Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on September 17, 2025. Read the full agenda and attachments for more details.
To learn more about Council meetings — including video recordings, meeting schedules, past minutes and upcoming agendas — visit the Council meetings page.
2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Update September 2025
The City of Courtenay’s 2023–2026 Strategic Priorities Update outlines the progress made on key goals set by Council after the 2022 municipal election. These priorities are based on the City’s Official Community Plan and focus on climate action, reconciliation, equity, and community well-being. The plan helps guide decisions about services, budgeting, and long-term projects. Council has reviewed and updated the plan regularly to reflect new challenges, such as changes in provincial laws and emerging community needs. The update includes a list of completed, ongoing, and upcoming projects, like transportation improvements, homelessness initiatives, and park upgrades.
Some major projects include the construction of the 6th Street Bridge, improvements to Cliffe Avenue, and the development of new pickleball courts and fire hall. The City has also made progress on regional partnerships, cultural planning, and public safety efforts. Many initiatives are still in progress, with timelines stretching into 2026 and 2027. To keep Council informed, updates will be provided three times next year. The strategic plan also helps staff align their work with Council’s goals and ensures that financial planning supports these priorities.
Council received the update and directed staff to update the 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities to reflect the new items and adjusted timelines, and to report back on Strategic Priorities in February, July and September of 2026.
View the 2023-2026 Strategic Priorities Update September 2025 report and meeting video
Building Amendment Bylaw No. 3193- Implementation of BC Zero Carbon Step Code
The City of Courtenay is updating its building rules to include the BC Zero Carbon Step Code, which helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings. Starting January 1, 2026, all new buildings must meet a certain level of low carbon performance (called EL-3), and by January 1, 2028, they must meet a higher level (EL-4). This change supports the City’s goals to fight climate change and make buildings more energy efficient. The update follows feedback from builders and developers and aligns with the City’s Official Community Plan.
Along with adding the Zero Carbon Step Code, the City is making other small changes to its building bylaw. These include clearer rules for building permits, limits on wood stove use, and updates to fees and fines. For example, there’s now a maximum security deposit of $15,000 for large properties to make things more fair. These changes are meant to make the building process easier to understand and follow. Council is being asked to approve the new bylaw in three readings so it can move forward.
Council gave first, second and third reading to the “Building - Amendment Bylaw No. 3193, 2025 (Zero Carbon Step Code)”.
Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 3199
The City of Courtenay is updating its Business Licence Bylaw to remove the special fee for storefront cannabis retailers. This change comes after Council received feedback about the high cost of the cannabis business licence compared to other types of businesses. The current fee for cannabis retailers is $2,500, but under the new bylaw, these businesses would be charged the same as other retail stores, based on their floor size. For example, a store under 4,000 square feet would pay $100 instead. This change makes the fees more fair and consistent with similar businesses like beer and wine stores.
The original fee was set when cannabis retail was new and there were concerns about enforcement costs. staff are now reviewing all business licence fees to better match the actual cost of administration. There are currently five licensed cannabis stores in Courtenay, so removing the special fee will reduce City revenue by about $12,000. Council is being asked to approve the new bylaw in three readings so the change can take effect.
Council gave first, second and third reading to the “Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 3199”.
View the Business Licence Amendment Bylaw No. 3199 report and meeting video