Nanaimo news

• B.C.’s online ‘virtual counter’ court registry service now fully operational

  05-02-2026 01:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  B.C.’s new online “virtual counter” court registry service is now fully operational and available for people to use provincewide.
  The program, introduced as a pilot project in 2024, allows people to connect with court registry staff via video chat or phone.
  “Navigating the justice system can be challenging, especially for people who face barriers accessing in-person services,” Attorney General Niki Sharma said in a Wednesday (Feb. 4) news release. “People need
  
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• Seasonal-service changes for B.C. Transit take effect Sunday

  03-09-2026 01:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Transit and Regional District of Nanaimo are making a number of seasonal service changes as of Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026.
  To coincide with the start of the school year, trips denoted with “S” in the Rider’s Guide will resume for the fall season.
  These include Route 5 Fairview, Route 6 Harewood, Route 15 VIU/Woodgrove, Route 20 Hammond Bay, Route 20A Dover, Route 30 NRGH, and Route 40 VIU Express.
  Service on Route 92 Hammond Bay will resume as well.
  Also starting on Sunday, the
  
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• Interior Health defends downtown safe consumption site amid Kelowna’s shutdown request

  03-09-2026 00:34 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While recognizing Kelowna City Council’s concerns with the Outreach Urban Health Centre safe consumption site, Interior Health’s (IH) chief medical health officer Dr. Sue Pollock said the site is ultimately saving lives.
  On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas shared a letter to social media, calling for the supervised consumption site located at 1649 Pandosy Street to be denied renewal by the Federal Ministry of Health.
  The purpose of the site is to provide safe monitoring and m
  
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• Cedar Bike Pump Track opens to the public

  03-09-2026 00:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new bike-pump track has opened near the Cedar Community Secondary School in memory of a late member of the BMX community.
  The Cedar Bike Pump Track had been officially opened to the public on Monday, Aug. 31.
  The track was completed by the Stevie Smith Legacy Foundation, with donations from local businesses, in honour of Mike Davidson, a long-time BMX executive and chief operating officer with the Nanaimo Port Authority. Several relatives of Davidson attended the opening.
  Now in operation, the
  
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• CFL suspends current BC Lion, former Okanagan Sun football player 2 games

  03-09-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Former Okanagan Sun and current BC Lions football player Jacob Bond has been suspended by the CFL after being found in violation of the league’s drug policy.
  ​A positive drug test for D-amfetamine, which is classified as a non-specific stimulant on the policy’s Prohibited List, has resulted in the 23-year-old fullback being suspended for two games. Also known as dextroamphetamine, the stimulant is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  ​“Play
  
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• United Way BC celebrates Okanagan wildfire volunteers

  02-09-2026 23:37 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Over 100 people volunteered with United Way BC to help evacuees from this year’s wildfires in the Okanagan.
  Many of the volunteers signed up within a day of United Way posting volunteer opportunities on its iVolunteer website.
  “It was so heartwarming to see the response,” said Magda Kapp, specialist, emergency response and partnerships at United Way BC. “People were saying, ‘I have a truck,’ or ‘I have first aid,’ or ‘I have this particular s
  
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• Bookings nearly sold out for drivers bound for Vancouver Island aboard BC Ferries Friday

  02-09-2026 23:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The last long weekend of summer traditionally starts early aboard BC Ferries, proven by the near-sellout of Friday (Sept. 4) and return Monday reservations.
  Island residents can expect an influx of visitors with the Friday ferries from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay nearly sold out, with only the first sailing of the day with space for those taking a vehicle. The final Friday voyage is the only boat left with vehicle space from Tsawwassen to Duke Point.
  BC Ferries is aware of the impact an extra day c
  
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• ‘Racing for change’: Greenwood motard club makes motorsports accessible

  02-09-2026 23:16 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  For many, a sport like motorcycle racing may seem out of reach due to the costs. A motard club from Greenwood is changing that.
  The Route 3 Racing Club, a non-profit founded by directors Angus McNeil and Dale Robins, is a unique motorsport club that offers free motard racing opportunities to anyone interested.
  “Motorsports are very expensive and not every child, or not even every adult, has the opportunity to do this. So we bring the opportunity to everyone, no matter their financial statu
  
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• WHL to stream games free on YouTube for start of 2026-27 season

  02-09-2026 23:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Western Hockey League (WHL) will be temporarily available to be streamed for free on YouTube following “uncertainty” with the league’s now former media partner, Victory+.
  In an announcement on Wednesday, Sept. 2, the league said its games will broadcasted to YouTube on an “interim basis.”
  “The WHL’s audience is growing rapidly. We continue to believe that providing easy access to games is of critical value and importance as we look to expand our reac
  
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• Police dog Basko begins training in Nanaimo

  02-09-2026 23:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A young German shepherd with a promising future as a police dog has begun its training in Nanaimo.
  Basko was born almost four months ago at the RCMP Police Dog Service Training Centre in Innisfail, Alberta, and his handlers have recognized that he has a lot of potential.
  It shouldn’t come as a surprise as Basko comes from an impressive police-dog lineage.
  His father, Neon, is currently serving alongside his handler, RCMP Const. Jordan Braid, in Nanaimo, and his grandfather, Jago, is rememb
  
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• B.C. experiencing growing pet overpopulation crisis: Okanagan Human Society

  02-09-2026 22:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) and other humane societies across B.C. are sounding the alarm about what they are calling a rapidly escalating pet overpopulation crisis.
  ​According to OHS, thousands of animals are at risk across the province, which has been fuelled by backyard breeding, unplanned litters, and growing populations of dogs and cats.
  ​“Over the past few years, we’ve lost momentum as humane societies have been swamped and overcome with massive numbers of ani
  
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• Defections continue as Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA McInnis quits B.C. Conservatives

  02-09-2026 22:12 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis is quitting the B.C. Conservative caucus, becoming the second MLA to leave on Wednesday, and the ninth in less than a month.
  “The party has increasingly become an exclusive private club more concerned with ideological bona fides than building the broad coalition required to serve British Columbians and form government,” McInnis said in a written statement.
  McInnis says he will sit as an Independent. Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson r
  
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• B.C. Conservative Leader Findlay names former MLA as new chief of staff

  02-09-2026 21:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Conservatives Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has a new chief of staff after Chris Delaney resigned from the role.Findlay announced Thursday (Sept. 2) that Delaney had offered his resignation and she has accepted.Reann Gasper, former Abbotsford-Mission MLA, is now Findlay’s chief of staff.
  Gasper had been deputy chief of staff since resigning from her seat as MLA to allow Findlay to run in the riding.Black Press Media has reached out to Delaney.
  More to come.
  
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• Surrey mosque vandalized: Community leaders demand action against Islamophobia

  02-09-2026 21:56 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A mosque in Surrey, B.C. was vandalized over the weekend with someone writing “hateful and threatening” words on the building and leaving pieces of raw bacon.The RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) is investigating the incident as a hate crime, which occurred sometime between 11 p.m. Friday (Aug. 28) and 5 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 28).
  In a post to Facebook, the Fleetwood Islamic Academy Society general secretary, Haji, Asif Ali, stated that the threats, “get out
  
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• Fighting words: Vernon MP pans U.S. war secretary over ‘cheap shot’ at B.C. cadets

  02-09-2026 21:46 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A day after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth shared a post mocking Vernon cadets on social media, Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson censured the senior U.S. official in a social media post of his own.Hegseth posted on X (formerly Twitter) Monday, Aug. 31, sharing a picture that Vernon Cadets had posted on Facebook Aug. 24, accompanied with a Canadian flag and the comment “this is real.”(this is real) pic.twitter.com/Ucx2FNdi1q
  — Pete Hegseth (@PeteHegseth) September 1
  
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• Man stabbed along Highway 101 near Lund

  02-09-2026 21:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Powell River RCMP are investigating a stabbing incident along Highway 101, near Lund.The victim, a 45-year-old man, is expected to survive despite suffering multiple stab wounds, police said in a news release Tuesday (Sept. 1).
  The RCMP said they were contacted on Aug. 30 after the man was admitted to the hospital.
  “Initial evidence gathered suggested the victim was walking along Highway 101 at around 4 a.m. when he was allegedly attacked by a group of unknown suspects.”
  Police are a
  
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• Nanaimo RCMP looking for witnesses to crash that seriously injured motorcyclist

  02-09-2026 20:36 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo RCMP is looking for witnesses to an accident between a motorcycle and a SUV at the intersection of Departure Bay Road and Norwell Drive.
  The accident happened just after 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31, according to Nanaimo RCMP.
  Reserve Const. Gary O’Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said the SUV turned in front of the motorcycle, and the motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
  “The driver of the SUV said they had the advanced arrow to turn at the intersection, so i
  
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• What’s On, Sept 2

  02-09-2026 19:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  MUSIC
  Ryan McMahon will be performing at the Ladybug’s Mew in Yellow Point Farm & Garden Store Concert Stage on Sept. 2 at 7 p.m. McMahon is a high-octane folk/rocker from Ladysmith. Tickets are available at www.ladybugsmewinyellowpoint.ca.Monthly open mic night at the Vault Cafe, free. Starts at 7 p.m. on Sept. 3.
  James Leclaire, a Canadian-based singer songwriter who mixes folk, rick, classic country, roots and blues, will be performing at the Queen’s on Sept. 4, with doors at
  
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• B.C. Tesla driver ticketed for allegedly sleeping behind the wheel on Highway 1

  02-09-2026 19:53 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A 45-year-old driver from Maple Ridge is facing a $368 ticket for allegedly sleeping behind the wheel while driving on Highway 1.
  Two witnesses called into police about a driver who appeared to be asleep behind the wheel of a Tesla on Highway 1 near Mountain Highway in North Vancouver on Aug. 11, just before 3:30 p.m., according to a news release from B.C. Highway Patrol Wednesday (Sept. 2).
  Police say both witnesses were in the same vehicle and the passenger recorded video from the passenger se
  
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• Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson latest to quit B.C. Conservative Party

  02-09-2026 19:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Boundary-Similkameen MLA Donegal Wilson is leaving the B.C. Conservative Party, saying she has lost confidence in Kerry-Lynne Findlay as party leader.
  “When Ms. Findlay became Leader, I promised myself I would keep an open mind and give her three
  months to show us how she intended to lead,” Wilson said in a written statement. “Three months later, I have my answer. I never imagined things could go this wrong, this quickly.”
  Wilson is the eighth MLA to leave the Conservativ
  
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• City of Parksville numbers being ‘spoofed’ by fraudsters

  02-09-2026 19:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The City of Parksville says unauthorized callers are using phone numbers associated with the city to place scam or fraudulent calls.
  This practice, known as “spoofing,” allows scammers to make it appear as though a call is coming from a legitimate phone number, when it is not, according to a news release by the city.
  “The city wants to remind residents that we will never ask for sensitive personal information, banking information, passwords, or payment over the phone in an unso
  
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• Shuswap RCMP respond to ‘chaotic scene’ on Highway 1 after semi hits truck and camper trailer

  02-09-2026 19:29 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Responding to a vehicle collision east of town, the Sicamous RCMP found a “chaotic scene” upon arrival.
  On Tuesday, Sept. 1, officers responded a “major collision” at the west end of the four-lane section of Highway 1 in Malakwa just after 4 p.m.“The officers arrived to a chaotic scene with a large fifth wheel trailer completely destroyed and torn open lengthwise on the shoulder of the highway, with the heavy duty pickup towing the trailer also heavily damaged,&rdq
  
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• Campfire ban to be lifted across Vancouver Island and South Coast

  02-09-2026 19:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Campfire prohibitions will be lifted across the Coastal Fire Centre starting Thursday (Sept. 3), as wildfire danger continues to decline following recent rainfall and cooler temperatures.
  Effective at noon, Category 1 open-fire prohibitions, which include campfires, will be rescinded throughout the Coastal Fire Centre – which encompasses the Island and B.C.’s South Coast. Fire no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide, used for recreational or ceremonial purposes, will be all
  
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• MP calls for federal assessment of former Crofton mill property

  02-09-2026 19:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Cowichan-Malahat-Langford MP and Shadow Minister for Defence Procurement Jeff Kibble is calling on the federal government to immediately assess the former pulp mill property in Crofton for potential future industrial and naval use.
  Kibble said the property’s deep, sheltered water, existing berthing, industrial infrastructure and large upland area make it a rare asset on the B.C. coast.
  “A building can be put anywhere. A depth cannot be built to order and there are very few places on
  
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• Uber drivers across B.C. Interior unionize, including Okanagan, Cariboo and Kootenay regions

  02-09-2026 19:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Uber drivers across the B.C. Interior have joined UFCW 1518, a private union that serves over 28,000 workers across the province, including the Okanagan, Cariboo and Kootenay regions.
  ​According to UFCW Canada, drivers in these regions will now be covered by the landmark agreement first negotiated by Uber drivers in Victoria, which expands its protections and benefits to hundreds of drivers in B.C.
  ​“The agreement reached by Uber drivers in Victoria made history. Now we’r
  
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• Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League ready to drop the puck on 2026-27 season

  02-09-2026 18:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League is set to open its 2026-27 season this weekend, with all 11 teams completing training camps and making final preparations for the opening puck drop.
  The regular season gets underway Friday, Sept. 4, with three games on the schedule, followed by three more contests Saturday, including the Oceanside Generals’ home opener.
  “The off-season has been extremely busy for our teams and the league office, preparing for this year and the future,”
  
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• Man arrested for arson in suspicious grass fires near Vernon

  02-09-2026 18:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An arrest has been made following two suspicious grass fires started in the Swan Lake Nature Reserve, which grew to wildfire status but were quickly brought under control Tuesday, Sept. 1.
  RCMP say a witness in the area and noticed smoke from the fires, and using binoculars, they observed a suspicious man running from the scene and quickly called police providing a description of the suspect.The witness continued to watch the suspect as he attempted to flee the scene toward Old Kamloops Road.&ld
  
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• NOTICE OF BOUNDARY EXTENSION: City of Nanaimo

  02-09-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Notice is hereby given that effective July 17, 2026, the boundary of the City of Nanaimo was extended, by Order-in-Council No. 339/2026, to include the following Snuneymuxw First Nation reserve lands:IR#1 (Nanaimo Town No. 1)
  IR#2 (Nanaimo River No. 2)
  IR#3 (Nanaimo River No. 3)
  IR#4 (Nanaimo River No. 4)A copy of the Letters Patent and a map showing the new boundary of the municipality may be viewed at the Legislative Services Department at City Hall, 455 Wallace Street, Nanaimo, BC, during reg
  
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• Helicopter rescue off Vancouver Island a great example of ‘coordinated response and teamwork’

  02-09-2026 18:18 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Local search and rescue teams are hailing coordination as a key to successful aid with the latest rescue off Chin Beach on the Juan de Fuca Trail.Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue was called out Monday (Sept. 1) to help an 18-year-old hiker who had sustained a head injury.With support from Shirley Fire, North Shore Rescue, Talon Helicopters, and BC Emergency Health Services, the team safely extricated the injured hiker.“Juan de Fuca SAR responded alongside local fire rescue resources and a fl
  
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• B.C. education minister aware of need for new Nanaimo District Secondary School

  02-09-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The B.C. government is not oblivious to Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools’ desire for a new Nanaimo District Secondary School, says the education minister.
  NDSS was built in 1952 with a 2025 capital plan report noting it “has multiple aged-out systems and requires a significant amount of maintenance” and the school district, and numerous iterations of the school board, have long advocated for an upgrade.
  At a Monday, Aug. 31 child care space announcement in Nanaimo, Lisa Beare,
  
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