Building an Inclusive Bow Valley
Where 2SLGBTQIA+
People Belong, Thrive and Lead
The Bow Valley Pride Network unites Banff Pride and Canmore Pride
to advance 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion across Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and the Bow Valley.
We champion safe and welcoming spaces, certify businesses through our 9 Inclusion Commitments, deliver professional DEI workplace training, empower queer entrepreneurs, and lead research that strengthens diversity and inclusion in Banff, Canmore and the Bow Valley. From community-wide advocacy and public events celebrating lived experience, to inclusive business recognition and workplace education, the Bow Valley Pride Network works at every level to build a stronger, more inclusive regional economy.
The Bow Valley Pride Network provides professional DEI workplace training in Banff and Canmore, certifies inclusive businesses, and supports 2SLGBTQIA+ community advocacy across the Bow Valley.
Setting the Standard
for Inclusion in the Bow Valley
In the Bow Valley, inclusion should not be optional. It should be expected.
The Bow Valley Pride Network sets a clear, measurable standard for 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion through our 9 Inclusion Commitments. Businesses and organizations that join the Network commit to creating environments where 2SLGBTQIA+ people can work, shop, visit and gather safely and authentically.
Our certification is more than a logo. It represents intentional action.
Each member approaches these commitments in a way that reflects their business size, industry and customer base. What remains consistent is the commitment to progress.
For 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors, our certification provides confidence when choosing where to dine, stay, shop or work in Banff, Canmore and across the Bow Valley. For employers, it signals leadership. It demonstrates that your organization understands the importance of workplace inclusion, customer safety and community belonging in a tourism-driven region. Inclusive businesses are stronger businesses. They attract talent, build customer trust and contribute to a resilient local economy.
If you are ready to align your organization with the region’s leading standard for inclusion, we invite you to join the Bow Valley Pride Network.
What our members commit to
The Bow Valley Pride Network is a group of businesses and community organizations that value creating safe spaces for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and have worked to meet the following guidelines:
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Physical spaces within the building are gender-neutral and include permanent washroom and/or change room options.
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We do not assume the sexuality of our guests or staff. We will not include sexuality innuendos in signage, menu items, or merchandise. We do not assume relationship status.
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We do not make gender assumptions of our guests or staff. Our employees are trained in inclusive, gender-neutral language.
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We celebrate non-binary individuals by removing gender from our pricing, events, and products - or by not limiting these to “men and women”.
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Individuals may have an appearance and attire that differs from societal expectations. We explicitly welcome all individuals and focus on behavior, not appearance.
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We recognize that gender diverse people may need extra care when handling IDs or legal forms. We are trained to act sensitively in these situations.
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We have prominently displayed 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive messages in easily visible locations. We are proud of our supportive and inclusive culture.
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We work to stay up to date on the needs of the 2SLGBTQ+ community and provide new information for our staff when it becomes available. We learn from our mistakes and work to correct them.
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We train our new staff in our inclusive values and share our Values Statement with them early in the training process. We recognize that 2SLGBTQ+ folks are often asked to educate others. We commit to take this on as much as possible.
Transforming Workplaces
into Inclusive Spaces
Inclusive workplaces do not happen by accident. They are built intentionally.
The Bow Valley Pride Network provides professional DEI workplace training designed specifically for employers in Banff, Canmore and across the Bow Valley. Our workshops help organizations create environments where 2SLGBTQIA+ employees, customers and visitors feel respected, safe and valued.
In a tourism-driven region that welcomes millions of visitors each year, inclusive service and workplace culture are essential to long-term success.
Our DEI training goes beyond theory. We focus on real-world situations that Bow Valley employers face every day.
We support organizations with:
• 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion fundamentals
• Inclusive language and communication practices
• Gender diversity and respectful workplace culture
• Inclusive hiring and retention strategies
• Customer service best practices for diverse communities
• Policy development and internal reporting processes
Our sessions are interactive, evidence-informed and tailored to your industry, team size and organizational goals.
Practical, Locally Informed Training
Flexible
Learning Options
We offer:
• In-person DEI workshops in Banff and Canmore
• Leadership-focused strategy sessions
• Team-wide training sessions
• Online DEI guides and toolkits for continued learning
This layered approach ensures inclusion becomes part of your workplace culture, not a one-time event.
Building an inclusive Bow Valley requires more than intention. It requires evidence.
The Bow Valley Pride Network leads and contributes to research that strengthens diversity, equity and inclusion across Banff, Canmore and the broader Bow Valley. Our work translates community insight into practical action for employers, policymakers and community leaders.
Grounded in the unique realities of living and working in a tourism-driven mountain region, our research reflects the voices and lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, workers and visitors.
From Insight to Action
Research Rooted in the Rockies
Community-Based Inclusion Research
We conduct and support research that:
• Assesses the state of 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion in local workplaces
• Identifies gaps in policy, safety and representation
• Measures community progress toward greater belonging
• Informs training, advocacy and certification standards
• Supports tourism partners in strengthening inclusive visitor experiences
Our findings guide our DEI workplace training, our 9 Inclusion Commitments and our broader community advocacy efforts.
Advancing Inclusive Housing in the Bow Valley
Access to safe, stable housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Bow Valley. Through our inclusive housing research initiative, BVPN is working to better understand how housing pressures uniquely impact 2SLGBTQIA+ residents.
This research examines:
• Barriers to accessing secure and affirming housing
• Experiences of discrimination in rental and shared living environments
• The intersection of seasonal work, housing instability and identity
• Opportunities to strengthen inclusive housing policy and practice
By elevating this data, we aim to support municipal leaders, housing providers and employers in building solutions that reflect the full diversity of our community.
Inclusive housing is foundational to inclusive workplaces and a thriving regional economy.
Turning Research
Into Action
Research alone does not create change. Action does.
We use data to:
• Inform regional DEI strategy
• Support funding and policy conversations
• Strengthen employer training programs
• Spotlight areas of progress and areas needing attention
• Advocate for systemic improvements across Banff and Canmore
With a unique perspective rooted in the Bow Valley, our work ensures that inclusion strategies reflect the lived realities of mountain communities.
Through research, advocacy and collaboration, Bow Valley Pride Network continues to shape a more inclusive future for Banff, Canmore and the Rockies. If you are a policymaker, employer, housing provider or community leader seeking data-informed insight, we welcome collaboration.