The City of Courtenay is inviting residents to take part in a new public survey to help identify accessibility barriers in our community. Feedback gathered will inform the development of Courtenay’s Accessibility Plan, as required under the Accessible British Columbia Act.
The survey will be available from December 8, 2025 to January 16, 2026 on the City’s Accessibility page at courtenay.ca/accessibility.
Courtenay’s Accessibility Plan will guide how the City identifies, removes, and prevents barriers that affect access to municipal services, programs, facilities, and information. This work builds on the Comox Valley Local Governments Accessibility Framework (2023), a regional collaborative initiative developed by the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, the Comox Valley Regional District, and the Comox Valley Accessibility Committee. The framework outlines shared commitments to inclusion, equity, and accessibility, and emphasizes the importance of engaging people with disabilities and applying an accessibility lens in planning and decision-making.
“Accessibility isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about dignity, equity, and the ability for everyone to take part in community life,” notes Acting Mayor Wendy Morin. “By sharing your experiences, you’re helping create a future where all residents have equal access to the spaces, programs, and services that make Courtenay a great place to live.”
The Accessible British Columbia Act (2021) requires local governments to develop accessibility plans in consultation with an accessibility committee. In Courtenay, this work is supported by the Comox Valley Accessibility Committee, a long-standing community-based group that advises and advocates on identifying, removing, and preventing accessibility barriers across the region.
The survey invites residents to share their experiences with barriers in Courtenay—such as physical, attitudinal, information and communication, systemic, sensory, and technological barriers—across key areas including transportation, the built environment, employment, communication, service delivery, and housing. As Board Chair Brian Charlton explains, “When people can participate fully—whether it’s using City services, moving around safely, or accessing information—it builds a more connected and inclusive Comox Valley. This survey is an important opportunity for residents to share their experiences so we can identify barriers and work together toward real, meaningful improvements.” The framework identifies these barrier types and emphasizes the need for diverse feedback from people with a range of disabilities and lived experiences.
A public feedback mechanism is also an ongoing requirement of the legislation. The survey will complement the existing year-round feedback form currently available on the City’s Accessibility page.
How to Participate
Residents can complete the survey online at courtenay.ca/accessibility beginning December 8. Printed copies or alternate accessible formats are available upon request.
Next Steps
Survey results will help shape draft accessibility actions for the City. Courtenay will publish the Accessibility Plan in the late Spring of 2026, with updates required at least every three years as outlined in the provincial legislation.
For more information or to request the survey in another format, please visit courtenay.ca/accessibility.