Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a housing issue, it’s a justice issue.

After more than a decade of calling Canmore home, I’ve seen just how hard it’s become for working people, especially immigrants to stay here, no matter how much they give to this community. As a renter myself, I’ve lived the challenges of trying to find a safe, affordable place to live in a town where housing costs have outpaced wages for years. Like many others, I’ve had to make difficult choices between stable housing and financial security. And I’ve watched too many friends and neighbours, often immigrants or frontline workers, pushed to the edge or out of town entirely.

Many immigrants come here full of hope, ready to contribute to Canmore’s economy and community, but they quickly discover that despite working two or even three jobs, they still can’t afford a place to call home. Add to that the language barriers, unfamiliar systems, and lack of representation and it becomes incredibly hard to speak up or advocate for change. Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a housing issue, it’s a justice issue.

Tourism may fuel our economy, but it’s immigrants and working-class people who fuel tourism and so much more. If we lose them, we don’t just lose our workforce. We lose our community’s heart. That’s why I support the Town of Canmore's Livability Tax Program. It’s a thoughtful step toward building a fairer Canmore, one where part-time homeowners contribute to solutions for those who live and work here year-round. Housing and immigration go hand in hand. Canmore is more than a destination. It’s home to people who work hard every day to keep it running. Let’s make sure they’re not left behind.