Courtenay is a Canadian city in British Columbia, Canada. Courtenay is on the east coast of Vancouver Island. The current mayor of Courtenay is Greg Phelps. Courtenay has a population of 21,940 people as of 2006. A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the west of Courtenay a lot of chimneys were destroyed, there was also damage to the post office and the Courtenay elementary school. It was the largest earthquake to hit Vancouver Island.