Letters to the Editor, Jan. 23, 2026: ‘Crowds spoiling allure of Banff’

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Banff not what it was

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Given the Skijoring fiasco in the Banff townsite this past weekend, it’s becoming increasingly clear neither the Town Council nor Parks are capable of curbing the number of visitors and vehicles coming to the townsite and park. What has happened to this once-beautiful, pristine alpine town? Due to unrestrained development, the 4-square-kilometres of the townsite is bursting at the seams, all as the result of greed and pursuit of the mighty buck. The town has essentially evolved into an inordinately commercial shopping, entertainment and hotel destination that really has no place within a National Park. So what’s next, putting in a bid to host a future Winter Olympics? Perhaps a casino or two? How about some amusement rides? The town has essentially turned into everything I would want to escape from. But with the parking fees going up to $12/hour during the peak summer season, I don’t think I could afford to visit in any case.

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BOB GRUNDIE

(Still a beautiful place, but, yeah, the crowds can be maddening)

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Socialist silliness

I am always in disbelief when socialists blame capitalism for their policy failures and the ensuing economic stagnation. It’s never their hare-brained ideas that ignore basic economic principles. It’s easier for them to blame capitalism than to admit to the shortcomings and flaws of their ideology. Socialists are absolutists. They never look at their policies or ideas and think to themselves, ‘Ya know, this is not working, let’s try a different approach.’ No, they’ll continue to go 90 mph down a dead-end street.

JEFFREY ANDERSON

(Doubling down is generally a bad idea)

Let’s hear some options

It’s no secret our health-care system is in a critical condition. I would like to remind both Premier Smith and Naheed Nenshi that they and all MLAs are elected to serve the people. However, I am so tired of Nenshi, who always wants to be seen as the smartest one in the room, whining about how bad everything is. How about stepping up with some concrete and positive suggestions as to how to improve the situation instead of bleating out his usual nothingness. If he could have any good ideas, both parties could work towards benefiting the citizens.

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ALEC BAYES

(He’s pressing for a state of emergency)

Quit your whining

So all you woke crowd and so-called militant union wags, how does it feel to have egg on your face to have to eat humble pie? The first of the recall petitions has failed, well short of the required 16,000 votes. Watch all the others, including Premier Smith’s riding fail as well. Ordinary Albertans are fed up with your childish antics, and are more concerned with getting on with their future, instead of having to put up with your idiotic notions of grandeur. Get off your soapboxes, whiners.

BRUCE HAYNES

(The proliferation of recall petitions was nothing more than a nuisance)

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