CAMBA’s 2025 Municipal Election Candidate Questionnaire

 Part 1: Active Transportation 

Vision & Priorities

What is your overall vision for active transportation in Canmore? How would you prioritize improvements to walking, cycling, and rolling infrastructure to support community health, climate goals, and tourism? 

Active transportation can help us simultaneously solve multiple issues we face as a community, including climate change. That is why my vision and priorities for Canmore include transit, cycling, walking, and the infrastructure to support them.

I support continued improvements to our overall transportation system and look forward to the process of updating our Integrated Transportation Master Plan as a community. 

My platform includes the need for a pedestrian bridge over the highway and e-bike and trail safety because these are investments in our active transportation system. 

Further, I would like to explore micro-mobility options for our community, car-share options for the Palliser area, and updates to the Engineering and Design Guidelines that prioritize accessibility and mobility. 

Finally, if re-elected, I would like to continue serving on the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission, which delivers free public transit for Canmore. We need to find a location for a maintenance and storage facility for our future buses. 

Planning & Investment

How would you ensure active transportation is integrated into future town planning and redevelopment? Do you support increased municipal investment in infrastructure such as pathways, bike lanes, and safe crossings - and why? 

The Integrated Transportation Master Plan is a guiding document that gives direction to administration on how we want our transportation system to develop into the future. This plan is key to ensuring active transportation is a priority and that is why I continue to mention its importance during this election. 

I support continued investment in infrastructure. However, given the increasing costs of delivering capital projects, competing priorities for capital funds, and the legislated requirements for delivering specific municipal services, I cannot commit to increasing that amount at this time. 

Part 2: Outdoor Recreation & Trails 

Trails as Community Assets

What role do you think trails (for walking, biking, running, skiing, etc.) play in Canmore’s quality of life, economy, and tourism? 

Trails in our community are our most important asset when it comes to quality of life. They support active living, transportation, tourism, and our economy. They connect us to international competitions and audiences and attract people to our community to visit, recreate, and compete. They keep us healthy and active, connect us to others and create community. 

Trails also represent the best way to develop collaborative frameworks and relationships with other levels of government in the Bow Valley. They span multiple jurisdictions and require us to work together to manage, develop, and maintain them. 

Sustainability & Stewardship

How would you support the sustainability of Canmore’s trail network in terms of maintenance, funding, and protecting sensitive ecosystems? 

The Town of Canmore's Open Spaces and Trails Plan and the Canmore Area Trails Strategy, which the province is developing, are key to supporting the sustainability of our network. These plans and strategies must prioritize economic stewardship, maintenance, and design standards. Funding support is needed and should be collaborative, as our trail network is an investment in our tourism economy and our local community's well-being. We should be able to leverage federal and provincial funding sources that align with our local priorities. 

Partnerships

What do you see as the role of the Town of Canmore in partnering with community organizations on trail development and maintenance? Charitable BN 768499667RR0001 

Collaboration and relationships are key to trail development and maintenance. Partnering with our local community organizations to create positive outcomes for everyone is a no-brainer for me. 

The Town of Canmore should play a role in this, including funding and contributing to this valley's collaborative trail management ecosystem. As we own trails, manage them, and maintain them, we should take a leadership role in establishing these working relationships and setting standards for how we deliver these services to our community. 

Access & Inclusivity

How would you ensure that trails and outdoor recreation opportunities remain accessible and welcoming to residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds? 

The Rick Hansen Foundation has a toolkit for municipalities to examine their accessibility standards, and I want to make that happen.

I am inspired by the vision for the 2026 Paralympics, which sets out to make Canmore the most accessible winter sports destination in North America. 

This would involve changes to the Engineering and Design Guidelines and public consultation. We can make this happen and make Canmore truly welcoming to everyone. 

Part 3: Candidate Perspective 

Personal Connection

Do you personally use Canmore’s trails or active transportation network? If so, how (e.g., commuting, walking, biking, skiing, trail running)? 

That is a huge enthusiastic yes to using active transportation from me. I have delivered my entire campaign by bike. 

My grandmother, Elsie Foubert, lived most of her life in Canmore and never had a driver's licence or car. She loved to bike everywhere, and that is what we did together when I was a child. At an auction at the Miners Union Hall, we bought my first bike, a blue and yellow BMX. 

When people say you cannot live in Canmore without a car, I think of her and how that never stopped her from living here. I bike in the winter and summer, take the bus as much as I can, and am eager to keep the conversation going on active transportation and how it makes our community a better place to live. 

Commitment

In one sentence, what is your position on advancing active transportation and sustainable outdoor recreation in Canmore if elected? 

When we find solutions like active transportation that reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, get more people outdoors recreating, lessen the need for parking downtown, and create a high quality of life for our citizens, we should be investing in them.