Belonging
People deserve to be valued, respected, and able to access inclusive, welcoming places in their community.
Bow Valley, Alberta
ABOUT CANMORELAND
A community vehicle for lasting local benefit.
Canmoreland acquires, holds, and stewards real estate so that land and space can serve the Bow Valley community—not simply the highest financial return.
COMMUNITY CONSERVATION
Canmoreland is a community land trust: a community-led, non-profit organization created to preserve access to housing, workplaces, cultural amenities, gathering places, and other community assets.
The Bow Valley’s affordability crisis extends across the real estate spectrum. Housing is urgent, but affordable commercial space is also disappearing. Makers and artists need places to work. Young people need places to gather. Local businesses face limited, expensive lease options. Land is scarce, and community needs are too often unable to compete with speculative value.
Canmoreland exists to create a permanent mechanism through which property can be acquired, protected, and used for the highest and best community purpose—now and for generations.
We believe land is a community asset.
We believe every person can make an impact with where they are and what they have.
WHAT GUIDES US
Belonging. Connection. Consideration. Creativity.
Connection
Strong relationships, practical partnerships, and shared goals form the foundation of a mutually supportive community.
Consideration
Fairness, cooperation, reciprocity, trust, and respect help restore balance and support a healthier circular economy.
Creativity
Rethinking familiar systems creates room for new perspectives, culture, beauty, experimentation, and fun.
Canmoreland began as the Housing Affordability and Sustainability working group during Phase III of the Moving Mountains Initiative—a collaboration involving the Town of Canmore, Town of Banff, and Banff Canmore Community Foundation, funded through Alberta’s Civil Society Fund.
The working group identified the community land trust model as a practical way to accelerate local affordability and sustainability solutions, and received a $3,000 micro-grant to test the concept.
Canmoreland incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act on September 1, 2023 and registered to operate in Alberta. It joined the Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts in December 2023 and completed CLT and board training.
WHERE WE ARE GOING
From organizational capacity to a first demonstration project.
Research, incorporation, bylaws, governance, national network participation, and initial community introductions.
Clearer communications, an expanded community-led board and membership, a strategic plan, operating funding, and staff capacity.
Relationships with property owners, landlords, funders, government, advisors, makers, non-profits, and community groups.
Evaluate properties and temporary opportunities, build pro formas, assemble partners and funding, and launch a first demonstration project.