2024 Annual Report Draft

Message from the City Manager

The City of Courtenay's 2024 Annual Report highlights significant progress across key areas impacting our community's well-being: affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure development. We've demonstrated our commitment to addressing critical social needs, mitigating climate change and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. These accomplishments underscore our proactive approach and the collaborative spirit that defines our community. This past year has seen significant advances in affordable housing. Construction is imminent on a new permanent shelter and supportive housing at Braidwood Road, a collaboration with BC Housing that will directly address critical social needs in our community. We've also made substantial progress in streamlining the development process to increase housing supply. Our focus on implementing zoning changes in accordance with the Strengthening Communities Housing Supply Act (Bill 44) is key to this effort. These changes are designed to increase flexibility and efficiency in community planning through a diverse range of housing options that meet the evolving needs of our community. This includes increased density in appropriate areas and reducing barriers to development. The City collaborated with our curbside collection contractor on their new fleet of 100% electric waste collection trucks, and introduced four electric trucks to our own municipal fleet. Federal grant funding also helped offset the cost of installing five new charging stations at our Operations yard, and electrifying 80 per cent of our small gas powered landscape equipment. These upgrades represent a major leap forward in our proactive approach to mitigating climate change. We are proud of our close working relationships and collaboration with our government partners in the Comox Valley, and continued strengthening of our relationship with K’ómoks First Nation. Looking ahead, we remain steadfast in our commitment to enhancing transportation infrastructure, refining housing policies, and protecting our environment. While challenges remain, our team's dedication to multiple project timelines ensures we meet Council's strategic priorities. As we present the 2024 Annual Report, I want to emphasize how your City staff are diligently carrying out Council's vision. This past year's accomplishments in housing affordability, sustainability, equity, reconciliation, and community well-being demonstrate our unwavering commitment to building a brighter future for Courtenay. The progress we've made is a testament to the collaborative spirit of our community and a powerful indication of what we can achieve together. Geoff Garbutt, MCIP RPP City Manager

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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