Background
Over the past decade, Canmore has struggled with an increasingly severe affordable housing shortage. To address this crisis, the town created a livability task force (a diversity of Canmore citizens) in 2023 to recommend new housing policies.
Under the headline “Housing Action”, three measurements were identified, and the task force’s recommendations were accepted by council in January and August 2024.
“Every door in this community has a responsibility to contribute to helping solve our housing crisis … We will see how this rolls out in the coming years, but I’m happy to put my hand in the air to take a step forward in finding new resources to help fund and support our housing crisis,”
Councillor Joanna McCallum
The Three Key Initiatives
1. Limit the Growth of Tourist Homes
Limit the Growth of Tourist Homes through a tax program (Tourist Home Program) and tightened business licence regulations (Regulation of Short-Term rentals)
2. Livability Tax Program (Starting 2025)
Incentivize Full-time Long-term Occupancy of Homes (Livability Tax Program)
3. Incentivize Purpose-built Rental Accommodation >> This project is scheduled for 2025