Town of Canmore

Public Hearings

Public hearings are formal proceedings that follow rules set out by provincial and local legislation. The date and time of a public hearing is set by council motion and advertised at least two weeks prior in the Rocky Mountain Outlook and on our Bylaws Pending Approval webpage. To watch a live-stream of the public hearing visit Live Webcast.

Written Submissions
After a public hearing date is set by council, any person may submit comments about the matter under consideration. Anonymous submissions are not accepted and an individual's name must be attached to every submission. Submissions are public documents and are published on this website in the Record of Public Submissions for the public hearing. Any contact information, or other identifying information other than the person's name, will be removed from the document before publication. By participating in a public hearing you are consenting to the publication of your name and your opinion about the matter under consideration.

Written submissions received from members of the public before 9 a.m. two business days before the hearing (typically Friday) will be part of a record of public submissions published by 5 p.m. that day and will be distributed to Council. Submissions received after the deadline, but before the close of the hearing, will be added to the record after the hearing adjourns. To make a submission:

·         Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

·         In person: Canmore Civic Centre, 902-7 Avenue

·         Mail: Town of Canmore. Attn: Municipal Clerk, 902-7 Avenue, Canmore AB  T1W 3K1

Verbal Submissions
Any person may make verbal comments at the public hearing. Presentations cannot exceed five minutes, not including time for questions from Council. If a representative is presenting a written submission on behalf of someone else, they must be able to answer Council's questions on behalf of the other party. Unless otherwise advertised, presentations may be made in person in the council chambers or by using Zoom. Speakers must register by noon on the business day preceding the hearing by contacting the municipal clerks office at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Anyone who has not registered will have an opportunity to speak after registered participants are heard and only if the speaker is present in the council chambers. Public hearings are held in public and are livestreamed and recorded on YouTube. By participating in a public hearing you are consenting to the publication of your name and your opinion about the matter under consideration.

Pre-Recorded Video or Audio Submissions
A person or group may submit their presentation using a pre-recorded video or audio recording, provided the video or audio is played during the hearing by a person who is present either in the council chambers or on Zoom. The person presenting the video or audio must be able to answer Council's questions on behalf of any other party included in the submission. 

Public Hearing Records
After the public hearing adjourns, the municipal clerk will prepare:

·         Minutes of the hearing

The minutes will record:

·        The names of administration and the applicant, or representatives of the applicant, who presented at the hearing; and

·        The names of the members of the public who provided written and/or verbal submissions, along with a general indication of support, opposition, or neutrality, but not a summary of the presentations and/or a copy of any written materials provided.

The record of public submissions will include:

·         Written submissions received from members of the public, and

·         An electronic copy of the video recording of the meeting, if one was made.

Decisions Requiring a Public Hearing
According to the Municipal Government Act of Alberta, Council must hold a public hearing before the second reading of a bylaw, or before they vote on a resolution concerning:

·         Disposal of municipal and school reserve

·         Removal of municipal reserve designation

·         Change to environmental reserve use or boundaries

·         Land use planning bylaws:

o   Land use bylaw and its amendments

o   Municipal development plan

o   Area structure plans

o   Area redevelopment plans

o   Intermunicipal development plans

The Town of Canmore’s Business Registry Bylaw requires Council to hold a public hearing before amending business registry fees. 

The Town of Canmore is located within Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta. In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Canmore area, known as “Chuwapchipchiyan Kudi Bi” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “shooting at the willows”) and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw First Nation, Chiniki First Nation, and Goodstoney First Nation – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play and help us steward this land and honour and celebrate this territory. We commit to working to live in right relations and to advance Truth and Reconciliation.

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