Rose & Crown, Banff. No cover.*

OWN A PLACE IN THE ROCKIES. RENT IT OUT WHEN YOU'RE NOT THERE.

Ever thought about owning a vacation property in the Rockies, but wished there was a way to earn some income from it when you're not using it?

Well, a new development in Harvie Heights is offering exactly that.

Meet Banff Legacy Resort. Located just five minutes from Canmore and one kilometre from the Banff National Park gates, this new 132-unit resort is being built specifically for vacation ownership and short-term rentals.

And here's what makes the ownership model interesting.

You Call The Shots. Want to spend a few weeks enjoying your own mountain getaway? Go for it. Want to rent it out on Airbnb or Vrbo when you're away? You can do that, too.

There's no mandatory rental pool, no requirement to use a particular short term rental manager, and no obligation to rent your unit at all. You decide how to use it, subject to the property's visitor-accommodation rules.

Not Your Typical Hotel Condo. Buyers can choose from one-, two-, and four-bedroom townhouse-style residences, featuring private entrances, balconies, air conditioning, modern appliances and titled underground parking.

The resort will also feature a hot tub, with a concierge service and commercial space planned.

Here's The Opportunity. Of the 132 units, just 50 are being released for sale, including only four one-bedroom residences.

Interested in having your own place in the Rockies, with the option to earn rental income when you're away?

Fill out this quick form to get available unit information (scroll down after clicking).

_{*Presented by Banff Legacy Resort.}

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• 🏆 One Of The Year’s Best Nights To Meet Local Business Owners. Catch up with familiar faces and meet the people behind other Bow Valley businesses as the Bow Valley Chamber of Commerce celebrates its 10th anniversary and Business Excellence Awards on Nov. 12 at the Canmore Nordic Centre. Expect a three-course dinner, welcome drink, circus performance, interactive art and plenty of time to connect. Tickets are $135 for members and $160 for non-members. Reserve your seat by Oct. 25.*

• 💚 Shop Secondhand And Handmade Finds In Canmore. Browse art, jewelry, household items and more from local vendors at Reuse Rendezvous on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 AM-4 PM at Canmore Creekside Hall (600 9 Street). Hosted by the Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley, the market gives useful items a second life while supporting local makers. It’s free to attend, but reserve your spot to be entered to win a prize.*

• 🎃 Halloween Is Just Around The Corner, And Exshaw Is Ready. The Exshaw Legion is throwing its Halloween Howler on Saturday, Oct. 31, with live music, costumes, and a little '80s nostalgia. Tribute band RETRObution takes the stage at 9 PM, with cash prizes for costumes and Jell-O shots on offer. Doors open at 6 PM, and admission is $10 per person. Text or call Kim for tickets 403-673-2792.*

• 🌉 A New Bridge Is Ready For Winter In West Bragg Creek. If you cross-country ski at West Bragg Creek, there’s a new crossing waiting on the Mountain View West trail. The Bragg Creek Trails operations team has replaced an aging bridge, removing the deteriorating structure and building its replacement ahead of winter. Now all that’s missing is the snow.

• 🥾 Canmore Climbing Gym Updates Prices For November. Heading indoors for climbing season? Starting Nov. 1, Canmore Climbing Gym is adjusting its membership and pass prices to help raise staff wages and cover rising operating costs. Adult monthly memberships will go from $62 to $66, and day passes from $19 to $21. Owner Jona shared the reasons behind the changes in a note to the climbing community.

• 🛣️ Expect Paving Along Highway 40 And Around Kananaskis Lakes. Road and parking lot paving is scheduled starting this week into early November, including King Creek, Grizzly Creek, Pocaterra, Elk Pass and Upper Lake. Crews will work in different areas depending on the date, so check the full schedule before heading out. Dates may change. Follow signs and crews’ directions, and expect some delays. 

CIVIC NEWS

• Doing Business In The MD Of Bighorn? New Rules Are Coming. Starting Jan. 1, 2027, most businesses operating in the MD will need a business licence, including contractors, tradespeople, home-based businesses and vacation rental operators. The good news? Eligible businesses that apply between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2027, will have their initial application fee waived. 

LIVE MUSIC

• Wednesday, October 21st, 2026, 9:30 PM: Elevate 360.  Location: Melissa's Missteak, Banff. $11.30

• Thursday, October 22nd, 6:30 PM: Andy Curtis & the Bow River Drifters. Location: The Dusty Boot, Banff. No cover.

SPORTS

• Canmore Eagles Tighten Game-Day Security. Growing crowds have prompted tighter security at the Canmore Recreation Centre. Head coach and general manager Andrew Milne told Bow Valley Insider that some fans brought outside alcohol last season, while attendance near capacity has made monitoring entrances more important. Fans can expect bag checks, ticket checks throughout the building and closer monitoring of entrances and exits. Under the team’s ticket policy, refusing a search could mean being denied entry without a refund. 

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.