Planned purchase to preserve wetlands near Qualicum Beach decades in the making
Following decades of advocacy, Hamilton Marsh near Qualicum Beach appears on its way to becoming a protected area. Earlier this month the Regional District of Nanaimo announced it had reached a conditional agreement with Mosaic Forest Management to buy 360 hectares of land for $30 million. That land includes the marsh itself, which is about 36 hectares in size, and a mature forest, that if undisturbed, will reach old growth status within 150 years.
The purchase will require long term borrowing of over 21 million dollars, to be paid back over 20 years.. For an average Nanaimo household, it’s expected the annual repayment cost will be around 19 dollars. The RDN is also looking to raise $7.5 million from partners like the provincial government and conservation groups. The Nanaimo and Area Land Trust (NALT) has committed to raising $250,000. Midcoast Morning met up with longtime advocate Ceri Peacey at the marsh, and spoke with NALT Executive Director Paul Chapman in studio.
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Island Corridor Foundation looking at regional projects, CEO makes presentation to Nanaimo council
The Island Corridor Foundation’s CEO wants Nanaimo’s planning department to keep the potential of the old rail corridor in mind. Thomas Bevan spoke at a Nanaimo city council meeting Monday night to provide an update on the work of the Island Corridor Foundation, as they look to determine the future of what was once the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway. Midcoast Morning spoke with Bevan about the current state of the corridor.
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New president hoping to help VIU navigate financial challenges in first year at the helm
It’s a new year at VIU, and there’s a new president on campus, looking to help steer the school through its financial challenges. Dennis Johnson was appointed as interim president in June. His tenure will be up to two years. Midcoast Morning speaks with Johnson, as well as VIU Students Union Board Chair Sarah Mei Lyana about hopes for the upcoming school year.
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“Restore” celebrates expansion aimed at saving materials from landfill
A new partnership between Habitat For Humanity’s Restore and non profit Lighthouse’s Building Material Exchange program aims to save construction material from the landfill. The Nanaimo Restore, which sells donated construction material and home furnishings, celebrated an expansion as well as the launch of the new partnership at an event Monday. Proceeds from the Restore go to Habitat for Humanity Mid Vancouver Island, which has a goal of building affordable housing. The organization most recently completed a housing project in 2021. Midcoast Morning spoke with representatives from the Restore, Lighthouse, and Habitat For Humanity Mid Vancouver Island.
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Commercial Street Night Market wraps up sixth season in Nanaimo
Nanaimo’s night market continued to grow this year, according to its organizer. Midcoast Morning visited the market ahead of the final 2025 edition Thursday night. Plus, the Picnic in The Plaza aims to bring the community together downtown on Sunday.
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Mid Island prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day
Midcoast Morning hears about events in Nanaimo and Parksville to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Plus VIU instructor Sarah Lovegrove, Vice President of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association speaks about the day in the context of a backlash against harm reduction.
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New BMX track coming to Cedar / Skateboarding block party on Victoria Crescent
A new BMX pump track is coming to Cedar, funded by the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation. Midcoast Morning speaks with Foundation founder Michelle Corfield. This weekend on Saturday, Primary Skateboards is hosting it’s third annual block party on Victoria Crescent in Downtown Nanaimo, Midcoast Morning speaks with co-owner Jordan Pletz and longtime skateboarder Rigo Gonzalez.
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Former MLA says Cowichan title decision “predictable result of generations of political inaction”
Adam Olsen wrote in The Tyee this week that this month’s BC Supreme Court ruling that recognized Cowichan title to a section of lands south of the Fraser River was “part of a legal trajectory the Crown has been warned about for decades.”
Olsen joined Midcoast Morning to share his perspective on the case.
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Community based research initiative sharing DIY method to improve indoor air quality during wildfires
With wildfires bringing smoke to the region, Midcoast Morning spoke with researchers about what we know about its health impacts, and heard about a community based research project aiming to help people use DIY tools to improve air quality.
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Cowichan transit strike passes six month mark
Transit workers in the Cowichan Valley have been on strike since Febraury 8th. Last week workers voted against going to binding arbitration to settle the dispute with contractor Transdev. Midcoast Morning speaks with a Unifor representative, as well as the Mayor of Lake Cowichan, and a case worker with the Cowichan Brain Injury Society
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BC Green Party leadership hopefuls speak ahead of membership deadline
The BC Green party is getting set to choose a new leader. Three candidates are in the race to replace Sonia Furstenau. Voting will happen in September. To be eligible to vote in the contest a person needs to be a member of the party ahead of a deadline Sunday August 10. Midcoast Morning speaks with each of the candidates in the race.
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Exploring council's call for sober housing in Nanaimo
Nanaimo City Council is calling on BC Housing to contemplate sober housing for those who qualify for supportive housing and who are in recovery. Council also wants to see a sober housing model used for a planned site at 250 Terminal avenue. Midcoast Morning speaks with B.C.’s new Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs Christine Boyle, as well as Francesca Plewes, a person in recovery who now manages a Nanaimo supportive housing site.
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"Healthcare infusion" continuing to attract U.S. workers to Nanaimo
Months after Tod Maffin’s Nanaimo Infusion garnered the city international attention, stories of healthcare workers moving here continue to circulate. The Nanaimo infusion was an event in April that attracted hundreds of visitors from the United States come to the city. It started when Nanaimo resident Tod Maffin mused about the idea in a TikTok that went viral.
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Nanaimo meets new housing target, but no new affordable units built in last year
Nanaimo has met its provincial housing targets this year, but it didn’t add a single unit of affordable housing.There were 875 units issued occupancy permits issued in the last year in Nanaimo. Just over 100 supportive housing units also came online through the provincial HEART & HEARTH program.
The vast majority of new housing in Nanaimo is rental housing, with a relatively balanced mix of one, two, and three or more bedroom units.
The vacancy rate has risen in the past few years, currently estimated at 2.9 per cent, approaching the 3 per cent level city staff suggest is needed to help create a healthy rental market.
Provincial legislation in 2023 created housing targets for municipalities. City staff presented a report sharing Nanaimo’s progress towards meeting those targets at a council meeting this past Monday. Lisa Brinkman, Manager of Community Planning with the City of Nanaimo, spoke with Midcoast Morning about the year in housing.
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Invasive European Green Crabs, and what to do with them
When you think of invasive species on the West Coast, you might think of Scotch-Broom or English Ivy or European Wall Lizards. The Gabriola Island Shore Keepers Association is thinking of a different invasive species, the European Green Crab. They're hosting a talk Tuesday evening with Christine Spice about the crab and preventing their spread. Today on the program we speak with Isabel Pearsall, a volunteer of the organization, about this invasive species and also about what the association is doing more broadly in the community. We also speak with Tom Therriault from Fisheries and Oceans Canada for further information about the crab and Nick Wong from the Invasive Species Council of BC about how we can prevent their spread.
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Nanaimo council weighs future of drop-in homeless hub
The future of a drop in centre and overnight shelter in the south end was the subject of extensive discussion at a pair of council and committee meetings this past week.
The Hub is a facility on Nicol Street and Victoria Road that offers daytime services for people experiencing homelessness run by Island Crisis Care Society, and an evening shelter run by the Nanaimo Family Life Association. Between a Finance and Audit Committee Meeting and a Regular Council Meeting, council heard from more than ten community members about the impacts they feel the service has had on their neighbourhood. Council ultimately voted to extend funding for the site through the end of next winter. Nanaimo City Councillor and south end resident Erin Hemmens spoke with Midcoast Morning about the issue.
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Qualicum Beach calls planned golf course purchase "once-in-a-generation opportunity"
Qualicum Beach has a plan to acquire tens of acres of green space without raising taxes. The town has reached an agreement to buy the Eaglecrest golf course for $8.5 million. The goal is to cover the purchase price by selling about ten per cent of the newly acquired lands, which would then be developed into housing. It’s anticipated there will be around 40 acres of new parkland, with a 9 hole golf course continuing to operate. The deal is subject to due diligence and public consultation. The town’s director of planning and community development speaks with Midcoast Morning about the plan.
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Nanaimo Fringe Festival hits 15 years
Running August 7th to 17th the Nanaimo Fringe Festival returns for its 15th anniversary! A milestone year, the “the little Fringe that could” is yet again bringing an assortment of creative acts from across the continent to Nanaimo for ten days. We talk fringe with the organizers and performers.
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55+ BC Games in Nanaimo this fall
With the lighting of the torch for the 55+ BC Games having happened this past June 19th and with just over a month and a half until competition starts in September. Today on the show we have former two term Nanaimo City Councillor and Host Society President Diana Johnstone on to talk about the big event. Leann Rose Crook, Director of Participant & Volunteer Services joins her.
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Land purcahsed for South End Community Centre & parking minimum changes for downtown
On July 7th, the City of Nanaimo moved forward this past week on a long-standing need for recreational and gathering space in the south end of the city, with the purchase of land in Chase River for a South End Community Centre. Mayor Leonard Krog speaks with Executive Producer Jesse Woodward about the purchase, and the project. At that same meeting, council also finally adopted its amended off-street parking regulations bylaw after three previous readings of the amendment. This decision removes off-street parking minimums in a part of downtown Nanaimo referred to as the Downtown Urban Centre. Michael Basilli of Strong Towns Nanaimo, joins the show to discuss that decision, and their thoughts regarding parking reforms in Nanaimo.
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