Nanaimo news

• Decrease in new construction in RDN, says B.C. Assessment

  03-02-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Year-over-year Regional District of Nanaimo area property numbers were relatively stable, but new builds in muncipalities decreased, says the body that helps B.C. governments establish taxation.
  Isaac Morgan, senior appraiser with B.C. Assessment, was before the RDN board Tuesday, Jan. 27, presenting on property values in the 2026 assessment roll. Overall, the total roll value in the RDN for 2026 was over $67 billion, a 1.8 per cent increase from 2025, and for residences, it was $61 billion, als
  
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• Okanagan Humane Society seeks specialized fosters as rescues surge

  05-02-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Okanagan Humane Society (OHS) is struggling to find specialized fosters for some of its rescues.
  Cali the pitbull is one example. She was found tied to a park bench, abandoned, and shows signs of being abused by a male.
  After boarding for four weeks at Bark n’ Fly, a dog boarding and daycare facility that partners with the OHS, Cali is still waiting for her last chance at life, her forever home.
  “She’s a year-old pit bull, she’s about 90 pounds, and she’s solid
  
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• Explosive inside truck leads to drugs, guns seizure in Prince George

  05-02-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Explosive Disposal Unit was called to the scene of a traffic stop after a Prince George RCMP officer pulled over a white pickup truck to ensure the driver had a valid license.
  The officer noticed a weapon inside the vehicle while conducting the stop near 1300-block of Pearson Avenue on Jan. 25. Both the driver and the passenger were arrested for possession of a weapon, while police searched the rest of the vehicle.
  Inside on the floor of the passenger seat was what appeared to be an explosiv
  
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• 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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• Richmond MLA Steve Kooner running for B.C. Conservative leadership

  05-02-2026 00:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Richmond-Queensborough MLA Steve Kooner has announced his intention to run for the B.C. Conservative leadership.
  Kooner posted to social media Tuesday (Feb. 3) that he was running to “Bring Back B.C.,” his slogan for the campaign.
  “After years of economic decline, attacks on property rights and parental authority, and growing disorder in our communities, it’s clear: this government has lost its way,” Kooner said in his post. “Through hard work, I earned the tr
  
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• Book recounts Summerland woman’s transgender story

  05-02-2026 00:12 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A book by a transgender woman from Summerland retells her story of finding what she calls “gender joy.”
  On Feb. 3, Dee McWatters held a launch party for her book, “Sorry I Was Such a D!ck When I Had One!” The event was held at Cannery Brewing in Penticton.
  McWatters’ book was released in October. On Feb. 3, it was on the shelves of Coles in Penticton and Mosaic Books in Kelowna, and will soon be available at Indigo in Kelowna. It is available in paperback and ebook
  
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• ‘Wild’ documentary debuts on brothers found living off grid in B.C.

  04-02-2026 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  One of the most unique stories from the North Okanagan this century is being brought to the world of streaming.
  The two-part documentary Wild Boys: Strangers in Town debuts on the streaming app Paramount+ Feb. 18.
  The documentary relives the tale of two brothers who were found to be living in the woods behind the Kal Lake Store in Coldstream in 2003. Residents and media referred to them as The Bush Boys.The pair told locals they had lived in isolation all of their lives, and were taken under the
  
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• Media exclusion from Vancouver decampment ‘unlawful’: Human rights commissioner

  04-02-2026 22:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A new report from B.C.’s human rights commissioner finds the creation of a media “exclusion zone” during the April 2023 police take-down of the East Hastings Street homeless camp in Vancouver was “unlawful.”
  “I conclude that the zone had the primary purpose of preventing safety concerns, including issues associated with the protests,” said Kasari Govender, B.C.’s human rights commissioner, in a Wednesday (Feb. 4) press conference. “However, t
  
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• Nanaimo is the latest community to receive drug poisoning alert

  04-02-2026 21:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Nanaimo is the latest community in B.C. to be issued a drug posioning alert, following a higher rate of drug poisonings in the community.
  The alert was issued by Island Health on Wednesday, Feb. 4, and comes just a week after a province-wide alert was issued by the BCCDC on Jan. 26.
  In the province-wide notice, the BCCDC warned that opioids now often contain the sedative medetomidine and “medetomidine is most likely the cause” of overdoses in B.C. increasing.
  Medetomidine is a veteri
  
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• Peachland, B.C. named Canada’s Kindest Community

  04-02-2026 21:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Canadians are known to be nice but what town is the nicest in the country? That question has now been answered.
  A nation-wide contest held by Coca-Cola Canada has named Peachland as Canada’s Kindest Community. On top of the honour, the Central Okanagan Foundation was awarded $100,000 by Coca-Cola and Coke Canada Bottling, from the Community Foundations of Canada, which will be used to support Peachland.
  The annoucement was held at the Rotary Pavilion Heritage Park on Wednesday morning, Feb
  
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• B.C. man researched suicide methods days before his family’s deaths: Coroner’s Inquest

  04-02-2026 21:11 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The third morning of a coroner’s inquest into the deaths of a Prince Rupert family in 2023 has revealed startling phone searches from the father, Christopher Duong, just days before the family of four was found dead.
  Inquest counsel, Steven Liu, shared two searches from Duong’s phone as evidence, with the first search being “painless ways to kill yourself” and the second being “where are the biggest arteries.”
  Liu then asked witness Dr. Gerald Belgardt, who co
  
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• No tsunami expected for B.C.’s coast after 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska

  04-02-2026 21:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A tsunami is not expected after a 4.4-magnitude earthquake in Alaska Wednesday.
  The U.S. National Weather Service Tsunami Alerts posted to X that the earthquake hit at 7:25 a.m. on Feb. 4. It was originally listed as a 4.3-magnitude quake.
  Emergency Info B.C. said there is no tsunami threat to B.C.
  The earthquake hit about 92 kilometres west northwest of Anchorage and 885 kilometres west of Whitehorse, Yukon at a depth of 82.3 kilometres.
  The U.S. Geological Service says 179 people reported feel
  
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• B.C.’s Vernon Vipers seek to snap skid in Alberta

  04-02-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Vernon Vipers kick off a three-game B.C. Hockey League Alberta road trip with what could be a tight contest.
  The Snakes are in Spruce Grove to play the Saints tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 4. Spruce Grove has won the previous two meetings this year, 3-2 in Vernon and 5-4 at home, and all but one of the six career matchups between the two squads has been decided by a goal.
  The other was a 4-2 Vipers win at Kal Tire Place in 2024-25.
  Vernon is trying to snap an eight-game losing streak, and the Vip
  
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• B.C. First Nation withdraws consent for major North Coast propane export facility

  04-02-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Metlakatla First Nation has withdrawn its consent for the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF) project.
  In a release this morning (Feb. 4), Metlakatla said its consent for the $1.35 billion project now under construction in Prince Rupert Harbour was “unlawfully obtained,” citing an “undisclosed” exclusivity agreement between the project proponents (Altagas and Royal Vopak) and the Prince Rupert Port Authority.
  “In 2015, the Prince Rupert Port Authority (P
  
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• Beefs & Bouquets, Feb. 4

  04-02-2026 20:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  BOUQUET To those who keep vegetation cut back so it doesn’t encroach on sidewalks.
  BEEF To the City of Nanaimo for not having more garbage cans available throughout the city. Every bus stop is covered in litter.
  BOUQUET To Leonna at Ishtar Beauty Salon and Spa for always being so accommodating with her time and always giving a great haircut.
  BEEF To a local notary for her rudeness and condescending manner to family members. Not just once, but on two occasions. Certainly not the professiona
  
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• SERVICE ALERT: WATER MAIN FLUSHING – February 1, 2026 to March 31, 2026

  04-02-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) water system operators will be flushing (cleaning) watermains in the RDN Water Service Areas as part of the annual watermain maintenance program.
  Residents will be notified a week prior to the flushing in their area via sandwich boards and/or message board. Keep an eye out! Water Service Area customers should expect temporary disruption of service, intermittent drops in water pressure, and discolouration between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the dates listed above. P
  
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• NOTICE: 2026 PARCEL TAX ROLL REVIEW

  04-02-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel will be held on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1 p.m., for the purpose of hearing complaints as to one or more of the following grounds per section 205(1) of the Community Charter:
  (a) there is an error or omission respecting a name or address on the parcel tax roll;
  (b) there is an error or omission respecting the inclusion of a parcel;
  (c) there is an error or omission respecting the taxable area or the taxable frontage of a parcel;
  (d) an exemption has been im
  
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• Port Alberni RCMP seeking public assistance in locating missing man

  04-02-2026 20:11 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Port Alberni RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating missing person Desmond Shipman.
  He was reported missing Jan. 30 in Port Alberni. Shipman also goes by the name Dez Lasas and is believed to be a former resident of Salmon Arm, Mounties say.
  People are asked to contact the Port Alberni RCMP at 250-723-2424 if they konw anything about the whereabouts of Shipman.
  
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• Yukon University exit forces contingency shift for 2026 Arctic Winter Games

  04-02-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Yukon University has withdrawn from its role as a hub for the 2026 Arctic Winter Games, prompting organizers to rework major operational plans less than 40 days before athletes arrive in Whitehorse.
  The university and the 2026 Arctic Winter Games Host Society announced the decision Feb. 2, ending agreements for food services, venue access and several Games‑time operations originally slated for the Ayamdigut campus.
  The university said in a news release that it could not secure clarity arou
  
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• What’s On, Feb. 4

  04-02-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  MUSIC
  Ribcage & Dry Goods perform psychedelic free funk and improv jazz at the Vault Café on Feb. 6. Show begins at 9 p.m., cost is $15 or pay what you can.
  Chase The Bear w/ Dead Summer perform rock at The Queen’s on Feb. 6 from 6:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance at www.showpass.com. Show is 19+.
  G-REX performs with Hey It’s Pablo and NYXIUM at The Queen’s on Feb. 6 from 10-2 a.m. Tickets $33 online at www.showpass.com. Show is 19+.
  Jazz Night with Hans Verhoeve
  
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• Union head against a North Cowichan special task force on forestry

  04-02-2026 19:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The national head of the union representing workers at the Crofton pulp mill is not in favour of efforts to have a special task force formed locally to investigate the reasons for the troubles in the forest industry.
  Geoff Dawe is the president of the Public and Private Workers of Canada which represents more than 400 workers at the Crofton pulp mill, which will soon close permanently.
  He spoke to North Cowichan’s council at its meeting on Jan. 21 about a proposed motion by Coun. Tek Manha
  
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• Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman to run for Conservative leadership

  04-02-2026 19:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman has announced that he will run for the leadership of the B.C. Conservatives.
  Banman has launched a website for his campaign, listing several reasons why he is running, including “to put our Party’s house in order, put grassroots members in charge of Party affairs and position B.C Conservatives for victory.”
  He also states that he wants to repeal DRIPA (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act) and push for the reversal of the 2025 B.
  
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• B.C. Interior’s Sunrise Expansion Program gets nod from Canadian Energy Regulator

  04-02-2026 18:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Program has cleared the final regulatory hurdle pending federal approval.
  On Jan. 30, 2026, the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) recommended the approval of the project, which will see the Westcoast Pipeline system be expanded across B.C. In a release, the CER said the project is in the public interest, and it recommends a certificate be issued to authorize the project.
  The Sunrise Expansion Program will create 11 new natural gas pipeline loops, totalling 139 ki
  
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• Let the (Olympic) Games begin for Vernon, B.C., skier

  04-02-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Three knee surgeries. Long rehabilitation. Setbacks. Doubts.
  The last four years for Vernon freestyle skier Elena Gaskell have been a fight.
  But she didn’t tap out.
  No, Gaskell worked her butt off coming back from two devastating injuries to earn a spot on Canada’s Olympic Freestyle Ski Team.
  The Olympics start this Friday in Milano Cortina, Italy.
  “It still doesn’t feel real,” said Gaskell, 24, in an Instagram interview after being named to the team. She’ll c
  
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• B.C. clinical trial shows promising signs for prostate cancer treatment

  04-02-2026 17:46 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A clinical trial underway in Victoria could help men with prostate cancer spend less time in hospitals and more time living life.
  The five-month-old pilot, called ADAPT-25, uses artificial intelligence and high-precision radiation to target cancerous cells – a process that affects healthy tissue less than typical radiation and reduces treatment from sometimes 40 visits over several weeks to just two days.
  “In the past, curative radiation treatments … have been very inconvenien
  
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• VIDEO: Deaf owner brews coffee and community connections in B.C. cafe

  04-02-2026 15:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Growing up in the Philippines, Maria Tanjaoui was taught not to use sign language.
  As the only deaf person in her family, she was discouraged from using sign language and forbidden from signing at school. Instead, she was expected to navigate an oral-based education system – one she says she struggled to follow.
  “I actually signed (the number) three and they hit me in the face – so it was very not allowed,” says Tanjaoui, speaking through an American Sign Language (ASL) i
  
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• City of Nanaimo accepting applications for environmental project grants

  04-02-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Organizations, groups and individuals looking to take on environmental projects in Nanaimo could be eligible for funding from the city.
  The city is inviting applications for two types of environmental action grants: the Community Watershed Restoration Grant – for restoration and habitat protection projects near a river, lake or wetland – and the Community Environmental Sustainability Project Grant, which supports a wide variety of sustainability projects.
  The city started accepting a
  
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• ‘He’s back again’: Man arrested in Nanaimo standoff returns to crime scene - CHEK News

  04-02-2026 02:52 via news.google.com
  ‘He’s back again’: Man arrested in Nanaimo standoff returns to crime scene  CHEK News
  
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• Hearing to reopen Cowichan Tribes case delayed, first to find ‘who knew what, when’

  04-02-2026 01:36 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The court hearing to debate an application by Montrose Properties to reopen the Cowichan Tribes land title case is being delayed.
  David Rosenberg, the lawyer representing the Cowichan Tribes, first wants to ascertain how much the company knew of the case before it was decided last August.
  Montrose argues it knew little and was unaware of the potential impacts to its land, so it deserves a chance to be added as a defendant and have a say in court.
  In an attempt to prove otherwise, Rosenberg is fi
  
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• State of Emergency lifted after weekend flooding in Comox Valley - Nanaimo News Bulletin

  04-02-2026 01:35 via news.google.com
  State of Emergency lifted after weekend flooding in Comox Valley  Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
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