Nanaimo news

• James (Jamie) Smith

  23-12-2025 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  In loving memory ~
  May 2, 1977 – December 5, 2025
  Survived by son Brayden, parents Chuck and Susan, brother Jeremy (Brenda), niece Peyton and nephew Cody and many family members and friends.
  Forever remembered and always in our hearts!
  
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• Nanaimo will celebrate New Year’s Day with ‘Activate’ rec centre party

  27-12-2025 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  City of Nanaimo is inviting families to start off 2026 by getting active at Beban Park.
  Hot off the city’s Winter Wonderland event during the last week of December, Activate 2026 takes place at the Nanaimo recreation complex on Thursday, Jan. 1, from noon to 5 p.m.
  Numerous recreation activities, including swimming at Beban pool and skating at Frank Crane Arena, are being planned by the city’s parks, recreation and culture department. Skating sessions run from 12:15-1:45 p.m., 2-3:30
  
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• Headline history: School board was looking into televising meetings 35 years ago

  26-12-2025 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  It may be hard to remember a time when everything wasn’t broadcast online, but 35 years ago local school trustees were just starting conversations about filming meetings.
  In the Bulletin on Dec. 31, 1990, school district chair Ingrid Clark wrote a column in the paper, updating the public on plans that could result in board meetings being filmed and televised.
  In the past, Clark noted that the option wasn’t feasible due to “cramped conditions and poor sound quality,” but u
  
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• NALT seeking donations of used Christmas trees for salmon habitat

  26-12-2025 14:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Salmon in rural streams have plenty of cover to hide from predators using fallen brush, but for urban streams natural cover needs to be supplemented – cue the Christmas tree.
  Following the holidays, volunteers with the Nanaimo and Area Land Trust are picking up donations of Christmas trees, which will be installed in local urban streams to help young fish find places to hide in the new year.
  “They make really good fish habitat and it can actually be hard to find the right size of bra
  
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• Emily Lowan working from the outside to bring activist energy to B.C. Greens

  26-12-2025 13:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Emily Lowan wants to be the “bridge” between activists and government.
  The new B.C. Green Party leader developed this idea while attending the University of Victoria, working with the student council and protesters to force the school administration to divest from the fossil fuel industry.
  “Students still putting pressure on the outside and having that heat from different points in the student union definitely informed a theory of change that I still carry now,” she said
  
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• 2025 IN REVIEW: A look back at some of the stories that dominated politics in B.C.

  26-12-2025 13:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  They say it’s never boring in B.C. politics. And 2025 did nothing to contradict that statement.
  Here are some of the stories that occupied the policy-makers and captured much of our attention across the province this year:
  Trudeau fall, Carney rise
  Facing increased pressure as 2024 came to a close, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau began the New Year by announcing he was stepping aside, leaving his Liberals facing a leadership race and a deep political hole to crawl out of.
  But crawl out they
  
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• Highway 3 reopens to traffic between Hope and Princeton

  25-12-2025 23:28 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton has reopened to traffic following a major washout on Dec. 16.
  The Transportation Ministry announced just before midnight on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24) that the highway had reopened eight days after the washout 42 kilometres east of the Highway 3/5 junction.
  The ministry had previously said it would open before the New Year. A release from the ministry credits the earlier-than-expected opening due “to around-the-clock efforts of ministry contractors and the
  
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• Ride of the Year: B.C. mountain biker wins Red Bull Rampage as a rookie

  25-12-2025 17:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  With an emotional cocktail of fear, nervousness and excitement brewing in his mind, Hayden Zablotny dropped in.
  The 22-year-old Vernon rider had gotten the call to take part in the world’s most dare-devilish mountain biking event, Red Bull Rampage, and after weeks of preparation, it was time to throw down a massive line.
  It was a line Zablotny had designed himself and built with a team of trail builders down the rocky outcrops in the desert lands of Virgin, Utah.
  “I tried to have, wh
  
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• Dogs anchor us in the reason for the season

  25-12-2025 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The holidays arrive with a long list of expectations such as perfect meals, full calendars and meaningful moments that are somehow supposed to happen on schedule.
  In the middle of all that, a dog does something quietly powerful; they bring us back to what matters. With a dog in the home at Christmas, the season stops being about getting everything right and starts becoming about being present.
  Dogs don’t participate in the holiday rush; they interrupt it. While we hurry from one task to th
  
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• QUIZ: How much do you really know about Christmas?

  25-12-2025 13:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  For many, Christmas on Dec. 25 is a day of celebrating with family and friends, exchanging gifts, carolling and enjoying a special meal.
  The day has a religious significance for many. It is also a special time for family.
  There are plenty of customs and traditions surrounding this time of year.
  How much do you know about Christmas and other related celebrations?
  Pour a cup of hot chocolate or a glass of eggnog and put your knowledge to the test with these 20 questions.
  Good luck.READ MORE: QUIZ:
  
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• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: White House needs Christmas spirits

  25-12-2025 13:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  To the editor,
  Believe it or not, Charles Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol in only six weeks. The novella was first published on Dec. 19, 1843, and the story of Ebenezer Scrooge being visited by the ghost of his deceased business partner along with Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come was an instant best-seller. We all remember how Scrooge badly treated everybody he came into contact with, but was frightened by the ghostly spirits into changing his mean-spirited and greedy ways to f
  
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• Surrey resident just won $89,762.50 in B.C.’s Bright Nights 50/50 raffle

  25-12-2025 00:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  D. Bouillet of Surrey is $89,762.50 richer as winner of this year’s Bright Nights 50/50 raffle.
  The winner takes half of the $179,525 jackpot in the annual raffle, according to a post on brightnightsraffle.com, where tickets were sold to B.C. residents only.
  Entry deadline was Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 11:59 p.m. (end of day), and the draw was held Wednesday at noon (Dec. 24).
  The raffle supports the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund, the charity of more than 4,800 professional fire
  
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• ‘Sitting ducks’: Sikh leaders take aim at Canada’s failures on extortion crisis

  25-12-2025 00:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Three Sikh organizations took the federal government to task for their failure to address B.C.’s ongoing extortion crisis, during a public town hall held in Surrey earlier this month.
  The World Sikh Organization of Canada, Sikh Federation, and British Columbia Gurdwaras Council brought together government officials and high-ranking members of local law enforcement agencies to discuss targeted Indian transnational repression and coordinated extortion towards Sikh communities in Canada. The
  
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• Fire destroys multiple vehicles at Okanagan dealership

  24-12-2025 23:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  An investigation is underway into a Christmas Eve early morning fire at a Vernon auto dealership.
  Social media posts shows heavy smoke and numerous damaged vehicles at Vernon Kia on the Swan Lake Auto Mile.Danni and Chris Van der Molen posted that they were jolted out of bed at around 2 a.m. by sounds of explosions.
  “We jumped out of bed, and ran upstairs to see a multiple vehicle fire at Vernon Kia across the road,” said Danni.
  The fire resulted in no injuries, the dealership confir
  
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• SAY WHAT?!: Settling that essential Christmas debate: reindeer or elves?

  24-12-2025 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Welcome to Say What?, our recurring columnist duel wherein important issues are debated and petty scores get settled.
  In today’s edition, reporters Tom Zytaruk and Tricia Leslie face off over the important question: Reindeer or elves?
  *
  TOM ZYTARUK: REINDEER RULE
  Reindeers are real, elves aren’t. There, I won.
  But just for argument’s sake, let’s suspend our disbelief, against better judgment, and contemplate a scenario where scrawny elves and robust flying red-nosed reind
  
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• Patient admissions resume at Port Alberni hospital while ICU remains closed

  24-12-2025 22:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  West Coast General Hospital is re-open for patient admissions.
  The hospital has secured enough hospitalist physicians to sustainably resume service, an Island Health official said Wedneday morning, Dec. 24.
  Hospitalists are medical doctors who specialize in in-patient hospital care, providing treatment for people who do not have a primary care physician.
  The Port Alberni-based hospital temporarily closed to admissions in mid-December, especially for people without a family doctor, citing staffin
  
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• Police investigating after man injured in ‘targeted’ shooting on Island

  24-12-2025 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  West Shore RCMP is investigating a “targeted” shooting in Colwood that sent one man to hospital.
  Officers responded to reports of shots fired on Fulton Road near Betula Place in Colwood on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 7:49 p.m.
  “Witnesses reported that shots had been fired from one vehicle towards another vehicle, striking the driver, a 34-year-old man, who was taken to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” said an RCMP news release.
  West Shore RCMP Police Dog
  
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• Kelowna UNESCO gastronomy title questioned amid migrant worker concerns

  24-12-2025 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Earlier this year, Kelowna received international recognition as it was declared a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.
  The designation was historic regionally as well as nationally, as Kelowna is Canada’s first city to receive the honour, and only the third city in North America to do so.
  Director of Secretariat of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, David Schimpky, previously said the designation, “honours Kelowna’s commitment to harnessing the creative field of gastronomy as a powerfu
  
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• Muriel Alberta Matte (nee Young)

  24-12-2025 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  In loving memory ~
  May 11, 1933 – December 19, 2025
  Muriel Alberta Matte passed away peacefully with her younger daughter Debra by her bedside. Muriel was born in Battle Lake, Alberta.She is pre-deceased by her husband of 68 years, Philip Matte; her son, Richard (Jacqueline); her daughter, Gail. She is survived by her daughter Debra (Ron) Postey, 8 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She leaves behind a sister, Jean (Lou) and Peggy (Gordon). Muriel had a
  
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• Beefs & Bouquets, Dec. 24

  24-12-2025 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  BOUQUET To Laura at Highview Optical. I recommend Highview every chance I get. Your courtesy, kindness, patience, expertise and reasonable prices make you our ‘go-to’ for all our eyeglasses. You are just the best.
  BEEF To people who ignore, normalize and lie about the exploding homelessness crisis and its critical root cause: zero genuine access to effective, skilled or ethical government mental health assessments, treatment and housing supports. Extra beef to those who blame, crimin
  
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• Operation Popcorn: B.C. liver recipient thanks health care workers in annual tradition

  24-12-2025 20:12 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A pediatric liver recipient spent a dreary December morning spreading some joy — and popcorn — to Chilliwack Hospital health care teams.
  Ian Sewell and his mom Amanda were met in the lobby of the hospital on Dec. 3 by BC Transplant staff. It’s become an annual tradition for the Sewell family, as they visit various wards and chat briefly while dropping off a large box of goodies.
  It’s dubbed Operation Popcorn, and happens across hospitals throughout B.C. in December.
  Ian i
  
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• What’s On, Dec. 24

  24-12-2025 19:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  MUSIC
  Boomboxer plays alternative rock covers on Dec. 27 at 8 p.m. at the Queen’s Hotel. Doors at 7 p.m. Tickets $16.50 in advance at www.showpass.com/boomboxerthequeens or $20 at the door.
  Johnny Russell plays rockin’ blues music Dec. 27 at 9 p.m. at the Vault Café. Admission $20 at the door.
  Eras: A tribute to Taylor Swift, plays New Year’s Eve at the Queen’s Hotel on Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $35 or $55 for both that night’s shows at www.showpass.com/ny
  
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• Federal MP Aaron Gunn will not seek B.C. Conservative Party leadership

  24-12-2025 19:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  North Island–Powell River MP Aaron Gunn has ruled himself out of seeking the leadership of the B.C. Conservative Party.
  “While the risk is small that my departure could upend the balance of power in Ottawa and give the Liberals that majority government, any risk is too great a risk for me,” Gunn said in a press release on Dec. 24. “I must put my constituents first.”
  Gunn first hinted at the possibility of running in early December, posting on X, formerly known as Tw
  
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• Failed MLA drops court challenge of B.C. election results 14 months later

  24-12-2025 18:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The 2024 election of MLA Garry Begg in Surrey-Guildford is no longer challenged in court, more than 14 months after the very close provincial vote.
  Begg’s 22-vote win in the North Surrey riding — a key victory for the NDP in October 2024 — was subject of legal challenge by Conservative candidate Honveer Singh Randhawa, who alleged potential violations of the Election Act.
  Randhawa’s case in B.C. Supreme Court, which focused on how mail-in ballots from the Argyll Lodge car
  
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• ‘Enjoy life because it’s short’: B.C. man back on his feet after double lung transplant

  24-12-2025 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Duncan resident Ted Harris got a wake-up call about how precious life is when he underwent a double lung transplant in September of 2024.
  He was called to Vancouver the month before to take part in the final testing, which took 14 days. After that he waited only two weeks for a match.
  “This was very miraculous for me otherwise I would not be here today,” said Harris. “I’m very grateful to my donor, and my donor’s family. A transplant is something that saves lives, b
  
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• Tail cut off the second horse in three weeks in Cowichan Valley

  24-12-2025 17:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  For the second time in three weeks, a Cowichan Valley horse’s tail has been lopped off.
  Lee Anne Mansueti confirmed that sometime during the night of Sunday Dec. 21, a chunk of tail was cut off of her senior horse at her North Cowichan farm.
  “The chunk taken off is nowhere to be found,” Mansueti confirmed. “It was not pulled or chewed off. It was cut.”
  The incident is remarkably similar to what happened to Linda Greville’s horse on Dec. 1 when unknown trespass
  
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• What to watch: It’s the time of year for B.C.’s holiday movie favourites

  24-12-2025 16:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Whether you love to watch the same Christmas shows each year or discover new favourites, there’s plenty of options for seasonal viewing at this time of year.
  From Hallmark movies to classics from many decades ago, the range of choice and variety is nearly endless.
  We’ve rounded up a list of recommended viewing from Black Press Media reporters, so grab a blanket, some popcorn (and perhaps some hot cocoa), and tuck into a holiday movie.
  STAFF FAVES
  The Home Alone Franchise (1990-2021)
  
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• Snowfall warning in place for Coquihalla Highway as 10-15 cm expected

  24-12-2025 16:34 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Snow is going to continue to fall on the Coquihalla Highway throughout the day on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, Dec. 24.
  Environment Canada has issued a yellow-coded snowfall warning for the stretches of highway from Hope to Merritt and from Merritt to Kamloops as 10-15 cm is expected.
  “A frontal system approaching from Washington will bring snow to Southwestern B.C.,” said Environment Canada. “The snow began this morning and will intensify later in the day.”
  Visibility will
  
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• B.C.’s Pattullo Bridge replacement project makes its ‘by Christmas’ opening, kind of

  24-12-2025 16:26 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Just one of four lanes will open on the new Stal̕əw̓asəm Bridge on Wednesday (Dec. 24), keeping a B.C. government promise to have vehicles use the Pattullo Bridge replacement by Christmas but falling short of what some might consider an “open” bridge.
  More work and time is needed to fully open the Surrey-New Westminster connector, a $1.6-billion project hit with construction delays and questions about the size of the new bridge (some want six lanes, not four) and
  
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• B.C. cities top list of Canada’s most pampered pets, survey finds

  24-12-2025 16:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  At a damp September fundraiser for CARES (Canadian Animal Rescue and Extended Shelter) in Langley’s Derby Reach Regional Park, Cordelia, a one-year-old calico cat, was perfectly dry in a modified stroller with a transparent polycarbonate cover created by her human.
  Her owner, Christopher McDonald, said it was better than using a leash.
  “Walking a cat’s not like walking a dog,” McDonald commented.
  “This way, she doesn’t have to.”
  Cordelia’s stroller
  
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