Editor:
This is an open letter to the federal and provincial ministers of housing.
The federal and provincial ministers of housing have put the Town of Canmore between a rock and a hard place. While area structure plans were developing for the Three Sisters area, a review of Statistics Canada census data led to a review of what was needed for affordable housing in Canmore: 25 per cent affordable housing – shelter, rental, and purchase.
In 2021 when the developer balked at providing more affordable housing at a more appropriate percentage, council defeated the two plans. Council recommendation was meant to ensure that housing was meeting the community's needs. Now the province is bad-mouthing the Town for not approving some developments.
Apparently, both housing ministers have not bothered to talk to Town administration, council, or Canmore Community Housing. Such politics is detrimental to people living and working in Canmore.
The challenges faced by Canmore council, administration, and developing needed policies are subject to a lot of internal, external, and now include the ministers of housing politics. A visit to Canmore will show that development is being approved, especially where it meets affordability needs in appropriate areas of the community and has been for decades.
Audrey Rogers,
Canmore
