Council Clips – October 5, 2021

2021 Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Update

The Town of Canmore first made commitments to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action in 2017. Since that time an update has been provided to Council every two years. The 2021 update is being presented along with additional documents to further support and enhance the Town of Canmore’s work in, and commitment to, living in right relations with all Indigenous peoples, and especially our Stoney Nakoda neighbours. Read all the details pdf here (236 KB)  or visit Truth and Reconciliation

Regenerative Tourism Framework

Council endorsed a Regenerative Tourism Framework recommended by the consultant following an extensive public participation this past summer regarding the future of tourism in Canmore. They presented a tourism framework designed to facilitate a thriving tourism economy and ensure the most important concern of the community is addressed: the regeneration of the essence of Canmore; an authentic, active mountain town that has a meaningful relationship with the natural environment and Indigenous culture and history. The vision is that Canmore is a community of hosts and visitors committed to regenerative tourism through which we leave this beautiful place with a healthier environment, happier community, and stronger economy. The Regenerative Tourism framework, if followed, acts to preserve the social fabric of the community, maintains and where possible enhances ecological integrity, and continues to ensure Canmore’s long-term economic health. Administration will work with Tourism Canmore Kananaskis to create a Tourism Roundtable to initiate and monitor progress and facilitate broad-based community dialogue. Read the report   pdf here (2.80 MB)  or for more information visit In Good Company: a Sustainable Tourism Framework

Downtown Paid Parking Program

Council approved the implementation of a paid parking program for the Town Centre in 2022. Administration is looking to make some enchancements to the program based on learnings from paid parking at Quarry Lake and in the Town of Banff. Administration will develop a public participation plan to be rolled out in Q4 2021, that will assist in ensuring the final paid parking plan aligns with both community feedback and parking management goals. To find out more about the plans for paid parking, visit Paid Parking & Fare Free Transit

2021 Council Priorities – Progress Report

Much progress was made on Council’s new priorities this year, and they are all either well-underway or complete. The construction plan for the new fire hall is on schedule to be ready to tender this fall, intercept parking was created behind Home Hardware, paid parking and exciting infrastructure enhancements are being implemented at Quarry Lake, additional outdoor winter amenities were provided, and a pedestrian and cyclist-only Main Street helped to prioritize the safety of the community during the pandemic, and lastly a Tourism Task Force has completed their work on engaging the community regarding the future of tourism. The current strategic plan is in effect until the end of 2022, and when elected, the new Council will determine their priorities for a new 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. To read the strategic plan click  folder here

Delegation: Circular Innovation Council

As the founder of the original Blue Box Recycling Program, Circular Innovation Council has long been at the forefront of circularity in Canada. Council heard insight into how government procurement is key to move from just a sustainable linear economy to a circular one that redefines the value of recycled materials and promotes reuse and extension of the lifespan of products. Although the current mayor was invited to become the first signatory of the 100 Mayor Commitment, Council decided not to sign the declaration, as this Council is at the end of their term. The newly-elected Council will have the opportunity become a founding signatory of the first national declaration from cities and regions across Canada to collectively accelerate the initiative through municipal procurement.

Council also:

•          upheld property tax penalties for Tax Roll #22368
•          approved the submission of an Expression of Interest for the 2021 Forest Resource Improvement Association of Alberta (FRIAA) grant for $30,000 to support an multi-jurisdictional emergency management field exercise next spring based on a wildland urban interface fire scenario to test our Municipal Emergency Management Plan, Structure Protection Plan, and Evacuation Plan. For more info about Town of Canmore FireSmart, visit: FireSmart