Official Community Plan

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5. More Space for and Time in Nature Natural assets will be recognized as powerful allies in climate action and essential to citizen quality of life and will therefore be protected, reclaimed, and expanded throughout Courtenay. Nature will be invited into our neighbourhoods by making space for it, increasing opportunity for residents to recharge and connect.

7. A City for Everyone Courtenay will ensure equity is integrated into planning and design considerations, so that everyone – including racialized people, newcomers, 2SLGBTQIAP , women, persons with disabilities, children, youth, and elders – are equal participants in the city and in city building.

"Everyone should be welcome to thrive in our community." - Courtenay Resident

"If we want to stay a vibrant community with nature at our back door, [protection of nature] is imperative." - Courtenay Resident

8. Economic Success Emerges from Community Values and Place Economic success will be viewed holistically through the intersecting dimensions of environmental, social and economic systems. Courtenay will invest in the foundational conditions for high quality of life including unique and delightful public places, streets, housing choices for all, parks and recreational opportunities, a clean and protected environment, and inclusive municipal government services. "Affordable living means people have money to live & spend in their local communities." - Courtenay Resident

6. Love for Local Culture and Places Spaces that spark public life in the downtown, in town and neighbourhood centres, and throughout the city will be strengthened and expanded. Courtenay’s renowned natural backdrop will form the basis of place making, ripe with opportunity to layer in cultural expressions of art, heritage, and distinct Courtenay identity including of and with Indigenous peoples.

9. Investing in Relationships The City of Courtenay will value the

contributions of all its citizens, nurturing and practicing a culture of proactive involvement in local government reconciliation and all community decisions by creating new avenues for community participation and action.

"I would like to see partnerships with First Nations, BIPOC the homeless, rural constituents, [and] our food providers/ farmers." Courtenay Resident [black, Indigenous, people of colour] communities,

"They say a small corner lot with a tree will create a lot of buzz in a densely built-up area. Diversity is key in nature, so why not follow that same powerful rule?" - Courtenay Resident

City of Courtenay OCP Background Report PART A Foundations