Nanaimo residents could see a possible 6.4 per cent increase in property tax next year. Last Wednesday, November 22nd, Nanaimo city council discussed a draft of the 2024-2028 financial plan.

NewsLauryn MackenzieNovember 27, 2023Parksville, City of Parksville, Mental health and addication

Parksville residents support treatment centre in emotional public hearing

Parksville city council heard from residents at a packed public hearing about the proposed location of a new mental health and/or addictions treatment facility at 188 McCarter Street on Wednesday.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 24, 2023Parksville, City of Parksville, Mental health and addication

Gabriola health and wellbeing service needs voter approval

A bylaw by the Regional District of Nanaimo to establish a community health and wellbeing service for Gabriola Island is going to an Alternative Approval Process to get the consent of Gabriolans to fund the estimated $103,000 needed to hire a full-time coordinator.

Nanaimo calls for amendment of upzoning bill

Nanaimo City Council voted in favour of a motion to send a letter to all BC MLAs and the UBCM in support of a draft amendment they would like to see towards the recently announced Bill 44

NewsLauryn MackenzieNovember 23, 2023Housing, Ministry of Housing, City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Tyler Brown, Ravi Khalon

Transgender Day of Remembrance marked in Nanaimo

Dozens of people held a candlelight vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance at the historic Bastion in downtown Nanaimo on Monday, Nov. 20.

VI Short Film Festival introduces Youth Showcase

The Vancouver Island Short Film Festival is looking for budding young filmmakers for a new Youth Showcase.

ArtsMick SweetmanNovember 16, 2023Vancouver Island Short Film Festival, youth

Ladysmith considering new town flag

The Town of Ladysmith is looking at redesigning its “cacophony” of a flag.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 15, 2023Ladysmith, Town of Ladysmith, Aaron Stone, Jeff Virtanen, Justin McElroy, Dean McGee, Marsh Stevens

Over 50 local officials in B.C. call for a ceasefire in Gaza

Over 50 members of local governments in British Columbia have signed an open letter urging the Government of Canada to call for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.

Housing minister says Parksville must build more long-term rentals

The City of Parksville is seeking an exemption to the province’s new law on short-term rentals for tourist accommodation areas in the city, but the minister of housing says the city needs to increase the vacancy rates for long-term rentals first.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 9, 2023Parksville, Housing, City of Parksville, Ministry of Housing

At least 1,773 overdose calls in Nanaimo this year

Nanaimo Fire Chief Tim Doyle painted a dire picture of the overdose crisis to Nanaimo city council on Monday.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 7, 2023Nanaimo, Nanaimo Fire Rescue, overdose crisis, health, Sheryl Armstrong, City of Nanaimo

Hundreds in Nanaimo march for a ceasefire in Gaza

About 300 people marched through downtown Nanaimo on Saturday, Nov. 4 calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s escalating war against Hamas in Gaza.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 6, 2023Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Nanaimo, Lisa Marie Barron, protest

Nanaimo—Ladysmith MP calls for ceasefire in Gaza

Lisa Marie Barron, the NDP Member of Parliament for Nanaimo - Ladysmith, is calling on the federal government to support a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip as it enters its third week.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 3, 2023Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Lisa Marie Barron, Sara Kishawi, Justin Trudeau

Nanaimo councillor Tyler Brown to give keynote at Urban Issues Film Festival

Nanaimo city councillor Tyler Brown is the keynote speaker at the 16th Annual Urban Film Festival is taking place on the evening Friday, Nov. 3 at Vancouver Island University. CHLY spoke with him about the challenges, and opportunities, to make Nanaimo more walkable.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 3, 2023Tyler Brown, City, VIU, Urban Planning

City of Nanaimo funds daytime warming centre

The City of Nanaimo has voted to allocate up to $230,000 to Risebridge to operate a daytime warming centre this winter that will run seven days a week between November 14 and March 31, 2024.

Alternative Approval Process for Nanaimo Operations Centre sparks opposition

This is the final week for voters in the City of Nanaimo to file their opposition to the city taking out a loan for up to $48.5 million for the first phase of a new operations centre.

People weigh in on Five Acres Farm affordable housing proposals

Participants at the Five Acres Farm open house were given a sticker to post on one of four options showing where affordable housing could be built, plus a fifth option with no housing development.