Local News Updates

Updates on what’s happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea.

Local News in Nanamo and on the Salish Sea
Winterfest shows that downtown Nanaimo’s heart is still beating
Lauryn Mackenzie
Winterfest shows that downtown Nanaimo’s heart is still beating
Lauryn Mackenzie

For the first time in recent history, a Christmas tree has been lit at Diana Krall Plaza, kicking off the holiday season for downtown Nanaimo. 

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Baby boom! Vancouver Island marmots break records for 2024
Lauryn Mackenzie
Baby boom! Vancouver Island marmots break records for 2024
Lauryn Mackenzie

boom has taken over Mount Washington as the critically engaged species, the Vancouver Island Marmot, welcomed over 100 newly born pups.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Following denied AAP, Nanaimo council abandons borrowing bylaw
Lauryn Mackenzie
Following denied AAP, Nanaimo council abandons borrowing bylaw
Lauryn Mackenzie

Nanaimo City Council will not immediately go to referendum and is now reevaluating options following the failed attempt to borrow money for its Public Works Yard project via an alternative approval process, also known as an AAP.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo AAP to borrow $90 million for Public Works Yard fails
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo AAP to borrow $90 million for Public Works Yard fails
Lauryn Mackenzie

After three attempts by the City of Nanaimo to seek the consent of the voters to borrow funds to upgrade its Public Works Yard, the city’s third AAP has been denied.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Nanaimo postal workers collecting Santa letters despite strike
Lauryn Mackenzie
Nanaimo postal workers collecting Santa letters despite strike
Lauryn Mackenzie

Despite an ongoing labour dispute, Nanaimo postal workers are making sure Santa Claus still receives letters from children for Christmas.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Gender-affirming clothing event to support those on gender journeys
Lauryn Mackenzie
Gender-affirming clothing event to support those on gender journeys
Lauryn Mackenzie

Supporting diversity and those on gender journeys, local pride group The Coast is Queer is hosting a free clothing event with gender-affirming styles and accessories this weekend.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Volunteers still needed for Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count: United Way BC
Lauryn Mackenzie
Volunteers still needed for Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count: United Way BC
Lauryn Mackenzie

Leading up to the 2024 Nanaimo Point-in-Time Count, United Way BC says they are still looking for more volunteers to help with the count.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo to add free parking in Bastion Parkade during Commercial Street construction
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo to add free parking in Bastion Parkade during Commercial Street construction
Lauryn Mackenzie

Rain or shine, or during construction, Commercial Street in Nanaimo’s downtown core is still open for business, and the City of Nanaimo is now offering additional free parking in hopes of getting more people downtown.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Pop-up overdose prevention site opens across the street from NRGH
Lauryn Mackenzie
Pop-up overdose prevention site opens across the street from NRGH
Lauryn Mackenzie

A group of healthcare workers and advocates attempting to set up an unsanctioned overdose prevention site at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital were forced to relocate across the street.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Nanaimo’s new poet laureate looks forward to sharing poetry and language
Lauryn Mackenzie
Nanaimo’s new poet laureate looks forward to sharing poetry and language
Lauryn Mackenzie

Neil Surkan is excited to be a literary ambassador as he is to be appointed the City of Nanaimo’s newest Poet Laureate.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo encourages all road users to be alert and be seen
Lauryn Mackenzie
City of Nanaimo encourages all road users to be alert and be seen
Lauryn Mackenzie

As the days get shorter and the weather becomes cold and wet, the City of Nanaimo is reminding everyone commuting to stay alert and be seen in their community, whether by car, bike, or while walking.

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie
Unboxing Bravery journeys through gender identity and finding your true self
Lauryn Mackenzie
Unboxing Bravery journeys through gender identity and finding your true self
Lauryn Mackenzie

A show coming to the OV Arts Centre in Nanaimo will explore gender and transgender allyship through the art form of drag, and telling one person's journey of finding themselves. 

Read More →
Lauryn Mackenzie

Midcoast Morning

Broadcast and Podcast every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 8:30 in the morning. Learn more and subscribe here.

Featured
Decision points for Nanaimo's budget
Decision points for Nanaimo's budget

Nanaimo city council is going to be deciding Friday whether or not a number of projects will get funding in next year’s budget.

It’s been a week full of conversations around the budget, with an e-town hall taking place Monday, and a special finance and audit committee meeting Wednesday, ahead of Friday’s meeting.

Right now the city is forecasting a property tax increase of eight point seven per cent, though that number will change by the end of the day depending on council’s decisions.

Today on the program we’ll share some information on what those decision points are, and bring you up to speed on where the city is in its budgeting process.

Searching for the essence of Cumberland in tales from its past
Searching for the essence of Cumberland in tales from its past

A shoot out with a pirate, A train disaster, a chow mein that’s been passed down to generations that were forced to move away - these are just some of the stories you’ll find in A Place Called Cumberland.

The new book from the village’s museum and archives brings together twelve different tales from Cumberland’s past, that cover topics from labour organizing, to a first hand account of growing up in Chinatown, to the story behind the bike trails that play a big part in the community’s identity today.

Midcoast Morning speaks with some of the contributors to explore what the past has to say about the ethos of Cumberland.

‘Bad in every way' says VIU prof of GST holiday
‘Bad in every way' says VIU prof of GST holiday

The federal government is one step closer to putting a temporary pause on GST, after a vote in the house of commons Thursday night.

Legislation to exempt a number of items from GST between December 14th and February 15th passed a vote in Ottawa, with support from the liberals and NDP.

Among the items included in the proposed exemption are children’s clothing, a number of food items and toys and video game consoles.

People in BC will not need to pay the 5 per cent federal GST on qualifying items during the two month period.

Speaking with Midcoast Morning, VIU professor of political studies and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie called the measure “bad in every way.”

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron also spoke with Midcoast Morning about why she supported the measure.

Contact

News Staff

Managing Editor & Executive Producer—Jesse Woodward / jesse.woodward@chly.ca

Reporter (Local Journalism Initiative)—Lauryn Mackenzie / lauryn.mackenzie@chly.ca

Host-Producer (Mid Coast Morning)—Joe Pugh / joe.pugh@chly.ca

Send Press Releases to:

news@chly.ca

Contact Us

Have a story idea? A tip? Contact us through this form.