Canmoreland CLT first started as the Housing Affordability and Sustainability working group during Phase III of the Moving Mountains Initiative from January to April 2023. Moving Mountains was a $400,000 grant funded through the Province of Alberta’s Civil Society Fund and was a collaboration between the Town of Canmore, Town of Banff, and Banff Canmore Community Foundation.
The phase three working group determined fairly quickly that establishing a legal entity under a community land trust model was the fastest and most effective mechanism to fast-track real estate solutions from a community-prioritization perspective. This decision was partly due to the identification that no local mechanism existed to make any real estate-specific donations.
The working group received a $3,000 micro-grant to prove their CLT concept. The program ended April 2023.
In May 2023, the working group expanded to bring data relating to the local Indigenous and Arts & Culture sectors. Understanding how these sectoral needs tie into the space crisis was integral in the co-founding of Canmoreland CLT. The four founding members have been working together in other capacities, including the Town of Canmore SmartStart program in November 2022.
Canmoreland was incorporated under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act on September 1, 2023, and is also registered to operate in the Province of Alberta.
It is operated by a Board of Directors governed by general operating by-laws, and conflict of interest policy, under Roberts Rule of Order.
Three of the four founding members currently make up the Board of Directors, however, it is common practice for CLTs to transition the board to a community-led board and membership base, which is our goal.
Other FAQs Related to Structure & Governance:
+ Is there a conflict of interest in having current board members who are also real estate professionals? No. We need people who have experience in the real estate domain AND people who see elements of the real estate industry as broken.
+ Is there a conflict of interest in having board members who are related, or married to each other? No. Roberts Rules of Order does not address relations, nor spouses specifically. It relies on the notion of “direct personal or pecuniary interest”.
The housing crisis in the Bow Valley dates back decades with many missing middle housing typologies, and an already identified shortage of ~1,000 small-units dating back to before 2016 and not accounting for the post-2020 growth. But housing is just the tip of the iceberg.
The crisis extends across the entire real estate sector, including shortages of available and developable land, affordable and small leaseholds, commercial/retail real estate, adequate community assets, and gathering spaces, on top of housing.
Up to this point, beyond the initial $3,000 grant, we have been self-funded. We have applied for various grants since 2023, unsuccessful to date.
Canmoreland CLT is only the third CLT in Alberta. There were roughly only 25 registered CLTs with the CNCLT at the end of 2023; today there are about fifty, and the network is growing rapidly!
With the CLT movement gaining traction, more grants, seed funding, and community case studies are becoming available and are gaining attention from social impact banks and investors, alternate funders, and through government supported agencies and grants.
The government is pushing for development and there are more government supported funding avenues becoming available. We are currently working on a few different project options and partnerships.
Since incorporating, Canmoreland CLT presented to the Town of Canmore Council on October 17, 2023 (~ 01:45:00 into video). Council indicated that they would issue a letter of support for any grants we apply for, on a case-by-case basis.
Canmoreland CLT has also presented our ideas in person to current Alberta MLA Sarah Elmeligi, who shares some of our concerns.
Additional conversations and in-roads have been made with Federal MP Blake Richards’ office, and the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services office, and Jason Nixon.
With the support of the CNCLT and increase of successes across the CLT movement, Canmoreland CLT is working on the next round of communications and grant applications, including with the federal body, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp (CMHC).
We believe in community empowerment and believe every person can make an impact wherever they are at, and with whatever they’ve got:
From being passionate about the cause, volunteering, donating or simply telling your own housing story - we want to connect and collaborate with like-minded people, like you.
There are plenty of ways to participate:
We are currently accepting donations of time, money, and property.
Monetary donations of any amount are very appreciated and can be made HERE through our website. However, we are not yet a registered charity and cannot issue tax receipts at this time.
Canmoreland CLT does plan to pursue charitable status in early 2026.
In the meantime, tax receipts could be made possible in partnership with a Fiscal Agent for a specific project, or on a case-by-case basis. Please inquire for any specifics.
We are also working with the financial advisor sector, wills and estate lawyers, and professional gift planners to create awareness and resources regarding gifts of wealth, assets, and donating property to a CLT. Sometimes even donating access to a property can be mutually beneficial to the property owner and to the CLT.
Volunteering your time or skills is another form of donation that is just as appreciated.
+ Phase One: Establishing the CLT:
Key activities completed:
+ Phase Two: Incorporation & Governance
Key activities completed:
+ Phase Three: Building Internal Capacity
What's to come:
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