2024 Annual Report Draft

Social infrastructure Social infrastructure is made up of foundational services and networks that support local quality of life. They are provided in response to the basic needs of communities to provide more equity, stability and social well-being. The development of a Community and Social Development Framework in 2024-2025 will guide many of the strategic priorities outlined below.

Strategic Priorities 2023-2026 Status

Notes

The City is developing a Community and Social Development Framework that will identify priorities and initiatives to support the growth and enhancement of childcare services. Information on childcare will be provided via Complete Communities. The City is also actively involved in the Comox Valley Early Years Collaborative and childcare will be considered in the ACC Bylaw. In 2024, a 124 seat daycare was approved and construction is anticipated to commence in 2025. The City is collaborating with community agencies to provide day services and exploring its role in offering social support services. This includes planning for the future of the Connect Centre and purpose built shelter and day service spaces. The Braidwood development approved by Council in 2024 will provide permanent shelter and supportive housing that will move the current Connect Centre services to this location. The City also administered the Strengthening Communities Grant, which concluded in 2024. Initial work has been completed, including targeted staff training, Council training, updates to the Communication and Engagement Plans, and the completion of the Equitable Language Guide. However, due to capacity challenges and emerging issues, the project is currently on hold. The timeline has been extended to 2026, and progress may require priority adjustments or additional resources. The original 2023-2024 timeline was impacted by the Provincial Housing Legislative Deadline. Following updates to the OCP to align with provincial regulations, Complete Communities and the Housing Needs Assessment, the City will develop metrics to track progress on the OCP's key focus areas and ensure alignment with overarching goals. The Community and Social Development Framework, consisting of the Better Together and Neighbourhood Network strategies, was presented and endorsed by Council in summer 2024, with initiation set for 2025. The City will define its roles and responsibilities in the delivery of social infrastructure, together with community partners, to support the strengthening of Courtenay's social fabric. Once the Community and Social Development Framework is completed, the City will create an implementation plan to define internal and external roles. The goal is to build connections within the community and prioritize collaborative actions to meet social needs, transform systems and influence public policy.

Participate in discussion on regional childcare space development, and explore incentives to support development of childcare spaces.

Ongoing

Continue working with community agencies to deliver day services. Explore the City's role in the provision of social support services, including the future of the Connect Centre.

In progress

Review City operations with a social equity, reconciliation and anti-racism lens and develop corporate policy.

Not started

Develop measures and criteria to track progress for the Official Community Plan (OCP)'s four cardinal directions: reconciliation, community well-being, equity and climate action.

Not started

Identify roles for the City in the delivery of social infrastructure outlined in the OCP.

In progress

Implementation plan for delivery of social infrastructure.

Planned 2026 - 2027

City of Courtenay | 2024 Annual Report

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