Lantzville mayor upset about council erecting ‘roadblocks’ on park cleanup

A proposal for school children to help clean up an empty lot led to a heated debate at the Lantzville council meeting on Wednesday, March 6.

NewsMick SweetmanMarch 12, 2024Lantzville, politics, environment

Leader of federal NDP Jagmeet Singh stops by in Nanaimo

Leader of the federal NDP, Jagmeet Singh stopped by Nanaimo on Friday, March 8.

NewsLauryn MackenzieMarch 8, 2024Nanaimo, NDP, Lisa Marie Barron, Jagmeet Singh

Comox Council hears about the potential impacts of Bill 44 on urban forests

Another local environmental group has spoken to their town council about the potential impacts of recent changes to B.C.’s Local Government Act could have on urban forests in the community.

NewsLauryn MackenzieMarch 8, 2024Bill 44, Comox, Town of Comox

Parksville council defers motion for multi-unit development bylaw amendment for Englishman River

Parksville city council voted to defer a motion that could have seen an Official Community Plan bylaw amendment to limit multi-unit developments along the Englishman River.

NewsLauryn MackenzieMarch 6, 2024Parksville, City of Parksville, Englishman River, Bill 44

Micro apartments coming to downtown Nanaimo

A new building of “micro suites” is coming to downtown Nanaimo after city council approved a development permit for a five-storey 31-unit building at 337 Robson Street.

NewsMick SweetmanMarch 6, 2024Housing, rental, City of Nanaimo, politics

Nanaimo council asks province and feds to protect Harewood Plains

Nanaimo city council is asking the provincial and federal government to help preserve the unique ecosystem in Harewood Plains.

AAP results approves new health and wellness service for Gabriola Island

The Regional District of Nanaimo has approved a new health and wellness service for Gabriola Island.

Short term rentals causing harm in Qualicum Beach says planner

According to a report by Third Space Planning, short term rentals in Qualicum Beach are harming the local housing and rental markets and making life less affordable.

NewsMick SweetmanMarch 1, 2024Town of Qualicum Beach, Qualicum Beach, Housing, rental, short term rentals

Nanaimo council slows down on school zone changes

Nanaimo city council is putting the brakes on removing school zone speed signs that don’t comply with the provincial Motor Vehicle Act.

NewsMick SweetmanFebruary 29, 2024City of Nanaimo, public safety

Minimum wage increase isn’t enough says advocate

BC’s minimum wage will be increasing from $16.75 to $17.40 an hour on June 1st.

NewsLauryn MackenzieFebruary 28, 2024Nanaimo, minimum wage

Affordable housing proposed for Parksville

On February 21, Parksville city council voted to move ahead with an application to allow the development of a non-market rental building at 1225 Franklin Gulls Road by the Parksville Lions Society.

NewsMick SweetmanFebruary 27, 2024Parksville, City of Parksville, Housing

Cumberland Village Council approves exemption to the noise control bylaw for summer concert series

Although the winter weather is still in the air, the Village of Cumberland is already looking forward to their annual summer concert series — and the noise it may bring.

NewsLauryn MackenzieFebruary 27, 2024music, Cumberland, Village of Cumberland, Noise Control Bylaw

Death of 23-year old Sophia was ‘preventable’ says Manly

Paul Manly, executive director of the Naniamo Unitarian Shelter, is speaking out after a 23-year old woman named Sophia — who worked at the shelter — died from an infection after struggling to access primary care.

NewsMick SweetmanFebruary 24, 2024health, Paul Manly, Nanaimo, Nanaimo Unitarian Shelter

Maple Sugar Festival celebrates French culture and maple sugar

The biggest francophone celebration on Vancouver Island kicks off in Nanaimo tonight.

NewsLauryn MackenzieFebruary 23, 2024Nanaimo, francophone, french, music, Nanaimo Francophone Association

$450,000 increase for Seventh Street Pump Station

Nanaimo’s Seventh Street Pump Station is getting an early upgrade after heavy rains in November 2021 overwhelmed the system. During the atmospheric river event, both of the system's pumps had to operate at the same time, meaning if one failed, sewers in the area could have overflowed.

NewsMick SweetmanFebruary 23, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, politics

Workshop teaches the value and importance behind land acknowledgments

With their job at the Nanaimo Art Gallery bailey macabre has to write a lot of land acknowledgements, and this week they will be hosting a workshop to teach the value and importance behind

NewsLauryn MackenzieFebruary 22, 2024Nanaimo, Nanaimo Art Gallery