On the Campaign Trail
October 19, 2021
Banff, I’m honoured and humbled to be your new Mayor. Congrats to the new Council, I look forward to working together for our community. Thanks to all the candidates who ran, I have deep respect for you all. I couldn’t have done this without my campaign team, massive gratitude for helping me go the distance. And thanks to the community for being so engaged in the election, let’s keep the conversations going!
October 17, 2021
The team and I knocked on just over 1,000 doors during the campaign. Here are some of my fav doormats of Banff!
October 17, 2021
Finished doorknocking on a sunny note. Thanks for all the good conversations and feedback, Banff. Time to get out and vote tomorrow!
October 16, 2021
Knockin' on Election Day's door! Let's get ready for Monday, Banff.
October 15, 2021
We weren’t the only ones out pounding the pavement this afternoon. Thanks for the Girl Guide cookies, they fueled the rest of our canvassing.
October 14, 2021
Thanks to the Banff Lake Louise Hospitality Association for organizing last night's Banff Candidates Forum & Mayoral Debate, to Rob Murray for moderating, and the Rocky Mountain Outlook for sponsoring the event. It's now available to watch if you missed it, have a listen to get informed on the candidates before voting on Election Day, Oct. 18.
Link: bit.ly/BanffForum2021
Passcode: D$%m25&q
October 11, 2021
Happy Thanksgiving, Banff! Today I'm especially grateful for my grandparents, Vittorio and Libera, who made Banff their home in the late 1950s. As Italian immigrants, they worked hard to build a life here - working multiple jobs, learning English, and raising a family. I'm inspired by their perseverance every day.
October 9, 2021
Voted!
The next advance voting days are Thursday, Oct. 14 from 3-7 p.m. and Friday, Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Banff Town Hall. Election Day is Monday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Banff Park Lodge. Let's pack the polls, Banff!
October 6, 2021
Rain or shine. We’ve had fun canvassing Park, Rainbow Ave and Valleyview yesterday and today. Thanks for all the front door chats, everyone!
October 6, 2021
A strong supporter of a pedestrian-first downtown during her two terms on council, Mayor Corrie DiManno said she would philosophically support continuing the pedestrianization of Banff Avenue in the summer months.
She noted it has been successful in boosting economic activity and creating a new way for visitors to enjoy Banff.
That being said, understanding the traffic data collected, seeing vehicle flow modelling, examining traffic impacts and hearing feedback from residents and businesses is crucial to a future decision for DiManno.
“This information will strongly influence my decision on continuing with this initiative,” she said.
October 4, 2021
The Pride flag is up and the rainbows are out. It's officially Banff Pride Week in Banff! To see a full list of events, go to https://banffpride.ca/
October 3, 2021
Happy Pride, Banff! Pride Week is one of my favourite times of year in Banff because of how the community comes together to show its support for diversity, love, inclusion, and kindness. I want to wish Banff a safe and fun celebration and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone.
October 2, 2021
It’s been a great couple of days knocking on doors in Middle Springs with the team. I’ve enjoyed having conversations with folks and if I missed you, please feel free to reach out for a chat: info@dimannoformayor.com
October 1, 2021
Facts matter.
Which is why I want to address a couple of topics that have come up in conversation while on the campaign trail. One is to clarify my position regarding Council’s recent discussion on the Terms of Reference for the Railway Lands Area Redevelopment Plan and the other is around Council wages.
“The Gondola”
In 2019, Council approved a Terms of Reference for the Railway Lands Area Redevelopment Plan. This decision included a Mount Norquay Gondola Base Station.
Recently, on Sept. 13, 2021, a Notice of Motion was put before Council to reconsider the 2019 decision of Council by deleting the Gondola Base Station from the Terms of Reference.
To date, Council has not seen a draft of the Railway Lands Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP), Council has only seen a Terms of Reference and a report on the proposed scope of work. Typically, Council would not be shown a scope of work prior to considering an ARP for First Reading, but because of the magnitude and complexity of the project, this matter was discussed at Service Review and direction was then given to Administration to return to Council with the scope of work in advance of a completed ARP being presented to Council. The Notice of Motion arose from Council seeing that scope of work on June 14, 2021.
As such, I voted against changing Council’s prior adoption of the Terms of Reference in 2019 which included a Mount Norquay Gondola Base Station.
My rationale for this decision was:
The Town of Banff and the proponent are well into a lengthy process reviewing background studies, impact assessments and analysis in helping them finalize a draft of the ARP consistent with the approved Terms of Reference.
While one Parks Canada letter spoke to the non-conformance of a previous gondola proposal, the second letter clarified that Parks Canada would indeed review a new proposal for a gondola if submitted and that it would be evaluated on its own merits, including alignment with key policies and legislation.
In my opinion, the developer will have to overcome significant statutory and regulatory challenges to receive approval from Parks Canada for a gondola. In the event that Parks Canada determines that the draft ARP conforms with all applicable statutes and regulatory instruments, they requested an opportunity to review and offer input into the municipality and developer’s public engagement strategy.
This is where I see Parks Canada providing absolute clarity on their position. Only after Parks Canada determines whether the ARP conforms with all applicable federal statues and regulations would Council proceed with its review of the draft plan.
And finally, once a draft ARP (or any bylaw) is accepted and presented for First Reading, Council is dutybound to have an open mind during the public hearing to ensure that decisions are not made before the meeting.
To summarize, Council is obligated to follow the legislated process for the review and adoption of any statutory planning document, including the Railway Lands ARP. As such, it is premature for me to comment on whether I support, or not support, any elements of the ARP that Council has not yet seen.
For your reference:
Here is the agenda package for the Sept. 13, 2021 meeting of Council, which includes both of Parks Canada’s letters: https://banff.ca/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_09132021-1063
Here is the link to the video of the Sept. 13, 2021 meeting of Council: https://vimeo.com/601092574 (1:42 to 2:15 timestamp for this item)
The Notice of Motion:
“Council Wages”
In 2019, Council set the wages for 2020. When Council reopened the budget in April and May 2020, Council made no adjustments to its wages.
However, in February 2021, Council voted unanimously to freeze its wages to 2020 levels, as per this motion:
Then in June 2021, Council passed the Council Remuneration Review Committee’s recommendation for the new 2021-2025 Council’s salary.
In short, Council did not at any time vote themselves a raise during the pandemic and further, it has been in practice since 2013 that the Council Remuneration Review Committee convenes once every 4 years, with the sole purpose of reviewing Council’s total remuneration and making recommendations for the next four year Council term. Basically, the outgoing Council makes adjustments to the incoming Council’s salary based on recommendations from the Remuneration Committee, so that current Council is not making decisions on their own wages.
For your reference:
Motion FIN21-134 can be found on page 90.
The report for the 2021-2025 Council salary can be found on page 44.
I hope this has helped to clarify both topics, but if not, please send me a note: info@dimannoformayor.com and I’d be happy to follow up for a call or a coffee.
September 30, 2021
Powerful afternoon of listening and learning from Indigenous leaders in Banff. I heard strongly that truth comes first and that we must walk the path together for a better shared future. What did you hear? Send me a note to go for a walk to talk.
September 28, 2021
The Crag & Canyon is running Q&A features for all Banff candidates. It's a good opportunity to get to know folks and especially to learn more about me and why I'm running for mayor. Here's an example of a Q&A:
Why are you motivated to run for Council in 2021? Why are you passionate about Banff’s future and why do you think residents of Banff should trust in you to make the important decisions concerning the Town’s future?
"Whether residents or visitors, Banff holds a special place in so many people’s hearts. This love for Banff inspires me to make this beloved mountain town the best it can be for future generations to experience and enjoy. I know Banff can rise to the challenge of having a strong economy, a healthy community, and a protected environment.
I’m energized by the opportunity to lead our community towards this better balanced future. After eight years on Council, my vision for Banff continues to be progressive and I have the leadership skills, experience, and tenacity to be the Mayor for the next four years."
September 25, 2021
Through snow, rain, or shine, I love running in the Melissa's Park Road Race. Happy we got the sun this year! Thanks to the organizers and volunteers who made it a safe and fun race.
September 25, 2021
Banff has a candidates forum on the books! Register to virtually meet and hear from Banff's candidates on Oct. 13: https://bit.ly/BLLHAForum
September 24, 2021
Mayor Corrie DiManno, who was promoted to the top job in August after Karen Sorensen stepped down to take on a new role as a Canadian senator, said tourism fuels Banff’s economy and a successful business sector is paramount to ensuring a healthy community for residents.
“However, it has become clear that we have work to do with our tourism industry to better balance our recovering economy with the needs of our residents who serve it, while protecting our mountain park from an environmental perspective,” she said.
If successful in her run for mayor, DiManno said she will be involved in the development of a long-range vision and plan for tourism in Banff National Park, which is currently underway with Banff and Lake Louise Tourism (BLLT), Parks Canada and the Town of Banff.
“It will guide us on how we can sustain a viable economy, community, and environment,” she said.
“As mayor, I will be at the table as a BLLT board member to assure this forward-thinking process includes genuine and meaningful engagement with residents.”
DiManno said she will continue to support goals from the community social assessment and feedback from the resident satisfaction survey that foster community wellness and help to improve the quality of life for residents.
“I do understand the challenges of sharing our home with the world,” she said.
September 19, 2021
It was a beautiful Banff fall morning for a run. So nice to see everyone out to #TryLikeTerry. Thanks to the Terry Fox Run organizers for all their work!
