Here are the highlights from the City Council meeting held on November 5, 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.
Courtenay Cemetery Fees
Council reviewed the long-term financial outlook for the Courtenay Civic Cemetery, which has served the community since 1953 but hasn’t had its fees updated since 2011. Because the cemetery must be cared for in perpetuity — once someone is laid to rest there, the City is obligated to maintain the grounds — costs have continued to rise while revenues have stayed mostly the same. That’s created an annual operating gap of about $212,000, and the cemetery’s care fund isn’t growing fast enough to fully support future maintenance. Staff also noted that space for cremation options will last for many years, but space for full casket burials is more limited and could run out before 2060 without expansion.
To address this, staff presented three paths: increase fees sharply and reach cost recovery as early as 2026; phase increases over about 15 years and reach cost recovery by 2040; or spread increases over a much longer period, to 2073, which would keep fee jumps smaller but require the City to keep subsidizing the service for decades. Each option tries to balance compassion for families with the need to maintain the cemetery to a respectful standard. Staff also suggested reviewing service levels and exploring new products or services so that the cemetery can remain dignified, affordable, and sustainable for future generations.
Actions:
Council directed staff to draft a bylaw to update cemetery fees based on the option to reach cost recovery by 2026, with annual increases tied to inflation. Council also directed staff to complete a service-level review of day-to-day operations and maintenance, report back with recommendations for improvements, and explore new products or services that could help generate revenue for the Courtenay Civic Cemetery.
Read more about Courtenay Cemetery Fees here
Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan
Council reviewed a long-term plan to shift the City’s vehicle fleet — about 100 units from across Operations, Fire, City Hall and Recreation — from gas and diesel to mostly electric over the next 15 years. Right now, City vehicles use roughly 170,000 litres of fuel a year and make up about 35% of the City’s corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Because Courtenay has committed to ambitious climate targets in its Official Community Plan, the fleet must use much less fuel by 2030 and be close to zero by 2050. The plan maps out which vehicles can realistically be replaced with electric or hybrid models, and when new charging stations will be needed at places like the Operations Yard and Fire Hall.
The preferred approach is the one that moves a little faster — replacing the biggest fuel users first — because it ends up costing a bit less to operate over time and gives the City more certainty about meeting its climate goals. Some vehicles, especially fire trucks and heavier-duty units, don’t yet have practical electric options, so the plan allows those to transition later or use hybrids to protect emergency response. To make it all work, the City will need to add charging infrastructure and adjust future financial plans, and staff will look for grants to help lower costs.
Actions:
Council adopted the Zero-Emission Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan to meet the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target in the Official Community Plan. Council also directed staff to update the 5-Year Financial Plan to include the costs of electric vehicle replacements, charging stations, and electrical upgrades, and confirmed that future fleet purchases will be zero-emission wherever possible.
Corporate Facility Energy Management Update
Council reviewed an update on the City’s Corporate Facility Energy Management Plan, a strategic roadmap for upgrading and retrofitting City buildings to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance comfort for users. Most emissions come from a handful of larger facilities — including the Lewis Centre, Public Works Yard, Native Sons Hall, and the fire hall — which together account for about 80 percent of emissions from City buildings. To meet provincial and local climate targets, which call for a 59–64 percent reduction in emissions from 2007 levels by 2030, the City will need to gradually replace natural gas equipment with high-efficiency electric systems as facilities are renewed.
Three possible pathways were developed for Council’s consideration, each reflecting a different pace and investment level for energy retrofits. Staff recommended Pathway 2 – GHG Emissions Targets, which balances emission reductions, cost, and staff capacity. This approach would meet the 2030 reduction target ahead of schedule while aligning upgrades with the natural replacement cycle of existing equipment. Many of the projects could also qualify for external funding through programs such as CleanBC and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund.
Actions:
Council directed staff to include capital costs associated with Pathway 2 – GHG Emissions Targets in the City’s 5-Year Financial Plan.
View the Corporate Facility Energy Management Update here
BC Transit – Transit Priorities Update
Council received an update from BC Transit and City staff on planned improvements to the Comox Valley Regional Transit System, including two new exchanges in Courtenay and related pedestrian and cycling upgrades. The Downtown Courtenay Exchange will move from 4th Street and Cliffe Avenue to a larger, more central site at 8th Street and England Avenue. The new exchange will include six bus bays and covered bike storage. BC Transit is also exploring opportunities for incorporating local Indigenous artwork at the site.
A second exchange is planned for South Courtenay at Anfield Centre, which will become a key transfer point for routes to Cumberland, Royston, and Union Bay. Council previously requested design changes to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, including a new crosswalk at Cliffe Avenue and 31st Street. Staff recommended installing a pedestrian half-signal at this location to support higher traffic volumes and future growth, with the City contributing $200,000 toward the added cost. Together, these projects—funded in partnership between federal, provincial, and regional governments—will enhance transit safety, reliability, and long-term connectivity across Courtenay.
Actions:
Council endorsed the proposed transit improvements including a pedestrian half-signal at Cliffe Avenue and 31st Street. Council approved adding $200,000 to the 2026 capital budget to fund the City’s contribution toward the South Courtenay crossing, delegated authority to execute lease and maintenance agreements, and directed staff to seek additional funding support from the Comox Valley Regional District Transit Service.
Read the Transit Priorities Update here
Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) Recommendation: Continuation of Free Public Admissions at Outdoor Pool
Council considered a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission (PRAC) to continue offering free public admission to the Courtenay and District Memorial Outdoor Pool. The initiative began as a pilot in 2023 and was extended through 2024 and 2025, during which time pool attendance rose significantly — up 51 percent in 2024 and a further 18 percent in 2025. Swim lesson registrations have also nearly doubled since the pool reopened after COVID-19, highlighting its value as an accessible space for recreation, skill development, and relief from summer heat.
The outdoor pool, now in its 76th year, is nearing the end of its service life. The City is currently conducting an Options Analysis to determine whether the facility should be repaired, renovated, or replaced, with any changes expected to take two to three years to implement. PRAC recommended continuing free swims for 2026, and staff suggested extending the program until the pool closes for upgrades. The estimated annual revenue impact is $45,000, which could continue to be funded through the City’s Gaming reserve.
Actions:
Council approved free public admission to the Courtenay and District Memorial Pool for the 2026 season, allocated $45,000 from Gaming funds to offset projected revenue impacts, and directed staff to include free swims in the City’s financial plan through 2027 or until the pool closes for repair, renovation, or replacement.