Open Letter To The People Who Make Our Destination Possible

On Monday, October 19th, Albertans went to the polls and made an important decision about the future of our province. Albertans voted to remain part of Canada, reaffirming our place within a country built on diversity, opportunity and the contributions of people from around the world.

At the same time, the results of several questions related to immigration have raised important conversations about the future of our workforce and the communities we call home.

For those who have come from other countries to live and work in Banff and Lake Louise, we recognize that these discussions may bring uncertainty and concern about what comes next.

Our international workforce is the heart of Banff and Lake Louise.

You are the people who welcome millions of visitors to our destination each year. You work in our hotels, restaurants, attractions and businesses. You bring energy, experience, skills and perspectives that help make Banff and Lake Louise one of the world’s most recognized and celebrated destinations.

But your contributions extend far beyond the workplace.

You are our friends, neighbours, colleagues and community members. You volunteer, participate in community life, build relationships and make this place your home. The diversity and international character of Banff and Lake Louise are among our greatest strengths, and our communities are better because you are part of them.

Our destination is also an important economic contributor to Alberta and Canada, generating approximately $4 billion in economic output and supporting thousands of jobs. That success would simply not be possible without the dedication and contributions from both our  domestic and international workforce.

We know that attracting and retaining people is one of the greatest challenges facing our tourism industry. Access to international workers and immigration pathways is essential to meeting those challenges and sustaining the businesses and communities that depend on tourism.

As governments consider potential changes following the referendum, the Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association will continue to advocate for policies that recognize these realities. We will work with our members, tourism partners and provincial and federal governments to ensure that the contributions of both domestic and international workers are understood, respected and represented in decisions affecting their future.

We are also taking action to better understand and address our workforce challenges. Our newly announced workforce study will examine workforce wages and total compensation, skills, recruitment and retention, and future labour needs. This research will help inform practical solutions that support the people and businesses who make our destination successful.

While the referendum has raised important questions about what may come next, one thing has not changed: our commitment to the people who make Banff and Lake Louise possible.

On behalf of our members and partners, thank you for your dedication, your contributions and everything you bring to our destination and community.