A labour dispute that’s been impacting ports in Nanaimo and across the province is headed to binding arbitration

Federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the move Tuesday. Foremen at B.C.’s ports have been locked out since November 4th, that lockout came after the union had delivered a 72 hour strike notice for what it called limited job action, including an overtime ban and a refusal to implement tech change. 

Midcoast Morning spoke with port researcher Peter Hall for context on the dispute.

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Published at the end of the 1920s, All Quiet on the Western Front by Eric Maria Remarque tells the story of a young man named Paul who enlists in the German army in the first world war.

It’s newest translator spoke with Midcoast Morning about what the book has to say in 2024.

Plus, in close to 25 years, the Canadian Letters and Images Project has digitized around 35,000 letters from Canadians at war. Project director Stephen Davies speaks about what stands out.

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A pair of cemetery related items were on the council agenda this week in Nanaimo. When Kevin Hills wrote a term paper on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as part of a military history course, he learned that war graves in Nanaimo had been laid flat in the 1960s in a move to make maintenance easier. This week, his action led city council to amend its cemetary bylaw to allow that the graves be put upright at a future date. Hills spoke with Midcoast Morning about his efforts.

At the same time, the city updated its fee structure around cemeteries, which are nearing capacity. Acting Manager of cemeteries David Thompson provided more information about the state of cemeteries in the harbour city.

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Nanaimo is looking at how to make people more aware of doughnut economics, a framework council adopted back in 2020.

An update on the topic was on the agenda at a governance and priorities committee meeting Monday.

Doughnut economics is a way of visualizing the economy that takes into account society’s needs and our ecological capacity.

It was first presented in 2012 by British economist Kate Raworth, who later wrote a 2017 bestseller on the concept.

On the inside wall of the doughnut are society's needs - things like food, housing, income, health, and political voice.

Outside of the doughnut is our ecological ceiling, separated into nine categories like air pollution, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss.

If the economy is functioning as it should, we are in the doughnut - everyone’s needs are being met, but we aren’t blasting past our ecological ceiling.

Raworth contrasts that with what she describes as 20th century economic thinking, which she writes in the book has been fixated on growing GDP as the measure of progress.

Midcoast Morning explores what doughnut economics could mean in practice to Nanaimo

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Nanaimo is looking at how to make people more aware of doughnut economics, a framework council adopted back in 2020.

An update on the topic was on the agenda at a governance and priorities committee meeting Monday.

Doughnut economics is a way of visualizing the economy that takes into account society’s needs and our ecological capacity.

It was first presented in 2012 by British economist Kate Raworth, who later wrote a 2017 bestseller on the concept.

On the inside wall of the doughnut are society's needs - things like food, housing, income, health, and political voice.

Outside of the doughnut is our ecological ceiling, separated into nine categories like air pollution, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss.

If the economy is functioning as it should, we are in the doughnut - everyone’s needs are being met, but we aren’t blasting past our ecological ceiling.

Raworth contrasts that with what she describes as 20th century economic thinking, which she writes in the book has been fixated on growing GDP as the measure of progress.

Midcoast Morning explores what doughnut economics could mean in practice to Nanaimo

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There’s less than a week to go in the city of Nanaimo’s third attempt at an alternative approval process to be able to borrow up to $90 million for upgrades to the city’s public works yard.

People opposed to the borrowing have until 4:30 PM on October 31st to submit a form in opposition.

Midcoast Morning speaks with a representative of a group opposed to the use of the AAP, as well as Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

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Nanaimo city council is considering increasing funding for restorative justice in the community in next year’s budget.

Restorative justice is an approach that seeks to repair the harm caused by crime and violence by addressing the needs of victims or affected parties, holding offenders or responsible parties meaningfully accountable for their actions, and by engaging the community in the justice process.

In Nanaimo there’s a restorative justice program run by the non-profit Connective, formerly known as the John Howard Society.

It has received $50 000 a year from the city for 20 years to help with the program, but as other funding sources have dried up following the pandemic, the organisation is seeking additional support.

At an October 16th Finance and Audit committee meeting, council decided that they’ll consider granting the organisation an additional $100 000 when it comes time to decide on next year’s budget.

Midcoast Morning speaks with the program’s manager to better understand what restorative justice looks like in the community.

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Why tallying the results on election day should be much faster this go around, and record numbers of advanced ballots cast in B.C.’s provincial election. Plus, getting the thoughts of community members on the campaign.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Lantzville Green Party candidate Lia Versavel and Nanaimo-Gabriola Island BC Conservative candidate Dale Parker.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Gabriola Island NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson and Nanaimo-Lantzville NDP candidate George Anderson.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Lantzville Conservative candidate Gwen O’Mahony and Nanaimo-Gabriola candidate Shirley Lambrecht.

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Healthcare was on the agenda for all three candidates in the new Nanaimo Lantzville riding this week.

George Anderson, Gwen O’Mahony, and Lia Versavel debated Wednesday at an all candidates forum at Wellington Secondary school.

Midcoast Morning shares some of the debate, and explores the region’s healthcare needs with Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Chair Ian Thorpe.

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Shnu’a’th, ᐊᑳᒥᕽ Akâmihk, The Other Side, is a new exhibition opening this weekend at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

Running from Friday through to January 12th, the exhibition will consider relations with land, family, and ancestors through interventions in the medium of photography. Artists Eliot White-Hill and Michelle Sound speak with Midcoast Morning about their work.

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With BC’s election campaign in full swing, Midcoast Morning checks in with UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest, and VIU Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie.

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This week Nanaimo city council heard from a group making the case for the city to get rid of minimum parking requirements. At that same meeting, construction downtown on Commercial Street was in the spotlight, with the city making street parking in the downtown area free for the duration.

Midcoast Morning speaks with Caelen Middleton of Strong Towns Nanaimo about parking minimums, and James Knight with the City of Nanaimo about the construction project underway on Commercial Street.

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There’s a byelection this weekend to decide on a new school board trustee.

Two candidates are running to fill the vacancy left by former school district 68 board chair Charlene Mckay, who resigned in May.

On Saturday September 14th, from 8 am to 8 PM, voting will be held at the McGirr Elementary Gym, the Laydsmith Secondary Gym, the Cedar Secondary gym, and at the district Administration centre on Wakesiah Avenue.

There’s also a special voting day Thursday from 3 to 7 at the Gabriola Elementary School Gym, and on Friday at the District Administration Centre on Wakesiah Ave, Nanaimo

Midcoast Morning hears from the candidates.

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At a ceremony at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre Thursday, Laurie Grubb, Joshua Waltman, Amanda Hall, and Peter Sinclair were presented with the King Charles the third coronation medal.

Last May it was announced that 30 thousand such medals would be awarded across Canada to individuals who have made a significant contribution to their country, province, region, or community.

Midcoast Morning hears from each of the recipients, to learn more about the impact they’ve made on Nanaimo.

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Generative AI and Elections are in the spotlight in a new report from UBC’s Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions.

The report identifies that Gen AI-created audio, video, and images have appeared in many election campaigns this year, including in Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

With BC’s own provincial election just around the corner, Midcoast Morning speaks with the report’s lead author, Spencer McKay

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Could the Hullo ferry transform Nanaimo into the public transit hub of Vancouver Island?

Urban planner and self described transit nerd Denis Agar thinks so.

He worked at trans link for a decade before leaving to become executive director of a non profit transit advocacy group called Movement.

The Hullo is run by the Vancouver Island Ferry Company.

It’s been sailing for over a year as of mid August, offering passenger only trips between the cruise ship terminal in Nanaimo and Canada Place in Vancouver 

It’s the final long weekend of the summer and the BC government issued a release advising drivers to plan ahead with heavy traffic and congestion expected on B.C.’s most popular routes.

Agar says fundamentally, his hub proposal would mean people could get around Vancouver Island without a car.

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A Gabriola Pub is facing a court ordered sale, in the midst of foreclosure proceedings.

The Skol Pub near the Gabriola Island Ferry Terminal is listed for sale at $319, 000.

According to a Notice of Application filed with the BC Supreme Court Monday, and obtained by CHLY, the mortgage holder, Accountable Mortgage Investment Corp, will seek an order approving the sale on Monday September 23rd.

The notice of application states that a prospective buyer has come forward, and that the realtor for the property has stated that at least 4 realtors have indicated they believe their clients will be submitting competitive offers to court.

Under BCs sealed bid process for foreclosures, the deadline for bids is 4 PM, 2 business days before the hearing for sale approval.

That means anyone interested in submitting a bid for the Skol has until Thursday September 19th.

The Skol was last sold in 2014, details related to that transaction emerged in a BC Supreme Court decision earlier this year.

Midcoast Morning explores memories of the Skol.

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