Photo credit: Kate Maddigan
The update of the 2018 Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP) started in the fall of 2023, with a series of facilitated Community Conversation Cafes on various strategic areas of LEAP.
Next was CCEDA's 2024 Cortes Tourism Plan, followed by the Cortes Passenger Transportation Solutions Project later in 2024.
Outcomes from all of these public engagements have helped inform an update of the draft 2024 LEAP update, available for download below.
In the fall of 2023, CCEDA hosted a series of public engagements to get feedback on the following community topics: Small Business supports, Quality Education, and Local Agricultural Food Security. This input was important for updating CCEDA's Local Economic Action Plan (LEAP) originally completed in 2018.
The following are summaries on the outcomes of these conversation events, along with a downloadable document with lots more information on each.
What do Small and Local Businesses need to success on Cortes?
Sept. 14, 2023, Pioneer Room
Summary: Small Business Priority Actions and Strategic Directions
Encourage local entrepreneurship and offer small business education
Work with the SRD and other community organizations to provide incentives to support small businesses
Encourage the community for greater support of the local circular economy, without also limiting export businesses
Start a business network/guild with regular meetings
Complete a local business directory online
What does quality & accessible education on Cortes look like and how do we support it?
Nov. 16, 2023, Pioneer Room
Summary: Education Priority Actions
Draft a plan to create a more full-some educational strategy for the island, through advocacy, marketing, and fundraising
Create a model of what education can look like when truly place-based and future/eco- focussed
Network with other rural/remote communities to end the rural education crisis
Develop a community education position to inspire a broad culture of life-long learning, from trades apprenticeships and skill-sharing mentorships, to facilitated peer circles for local leaders and healers to support personal growth and wellbeing
Increase community involvement in education through outreach and communication
How can we support a vibrant local food system, while allowing local growers and food processors to earn sufficient livelihoods?
Dec. 7 2023, Gorge Hall
Summary: Local Food Security Priority Actions
Participants indicated that Cortes Island should grow more food year round through:
Funding and empowering a community-wide team of food coordinators/activators, and build common community resources
Complete inventory of arable land on the island for food production
Create more community food networking opportunities, including through the creation of neighbourhood food security hubs
Provide more support for local farmers, with fair wages to grow for the local community
Facilitate the understanding and urgent need for greater local food production
Quadra and Cortes Islands are amazing places to live, work, and play. However, island life can present challenges, especially when it comes to transportation on-island and to off-island destinations. For residents without personal vehicles, and those who cannot or would prefer not to drive, it can be quite difficult to access services or attend events. Cycling and walking are options for some, but not possible for many others, especially due to the nature of the roads and distances that must be travelled. The result is isolation and a reliance on others for help. For residents of the outer islands, these issues are even more extreme.
To address this pressing issue, this comprehensive project was undertaken to explore and identify suitable passenger transportation options that would meet the unique needs of these island communities. Through extensive research, community consultation, and stakeholder engagement, a clear picture emerged of the current passenger transportation landscape and the aspirations of residents....
Read the final report here: