New tax targeting empty homes in Canmore stirs divisions in Alberta mountain town
Canmore, Alberta is drawing a line in the snow. Starting in 2026, homeowners who leave their properties empty more than half the year will face a steep new “livability tax” — over $6,000 annually for part-timers. Town leaders say it’s a response to hollow neighborhoods and skyrocketing housing costs, with the revenue earmarked for affordable housing. Critics call it unfair and divisive. Supporters call it overdue. As mountain towns across Canada wrestle with affordability, Canmore’s bold step could set a precedent others soon follow. Matthew Scace with The Canadian Press has the full story.
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