Editor:
Thank you for the Feb. 15 edition of the Outlook’s feature on short-term rentals (STRs), including data for Canmore to consider.
Two things stood out to me. Firstly Whistler, a planned tourism destination that has the same economic challenges of staff retention and employee housing, prohibits STRs in residential neighbourhoods.
Second, 65 per cent of Canmore STRs using the Airbnb platform are located “in areas where there are no hotels”. Presumably, then most of Canmore’s STRs are in residential areas. I strongly recommend we adopt Whistler’s model to preserve the safety, peace and integrity of our residential neighbourhoods for actual employees and residents who need the accommodation.
And while we are looking into the nuts and bolts of regulating STRs, let's close the loophole that has been created for self-contained bed and breakfast suites. Many are simply STRs by another name. They can be converted to long-term rentals and made available to residents who are essential to the economic base of our community. Carmen Colborne,
Canmore
