City of Courtenay is a Champion Supporter of the Partnership for Water Sustainability
Note to Reader:
In December 2012, the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC recognized the City of Courtenay as a Champion Supporter in appreciation for the City’s support for the efforts of the Partnership. The demonstrated commitment by the City to achieving a shared vision for water sustainability in a local government setting is vitally important to the Partnership’s capability to carry out its mission in delivering the Water Sustainability Action Plan for British Columbia.
Commitment to Regional Team Approach in the Comox Valley
Since 2007, the City has been a champion for the CAVI-Convening for Action on Vancouver Island initiative. The City hosted Comox Valley forums and/or Learning Lunch Seminar Series in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012. The commitment of the City to a ‘regional team approach’ is underscored by the fact that the City’s Derek Richmond is the current CAVI Chair.
Annual Learning Lunch Seminar Program
The story of Courtenay’s contribution to the ongoing success of the CAVI-Comox Valley Regional Team is told elsewhere on the waterbucket.ca website. Click on the links below to read about the annual Learning Lunch Seminar Series.
- 2008 – Change the Way We Develop Land to Protect Stream Health and Create Liveable Communities
- 2009 – Getting Ahead of the Wave: An Integrated Watershed Approach to Settlement
- 2010 – Comox Valley Developers Dialogue
- 2011 – A Regional Response to ‘Infrastructure Liability’: Collaboration, Adaptation and Risk Management
During the period 2008 through 2011, the series were open to all. In 2012, however, the process was an internal one. The goal was to move from awareness to action. An outcome was a Draft Landowners Guide for Water-Wise Development in the Comox Valley.
Council Response to Champion Supporter Recognition
“The letter recognizing the City as a Champion Supporter of the Partnership for Water Sustainability in BC was very well received by City Council. The ‘good news’ nature of this agenda item generated about five minutes of conversation and statements from Council members,” reports Kevin Lagan, the City’s Director of Operational Services.
Mayor Larry Jangula congratulated staff, in particular Derek Richmond for his work as Chair of CAVI, and also Kevin Lagan. “You have both produced excellent work on water sustainability within the City and for the province in general,” stated the Mayor.
Councillor Ronna-Rae Leonard said: “This is a real accolade that Courtenay has received relating to water sustainability for both the City and the Georgia Basin.”
Councillor Jon Ambler commented: “That it is important the public sees a practical and tangible outcome for the work that the City requires and the development community produces to improve rainwater management.”
“I was surprised and very pleased to see the City and staff recognised for the work we have performed on Rainwater Management and Water Sustainability,” stated Kevin Lagan in response to the comments from Mayor and Council.
“This supports and complements the over-arching goal of the Comox Valley CAVI group to collaborate as a regional team towards a consistent approach of planning and acting on a watershed basis,” added Derek Richmond, Manager of Engineering.
