City of Courtenay Official Community Plan - 2026 update

C

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can be unpredictable and sometimes increase, operating costs can be reduced by encouraging compact, walkable communities that make it easier to get around without a car, along with buildings that use energy more efficiently. Costs of externalities: Full cost accounting is an important policy goal of the OCP to consider costs more holistically. This means that external costs associated with climate change, impacts, air pollution, motor vehicle collisions, and other health and sustainability impacts are factored into the policies and in the future will be better accounted for in decision-making. Full cost accounting also recognizes the role that municipal natural assets play in providing ‘free’ services to a community (such as flood control, rainwater management, and cooling urban environments). Another example is considering the costs of other public agencies funded by the single ‘tax payer’. For instance, the City could work with Island Health and School District 71 on specific mandates and budgets where there are mutual benefits and efficiencies. Using active transportation as an example, school districts wish to see kids come to school with some exercise, and reduce bussing costs and safety concerns in the parking lot drop off and pickup. Island Health supports increasing physical activity in our daily lives to address emerging chronic public health concerns that dominate public health challenges today outside of the COVID-19 pandemic. Costs of inaction: Studies show that the cost of not reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change will be much more costly than taking action. This including intergenerational costs that will be deferred to future generations.

PART C Thematic Policies