Here are the highlights from the Courtenay City Council meeting held on September 23, 2026. 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 .
Mobile Integrated Crisis Response (MICR) pilot program extension 2026
Council considered extending the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response (MICR) pilot program for one additional year. The program pairs an RCMP Mental Health Liaison Officer with a registered psychiatric nurse to respond to mental health and substance use-related calls, connect people with appropriate supports and reduce pressure on frontline policing.
The program has operated since September 2025 using reassigned RCMP and Island Health resources. RCMP reported that MICR responded to 315 police files between September 2025 and August 2026, with about 70 per cent of those files in Courtenay. The program has also reduced the amount of time frontline officers spend at the hospital for mental health apprehensions.
Continuing the pilot requires funding to backfill the RCMP position assigned to MICR. The Town of Comox has committed up to $100,000, or 34 per cent of the municipal contribution, for one additional year, conditional on Courtenay funding the remaining 66 per cent. Staff estimated Courtenay’s share at up to $185,000, funded through the Police Contingency Reserve. Island Health continues to provide one health position and has indicated it could support a second health position if the program expands.
Action: Council approved a one-year extension of the MICR pilot program and up to $185,000, representing 66 per cent of the municipal funding, from the Police Contingency Reserve.
View the MICR pilot program extension report
Urban Forest Strategy – private tree voucher program and public street tree request program
Council considered two new pilot programs to help grow Courtenay’s urban tree canopy on both public and private land. The City’s Urban Forest Strategy sets a long-term canopy target of 34 to 40 per cent, with nearly 40,000 potential planting opportunities on private land compared with about 5,200 on public land.
The Private Tree Voucher Program would provide eligible residents with a $100 voucher toward the purchase of a tree from a participating local nursery or garden centre. Residents would be responsible for planting and caring for the tree. The Public Street Tree Request Program would allow residents to request a City-owned tree in the road allowance beside their property, subject to site suitability and available resources.
The two-year pilots are planned for 2027 and 2028. The proposed first year would include about 100 tree vouchers and 30 street trees, increasing to about 200 vouchers and up to 40 street trees in 2028. Funding is already included in the financial plan, with no additional funding requested through this report.
Action: Council approved the Private Tree Voucher Program and Public Street Tree Request Program as two-year pilot programs, directed staff to implement them within approved funding and report back after the pilot with results and recommendations for any future continuation or expansion.
Review the pilot program report
2026 Stage 3 water restrictions – summer outcomes and financial implications
Council received an update on the City’s response to Stage 3 water restrictions, which were in effect for 73 days from June 23 to September 3, 2026. During July and August, Courtenay used approximately 1.25 million cubic metres of water, a reduction of 458,158 cubic metres, or 26.8 per cent, compared with the same period in 2025.
The City received and investigated 133 complaints related to potential water-use violations during July and August. Staff focused primarily on education and voluntary compliance, with 14 Bylaw Offence Notices issued where non-compliance was confirmed.
Lower water consumption is expected to reduce the City’s bulk-water purchase costs by approximately $458,158. The amount is preliminary and will be confirmed through year-end reconciliation. Any resulting utility surplus will remain within the water utility and be transferred to the Water Reserve for infrastructure renewal, asset management, conservation initiatives and future water utility needs.
Action: Council received the 2026 Stage 3 Water Restrictions - Summer Outcomes and Financial Implications briefing note.
Sanitary sewer renewal program – cured-in-place pipe (CIPP)
Council received an update on the City’s first use of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology to renew approximately 591 metres of sanitary sewer along Dogwood Drive. The trenchless method rehabilitates existing pipe from the inside, avoiding the extensive excavation that would otherwise affect backyards, utilities, mature trees, fences, sheds and landscaping.
The pilot cost approximately $260,000 and was completed in about two weeks. Conventional open-cut replacement was estimated at approximately $3.55 million and would have taken about six months. The City estimates the CIPP approach avoided approximately $3.29 million in capital costs while extending the sewer’s service life by more than 50 years.
The pilot also reduced property disruption, construction risk and groundwater infiltration into the sanitary sewer system. Staff noted that CIPP will not be suitable for every project, but it gives the City another renewal option where existing pipe capacity, alignment and condition support rehabilitation rather than full replacement.
Action: Council received the Sanitary Sewer Renewal Program - Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) briefing note.
Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3248 – 1201 and 1251 Braidwood Road
Council considered a zoning amendment for 1201 and 1251 Braidwood Road that would rezone the two properties from Commercial Two A Zone (C-2A) to Multiple Use Six Zone (MU-6). The proposed development is a four-storey apartment building with 34 rental units, including 23 one-bedroom and 11 two-bedroom units.
The proposal includes 31 vehicle parking spaces and bicycle parking, with nearby access to transit and planned improvements to the surrounding walking and cycling network. The applicant has also proposed securing three one-bedroom units through a 10-year Housing Agreement and contributing $6,480 toward BC Transit EcoPasses for units without a parking space.
Action: Council gave first and second reading to Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 3248 and directed that adoption not be considered until a Housing Agreement acceptable to the City is executed, the EcoPass contribution is paid or secured through a covenant and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit approves the bylaw.