Running 28 minutes, Midcoast Morning covers local news and current affairs happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea. Midcoast Morning focuses in on one big story per show, interviewing reporters about their stories, as well as those making news and those impacted by it. We also feature the curators and creators in our local arts and culture scene. Midcoast Morning broadcasts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 8:30 A.M.. The podcast edition releases at the same time.
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Lauryn Mackenzie — Host and Producer.
Jesse Woodward — Executive Producer.
Arbie Fru — Technical Assistance.
And other contributors in our news department.
Have a lead on a story? Feedback regarding an episode? Drop us a line. We read all of our emails, and respond when we can.
As Nanaimo gets ready to turn the page on 2023, we’re taking a look at the year in books.
In this episode, we explore the world of Literacy Central Vancouver Island, and hear from an independent bookseller in Nanaimo about the year in letters.
Read MoreInternational students have received some answers about how much they’ll be allowed to work over the coming months.
The federal government provided an update on a number of temporary policies impacting international students, which had been set to expire at the end of the year.
Read MoreIt’s been more than twelve years since passenger rail on Vancouver Island ground to a halt.
Back in the 19th century, governments gave away around two million acres of land on southeastern Vancouver Island to get The Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway built. Now it sits abandoned.
But the unbroken 289 kilometre corridor stretching from Esquilmalt to Courtenay is still almost entirely intact.
In March, a small portion of the land was returned to the Snaw'naw'as first nation. At the same time, the provincial government announced it would provide 18 million dollars to study the future of the corridor.
Read MoreIf you’ve so much as driven through Duncan in the last thirty years, chances are you’ve seen the World’s Largest Hockey Stick.
Now, with its wooden structure rotting, its future is in doubt.
Read MoreNanaimo’s MP is speaking up amid concerns that the habitat of the city’s official flower is at risk.
There’s a an application to build a subdivision on land in Harewood Plains, a site that the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust describes as home to critically imperiled ecological communities including Garry Oak woodlands and vernal Pools.
Read MoreArt is in the air this weekend in Nanaimo. To mark Nanaimo’s 25th annual artwalk, Midcoast Morning spoke with the artists behind some pieces you might see around town.
Read MoreWhere do boats go when they die?
There are more than a thousand tugs, ships, and other seafaring craft in British Columbia listed on the Canadian Coast Guard’s inventory of wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels.
Read MoreIn theory, building and fire codes exist to protect us. But what happens if someone’s last resort for a place to spend the night doesn’t meet the building code? This week Nanaimo city council acknowledged that reality this week.
Read MoreNobody likes cold feet. As the weather gets colder, those unhoused in our communities know this more than anyone. Right now, two groups are coming together to help warm feet.
Read MoreElectoral reform is once again an issue in the House of Commons. Back in the summer, NDP MP for Nanaimo-Ladysmith Lisa Marie Barron put forward a motion for the creation of a National Citizens Assembly on Electoral Reform. If created, this assembly would recommend alternatives to our current first past the post system.
Read MoreNanaimo is a hub for arts & culture. This Friday, November 17th, the Nanaimo Art Gallery is hosting Making Waves, a community event to celebrate all things creative. This twice-yearly event highlights creatives from various areas of arts and culture in the city and gives attendees insight into the work they do.
Read MoreIn another move by the provincial government in response to the housing crisis, new legislation has been introduced to create more small-scale multi-unit housing. The result of the new legislation will see changes in zoning allowing for small-scale multi-unit housing to be built where previously only single-family homes were allowed. A blanket up-zoning for much of B.C.
Read MoreHaving just wrapped up, this fall’s GoByBike Week in Nanaimo saw over 480 riders participate in the event. With the event coming to a close, it’s now time to celebrate with a film festival. On November 9th the International Bicycle Film Festival will be screened in Nanaimo with films celebrating the culture of cycling. Hosted by Hub City Cycles Co-op and the City of Nanaimo, the festival will showcase award-winning short films about cycling from around the world.
Read MoreLast week the provincial government launched a new $300 million dollar conservation tool to protect old growth forests. The Conservation Financing Mechanism will see $150 million coming from the province, with the remaining $150 million coming from a funding commitment of the BC Parks Foundation.
Read MoreThe struggle to find affordable housing is something many people are facing both young and old in British Columbia and across Canada.
To help alleviate this stress, the provincial government recently introduced new changes to short-term rentals throughout BC. This move is meant to help bring back more long-term housing opportunities for renters. The government has stated that “B.C. is facing a housing crisis, with a shortage of all forms of attainable housing, including long-term rentals.”
Read MoreLast week the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital saw the addition of the new Care and Connection Kiosk. The kiosks, provided by the Vancouver Island Health Authority, will allow anyone to access free life-saving harm-reduction supplies. It will also provide information on mental health and substance use support, services and treatments. Both North Island Hospital’s Campbell River campus and Victoria’s General Hospital also received the kiosks.
Read MoreThis is part two of our two part series on public transit in Nanaimo. In part one, we looked at what new plans BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo are working on to provide better transit for residents. On top of hearing what new plans are in the works, we discussed the new Umo payment system. Umo is coming this fall to all BC Transit Routes allowing riders to pay with the Umo app or a new reloadable card.
Today, in part two we will be taking a closer look at how students at Vancouver Island Univerity, AKA VIU are commuting to campus. While many students take transit to campus, some students say bus routes don’t work for them, and that parking on campus can be frustrating. We ask, what can be done?
Read MoreToday we’ll be starting a new two-part series on public transit in Nanaimo. In part one, we’ll be looking at what new plans BC Transit and the Regional District of Nanaimo are working on to provide better transit for residents. In part two airing Friday, we’ll take a closer look at how students at Vancouver Island University are commuting to campus.
New changes for the BC Transit customers will be coming this fall for riders in the Regional District of Nanaimo, AKA the RDN, and around the province. Meet Umo, BC Transit’s new payment system that will, as they describe: “allow users to select the best payment method for your lifestyle and travel habits.”
Read MoreThe annual fall GoByBike Week is about to kick off this weekend and will run from October 16th to October 29th.
Nanaimo has been taking part in this event since 1997 when it was first called Bike to Work Week. Residents of Nanaimo are encouraged to register for the event and record all their kilometres ridden during the week to submit them for a chance to win bike-related prizes. These kilometres can be tracked whenever you use your bike, be it on your commute to school or work, while doing errands by bike, trail riding, or just out for a casual ride.
Read MoreThe world's biggest Oktoberfest might have just finished in München Germany but far away from Bavaria in Nanaimo, our own city is celebrating the festival. The Nanaimo-Daybreak Rotary Club will be hosting their own Octoberfest on Saturday, October 21st at the Beban Park Social Centre.
This got me curious about the state of craft beer in our city and the sense of community surrounding it.
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