ROB MURRAY: I’m speaking with one of the newest appointees to the Senate of Canada, and now the former Mayor of Banff, Karen Sorensen. First of all, a big congratulations on this huge appointment. That must be a massive honor for you.

KAREN SORENSEN: It really is. It’s a long process, and when I got to the point that it was announced yesterday it became a little bit more believable, but I am absolutely thrilled and completely honored. It’s a big appointment.

RM: How did this all come about? I mean, I had no idea this was in the cards for you.

KS: It’s an open process. I actually put an application in back in 2019, which is how one goes about becoming a Senator. There’s an application through the Canadian government website. I put it in and there it sat, and I guess I put it in thinking, hmm, I wonder what will happen with that? It sounds like an intriguing opportunity. Then, nothing, until I received a text a couple of weeks ago from what is called the Privy Council, saying we would like to have a conversation with you about your application. I was asked a lot of personal questions and was vetted, and then silence for another week. Then I received a text saying they would like to schedule an important follow-up call with me, so that was kind of a hint. That time was scheduled when we were on our way back from vacation, so I was actually in a parking lot at a brewery in Abbotsford with my husband when I received a phone call from the Prime Minister.

RM: Justin Trudeau called you personally?

KS: He did. You get a call from his switchboard saying this is the Prime Minister’s switchboard, Ms. Sorensen, the Prime Minister would like to speak with you.

RM: How did you feel when you got the news?

KS: Thrilled. I was hoping the important follow-up call was perhaps that call so I had anticipation that might be what would be happening, but still, until you hear it…and the Prime Minister said to me that he would like ask if I would be appointed as a Senator for Alberta in the Canadian Senate. I said to Prime Minister Trudeau that it would be my honor to accept, and then we had a conversation for about 15 minutes. That is when I knew I was going to be appointed, but then there’s more time. You have to keep it highly confidential. There’s a lot of paperwork that has to go back and forth. Then, on the 28th, I received a text saying that the Governor General had signed off on the appropriate documentation and therefore from that moment I was a Senator late on the afternoon of the 28th, but it wasn’t public until yesterday.

RM: I’d imagine this must have altered your posts-mayoral plans a great deal. I mean, you’re going to be doing a lot more traveling than you probably anticipated.

KS: Absolutely. I think I said pretty commonly that I don’t believe I’ve reached my best before date, but I didn’t know what that was going to look like. I was just sort of starting to tiptoe around a few options. This will be a huge lifestyle change, but as I’ve said to many, I’m 62 years old, I’ve had three careers now in terms of the hospitality industry, running my own business, and of course municipal politics, and it’s like this whole new world has just opened up to me. I have this new career in front of me at this stage in my life and that’s exhilarating. Carsten is very supportive which is also appreciated. I just can’t imagine if you didn’t have the support of those people around you that love you how you would move forward with confidence, and I certainly have all the support in the world from my family.

RM: Are you going into the Senate with any goals?

KS: My first goal is to start up this steep learning curve. They see every piece of legislation and scrutinize every piece of legislation that comes before the House of Commons. I’m sure that any piece of legislation that would seemingly have a direct impact, not only on the Bow Valley but on Alberta, which is my job to represent Alberta, I will see it through that lens. The topics that are discussed are interesting, diverse, and broad, but I really do need to do a lot of learning in these next few weeks. The Senate is not in session right now. The first important step for me is to understand the committees. There are several committees and every Senator sits on about two of them. I even have to learn how you get appointed to certain committees. I also want to spend time actually understanding who all the other Senators are. There are some very interesting people who sit on the Senate with vast backgrounds, and I think trying to understand who my colleagues are will also be an important way to spend my time over the next few weeks.

RM: I thought we’d end up doing our mayor retirement debrief in September or October, but it seems to be a little bit earlier than anticipated here. You spent 17 years now in municipal politics in Banff. What are some of the things that you’re most proud of from your time on Council and as Mayor?

KS: Seventeen years – six on Council and then 11 as Mayor. I am proud of a lot of things. I thoroughly enjoyed being the Mayor of and being on Council in Banff. It’s a unique opportunity when you have a population of about 9,000 people but you are a world renowned destination. I’ve had so many opportunities small town mayors wouldn’t really have. It’s such a privilege to serve in that role. I will always lift up Roam Transit as something that I am just so very proud of. I watched Roam Transit and the Regional Transit Commission be developed and have watched them grow to what it is today, and I’m just so proud of it. Banff-Canmore, between the communities, and out into Banff National Park which was always the vision. I’m very proud of the differences that these past Councils and the current Council have made on the housing industry. We changed land use bylaws. We built Ti’nu. We’re in the middle of building the Aster, which is for affordable purchase. Watching our vacancy rental and vacancy housing percents go up has been incredibly rewarding. I’m delighted with Bear Street, which is a very recent project that’s been completed. I’m very happy with the solution we’ve come up with for visitor pay parking and resident parking permits. I’m also very proud of the Town of Banff’s financial situation with a 110 year asset plan, and of course our reserves are very healthy. There’s a lot to be proud of. I have asked if I will be allowed to participate in the August 9th council meeting as an invited guest, because I do hope to make some final comments at that meeting.

RM: Do you have any parting words in this capacity in municipal politics to the people of Banff? Although I’m sure we’re still going to see you around here.

KS: I would just add that it has really been my privilege to serve. We live in a unique community that does see over 4 million visitors a year, but we know that is our hometown. That is our community. We’re a very tight knit community. I’m just so grateful to have had that opportunity, and so appreciative of the residents of Banff in so many different ways. We’ve been through some crisis together in the last few years and I’m always so impressed with how community, business, industry, etc., all come together and get us through those very difficult times.

RM: Karen Sorenson, former Mayor of Banff, now off to start her new career as a Canadian Senator. Once again, congratulations. I couldn’t think of anyone who’s more suited to represent the Bow Valley and represent Alberta in the Canadian Senate.

KS: Thanks Rob. I really appreciate it.

Filed under: Banff, Karen Sorensen