Nanaimo news

• COLUMN: Nanaimo’s dragon boat festival needs more support

  18-07-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  I remember my adrenaline pumping as my dragon boat team lined up with other teams in the Newcastle Channel to prepare for a race during the annual Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival more than 20 years ago.
  We had trained for months to participate in the festival and now we were about to find out how we stacked up against other teams from Nanaimo and from as far away as Portland who had also spent a considerable amount of time on the water honing their paddling skills.
  My team was the Bastion Dragons a
  
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• Nanaimo is looking for its next poet laureate

  22-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo is inviting applications for the position of poet laureate for the 2027–2029 term.
  Serving as the city’s literary ambassador, the poet laureate raises the profile of literary arts in Nanaimo by creating and presenting poetic works and activities that reflect the community.The successful candidate will engage and inspire residents, while collaborating with community partners to celebrate the power of poetry.
  Since the program was established in 2014, the city’s poet laur
  
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• B.C. forgives legal debts of staffer involved in 2013 ‘quick wins’ scandal

  22-07-2026 00:47 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. will forgive most of the $460,000 legal debt incurred by former communications staffer Brian Bonney defending himself for his part in the “quick wins” scandal that engulfed Christy Clark’s B.C. Liberal government in 2013, according to the Finance Ministry.
  The scandal centred around a multiculturalism outreach plan that was found to have inappropriately used government resources for partisan purposes.
  There were staff resignations, and John Yap stepped down from a minister
  
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• Abbotsford entrepreneurs represent B.C. at G20 summit

  22-07-2026 00:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Dozens of entrepreneurs from across the country will be heading to Austria later this year to try to spark worldwide economic growth.
  A total of 40 young business leaders make up this year’s Canadian delegation for the G20 Young Entrepreneurs’ Alliance (YEA) Summit.
  Among them are Abbotsford’s Janine Jivani and Saboor Meherzad, who make up half of the entire B.C. representation.
  This group was put together by entrepreneurial support non-profit Futurpreneur, which is one of the
  
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• 600 B.C. properties under evacuation order, 5,700 under alerts amid wildfires

  22-07-2026 00:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  More than 33,000 lightning strikes across B.C. last week has led to an increase in the number of active wildfires in the province.There are 87 active wildfires, including four that started in the last 24 hours, as of Tuesday morning (July 21). Twenty-four were declared out in the same period, Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said in a provincial wildfire and drought update.
  Parmar said the forecast is showing more “challenging weather” ahead, with hot, dry conditions and limited rain in
  
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• Attorney General comments on rural B.C., Indigenous land rights issues in Revelstoke interview

  22-07-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  On an unofficial visit to Revelstoke last Saturday, July 18, Attorney General Niki Sharma connected with Black Press Media to share her remarks on rural B.C. and what legal issues are front of mind for the province.
  Sharma, MLA for Vancouver—Hastings, grew up in Sparwood and is no stranger to small-town mountain life somewhere such as Revelstoke.
  “Coming to this place, it’s just part of our lifestyle, to connect with these mountain towns,” she said, chatting in the Revels
  
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• Montrose appealing court ruling that declined to add company to Cowichan case

  21-07-2026 23:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Montrose Properties is planning to appeal a recent B.C. Supreme Court judgment that ruled against the company’s application to reopen the Cowichan Tribes land title case and be added as a party.
  “We are going to do everything we can to ensure our interests are heard, and our rights are respected,” said Ken Low, CEO of Montrose Properties, in a news release announcing the intention to appeal. “And we do not feel they have been to date.”
  Justice Barbara Young ruled on
  
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• Suspect in 2022 Quebec murder arrested in B.C.

  21-07-2026 22:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A man wanted for a 2022 murder in Quebec was arrested in B.C. after police searched a home in Burnaby.
  Lee Van Smat Germain was wanted on an outstanding warrant in connection with the May 11, 2022 homicide of Sébastien Giroux in Montréal, a July 21 release from B.C.’s Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says.
  He was one of three people charged in connection with Giroux’s death on Jan. 22, 2026, police said. The other two were arrested at the time, but Germain remai
  
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• RCMP renews calls for help finding Ladysmith man missing since 2023

  21-07-2026 22:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  RCMP is renewing their call for assistance in locating Christopher Massingham of Ladysmith, who was reported missing more than three years ago.
  Massingham was last seen on June 27, 2023 when he was dropped off by a taxi in the area of Lawlor Road and 10th Street in Nanaimo.
  Police describe him as a Caucasian male, 56 years-old, 5 foot 11, 210 lbs, with green eyes and brown/grey hair.
  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Christopher Massingham is urged to contact their local police, or C
  
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• Class action lawsuit against StubHub for World Cup tickets filed in B.C. court

  21-07-2026 21:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Vancouver man has filed a proposed national class action lawsuit against StubHub after World Cup tickets he bought never materialized.
  Vancouver-based Westpoint Law Group announced the proposed class action against StubHub on Friday (July 17). The defendants are Delaware-based StubHub Inc., StubHub Canada Ltd., Delaware-based viagogo Entertainment Inc. and Switzerland-based viagogo GmbH. They’re all subsidiaries of StubHub Holdings, Inc.
  Mark Gallagher, on March 7, 2026, purchased two se
  
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• Annual burn camp for B.C. kids kicks off

  21-07-2026 21:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Before 59 young burn survivors from across B.C. and the Yukon began a week-long summer camp in Squamish, they were treated to a kick-off celebration hosted by Township of Langley Firefighters IAFF Local 4550 at McLeod Athletic Park in Langley on Sunday, July 19.
  Todd Schierling, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund which organizes the camps, spoke at the event.
  “It’s all about showing up for these kids,” Schierling told the Langley Advance Times. &ldq
  
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• BC Hydro to triple size of its public EV charging network by 2035

  21-07-2026 20:57 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  BC Hydro plans to triple the number of its public electric vehicle charging ports by 2035 through a $700-million investment in 3,500 new charging ports across B.C.
  “It will make it one of the largest networks in Canada,” BC Hydro CEO Charlotte Mitha said of the new plan at a Tuesday morning announcement in Richmond.
  There are currently 917 BC Hydro charging ports at 190 locations throughout the province.
  This is in addition to roughly 8,900 total public charging ports in the province
  
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• Black bear attack injures hiker on Comox Valley trail

  21-07-2026 20:28 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An injured hiker who was attacked by a black bear on July 19 on a Cumberland trail near the Bevan Wetlands has been released from hospital.
  The attack occurred when two hikers retrieving their off-leash dogs encountered a family of black bears, according to a Facebook post made by province’s Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS).
  “The BCCOS investigation determined the attack was defensive in nature. No efforts to locate or capture the bears will be made,” the post said.
  In addi
  
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• Charges laid in death in Nanaimo last year

  21-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Charges of second-degree murder and indignity to human remains have been laid against Cameron Compton in the death of Sherry Shelley last year.
  Members of the Nanaimo RCMP arrested Cameron Compton on Monday July 20, and he is currently in custody awaiting a court appearance on Tuesday.On the morning of Nov. 14, 2025, police received a report of a woman missing from Nanaimo.Nanaimo RCMP officers attended to multiple locations connected to her disappearance and ultimately located 65-year-old Shell
  
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• Victoria Royals sign Blue Jackets prospect following trade with Hurricanes

  21-07-2026 19:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Just weeks after hearing his name called at the NHL Draft, Filip Novak is officially a member of the Victoria Royals.
  The Royals announced Monday (July 20) that they had signed the Czech forward to a WHL Scholarship and Development Agreement, officially adding the Columbus Blue Jackets prospect to their 2026-27 roster.
  Victoria acquired Novak from the Lethbridge Hurricanes on July 15 in exchange for third-round selections in the 2028 and 2030 WHL Prospects Draft.
  The 18-year-old forward was sele
  
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• Island city’s World Cup festival unites community, divides businesses

  21-07-2026 19:34 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While Spain may have lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy as champions, some might argue the tournament’s biggest winners can be found in the West Shore.
  Across the six-week sporting extravaganza, thousands flocked to ‘Langford United’ watch parties at The Station on Station Avenue, where soccer fans of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities gathered to cheer, celebrate and commiserate together.
  “It’s awesome,” said Argentina supporter Miguel Cerda during halftim
  
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• $1.9 million lottery launched by BC SPCA

  21-07-2026 19:13 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The BC SPCA Lottery for Animals in Need has officially launched its biggest 50/50 campaign in history, promising a pot of up to $1.9 million.
  ​Kicking off on July 21, animal lovers can buy a 50/50 ticket for $15, three for $40 or six for $60.
  ​“When you choose to enter, your compassionate purchase is like a warm embrace for an animal facing their hardest days,” said Alina Wilson, BC SPCA senior officer.
  ​“We’re deeply grateful for the support from across
  
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• Beyond Monet, Beyond Van Gogh offers one-two punch of immersive art for Nanaimo

  21-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Lovers of art and casual art admirers in Nanaimo will be able to experience the works of two famed 19th century painters in one exhibition.
  Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet is on display at Vancouver Island Conference Centre, in downtown Nanaimo, until Aug. 29, offering guests the chance to not only view re-creations of the works of Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet, but immerse themselves in the paintings through animation, set to music, on screens set 360 degrees.
  The exhibition came about tha
  
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• Drone use in Brunswick Complex operation a Canadian first, BCWS says

  21-07-2026 17:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  BC Wildfire Service marked a national milestone in its response to the Brunswick Complex fires in the Fraser Canyon last weekend.
  In a video update on Monday (July 20), BCWS said crews used a drone to complete an ignition operation for the first time in Canada.
  Crews completed an ignition on Sunday (July 19) across the river from Boston Bar. BCWS called it a “critical step” in securing the east flank of the Brunswick Creek blaze across from Boston Bar.
  BCWS expects it will reduce the
  
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• Early-morning fire razes Service BC building in Port Alberni

  21-07-2026 16:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Fire crews from Port Alberni, Sproat Lake, Beaver Creek and Cherry Creek have been battling a fire at the Service BC building on Eighth Avenue since approximately 5 a.m.
  Crews remain on scene.
  More to come.
  
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• Maffeo Sutton Park backdrop for championship bathtub race in Nanaimo 

  21-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Maffeo Sutton Park will be a hub of activity for bathtub race weekend in Nanaimo.
  The 59th Great International World Championship Bathtub Race takes place Sunday, July 26 beginning at 11 a.m. at the waters off Maffeo Sutton Park, the heart of all the action. Competitors will traverse the 58-kilometre race course, which goes through Gallows Point, Entrance Island, around Winchelsea Island and back to Maffeo Sutton.
  Greg Peacock, Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore, said the course remains the
  
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• Heat warning expands to much of Vancouver Island

  21-07-2026 14:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An expanded heat warning includes much of Vancouver Island, where shoreline breezes won’t help with the cooling.
  Elevated temperatures are expected now through Wednesday (July 22), Environment Canada predicts.The warning stretches from southern Vancouver Island, up the Island and across to the North Coast including Terrace and Kitimat, inland sections such as Bella Coola and the Sunshine Coast.
  Initially covering less area of the province when issued Monday, the yellow, or mid confidence,
  
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• Show some restraint: Don’t let pets roam free in cars

  21-07-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Why do dogs like to stick their heads out of the window of a moving car?*
  Whatever the reason, a recent ICBC survey found that 14 per cent of drivers said they don’t restrain their pet while it’s in the car because they want it to be able to stick its head out the window. The same survey showed that of the British Columbians who said they’d travelled with a pet in their car over the past year, nearly two-thirds (64 per cent) admitted to not always using restraints.
  Among driver
  
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• Evacuation orders issued for Pear Lake fire near Clinton

  21-07-2026 03:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Two regional districts have issued evacuation orders in response to the Pear Lake wildfire, burning approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Clinton in the B.C. Interior.
  On Monday, July 20 the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation order for the Downing Provincial Park day use and campground areas.
  The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has issued an evacuation order for properties between 100 and 400 Pear Lake Road, as well as for properties between 650 and 980 P
  
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• Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta commemorates 40th anniversary

  21-07-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo Silly Boat Regatta celebrated its 40th anniversary, with teams using boats consisting of various recycled materials, and then hitting the water on it.
  The regatta serves as the largest fundraiser for the Nanaimo Child Development Centre.
  “It basically is a family friendly event that has got some fun fundraising going on, and we encourage teams to come and build boats out of recycled materials, and then race them in the harbour against each other, and then we have a whole park f
  
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• Province, BC Hydro to build 100 MW battery storage facility in Cowichan Valley

  21-07-2026 01:41 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The province and BC Hydro will be building a 100 megawatt battery storage project in North Cowichan, officials announced on Monday, July 20.
  The project will be the first of its kind in the province. The purpose of the utility-scale battery energy storage project is to strengthen reliability and prepare for the growing electricity demand in the region as the island continues to experience population growth, housing development, economic investment and increasing electrification.
  “This firs
  
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• VIDEO: ‘No nurse wants to be out here’: BCNU rallies outside Kelowna hospital

  21-07-2026 01:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Cheers, car horns and cowbells filled the air outside Kelowna General Hospital the afternoon of July 20.Nurses and supporters rallied at 2 p.m. at the corner of Pandosy Street and Rose Avenue holding up signs, waving to cars, and cheering with every honk to prove that they aren’t backing down.“I think it’s important to know that no nurse wants to be out here,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear. “Nurses didn’t sign up because they wanted to be on rallies or have
  
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• Arrest made year after fatal Okanagan Granfondo crash

  21-07-2026 01:26 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  One year and a week after a crash during the Okanagan Granfondo killed an athlete and hospitalized two others, one man has been arrested and charged.
  The charges were approved by the BC Prosecution Service, and on Monday, July 20, Jonathan Crant was arrested. He now faces one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.
  “This has been a complex investigation requiring significant investigative ef
  
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• Trump says 50% tariffs coming to some Canadian products

  21-07-2026 01:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  U.S. President Donald Trump is again threatening tariffs against Canada.
  Trump signed three proclamations, according to the White House on Monday (July 20), that would impose additional 50-per-cent tariffs on certain Canadian goods “in response to Canada’s discriminatory treatment of American products.” The latest tariffs fall under Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 and include products ranging from wine to hockey sticks to cement.
  The tariffs are set to take effect 30 days
  
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• Effort to recall B.C. MLA Dallas Brodie falls short

  21-07-2026 01:09 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The petition to recall Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie, leader of the OneBC Party, has failed to gather the necessary number of signatures by a wide margin.
  For a petition to be successful, registered canvassers must collect signatures from 40 per cent or more of the 15,232 people who were eligible to vote in the Vancouver-Quilchena riding on Oct. 19, 2024.
  Petitioners managed to gather just 3,663 signatures.
  The recall effort was organized by riding resident Dorothy Cumming, who submitted
  
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