Livability
Canmore is one of the most expensive places to live in Canada. With a high cost of living and average rental prices over $1,800 for a one-bedroom, many residents are struggling just to stay here. These high costs, paired with low vacancy rates and rising inflation, contribute to one of the highest income inequality rates in the country.
As someone who’s rented my entire adult life, worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, and been on the Canmore Community Housing waitlist since 2021. I understand how hard it is to build a life here. And I know I’m not alone. I’ve spoken with countless community members, many of them working-class residents and immigrants, who are on the edge of leaving because housing has simply become unattainable. Without affordable homes, we risk losing the very people who keep Canmore running: the servers, cashiers, cleaners, caregivers, tradespeople, and hospitality workers who are the backbone of this community.
If elected, I will advocate strongly for action on the key affordability challenges affecting our residents, including:
Support the creation of more non-market housing through local non-profit housing programs
Partner with developers, landlords, and businesses to offer a range of housing options
Promote daycare co-location within new housing projects, like the Spring Creek model
Advocate for expanded licensed childcare spaces, especially for infants and toddlers (0–2 yrs)
Advocate for provincial funding formulas that reflect Canmore’s high cost of living
Expand community food spaces; indoor gardens, greenhouses, and backyard growing
Support Fresh Food Box programs to meet increasing demand
Partner with grocery stores to build free or low-cost food pantries using surplus or near-expiry items
Encourage the Town to explore new grant streams to fund food access programs
Support temporary shelter programs for individuals experiencing homelessness
Expand public transit to better connect neighbourhoods and reduce car dependency
Improve walking and biking routes for safer, greener everyday travel
Support FCSS Affordability Services Programs that help residents access essential services
Advocate for a multilingual outreach campaign for the Affordability Services Program and other programs to connect more people with services
Make it easier for people to participate in town decisions, regardless of language or background
Everyone who lives and works here deserves a fair chance to stay here. Let’s make Canmore a place where people don’t have to choose between making a living and having a life.