Nanaimo news

• Nanaimo hopes for almost $2 million in grants to help fund two infrastructure projects

  06-10-2026 21:33 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo is hoping to access almost $2 million in federal grant funding for two infrastructure projects that are ongoing in the municipality.
  City staff informed the finance and audit committee meeting at its meeting on Sept. 23 that the municipality is preparing a grant application to the Build Communities Strong Fund for up to $1 million towards the approximately $3.1-million East Wellington Road transportation and mobility-upgrade project.
  Staff also told the committee that it has already subm
  
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• B.C. winery owner calls for improving interprovincial alcohol sales

  08-10-2026 00:36 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Summerland winery owner is asking the federal government to take efforts to remove interprovincial barriers on alcohol sales.
  Ron Kubek, owner of Lightning Rock Winery in Summerland, has initiated Petition e-7258, a petition in support of MP Dan Albas’s Bill C-262.
  The petition was presented in the House of Commons on Sept. 25, and the federal government has 45 calendar days to respond.
  This petition came around the time new U.S. restrictions were imposed on many packaged Canadian wines,
  
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• Seniors care project cancellation draws concerns

  08-10-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The group that oversees care providers in B.C. has expressed concern over the cancellation of a long-term care project slated for Vernon.
  A proposed 250-bed facility slated for the 5800 block of Okanagan Landing Road has been pulled by the property owner, Park Place Seniors Living, a Vancouver-based organization who confirmed the project’s cancellation with the Morning Star.
  Park Place cited uncertainty around future operating costs and funding for the Landing Road project, which had been
  
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• Nanaimo RCMP urges caution as morning commutes get darker

  08-10-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  With the days getting shorter, many students may be heading to school while it’s still dark outside.
  Nanaimo RCMP is offering a few simple precautions that can help make morning walks safer.
  Reserve Constable Gary O’Brien said it’s important that students in the city be seen, so they should wear bright or reflective clothing and consider carrying a flashlight.
  He said they should also make sure they use sidewalks and crosswalks.
  “Cross at marked intersections whenever pos
  
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• Bomb threat at secondary school in Prince George prompts evacuation

  07-10-2026 23:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Prince George RCMP are investigating a bomb threat at DP Todd Secondary after staff and students were evacuated this afternoon.
  According to an RCMP press release, Mounties were called to the school located at 444 Hill Ave. after a bomb threat report at the school around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
  Cpl Jennifer Cooper, BC RCMP spokesperson for Northern B.C., said RCMP take all threats to public safety very seriously, especially involving schools.
  “Out of an abundance of caution, staff and
  
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• K’ómoks Economic Development acquires Comox Valley winery and events centre

  07-10-2026 23:08 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  K’ómoks Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) announces the purchase of 40 Knots Winery & Events Centre, a destination winery and vineyard located in the agricultural heart of Comox Valley.
  KEDC is the business and economic development organization for the K’ómoks First Nation (KFN). The KEDC says this acquisition represents a significant achievement in the corporations’s growth strategy and further strengthens its position within the tourism and hospitality
  
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• Crown seeking life sentence for man guilty of manslaughter in 2021 Naramata death

  07-10-2026 23:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Crown is recommending life in prison for the 27-year-old found guilty of manslaughter in the 2021 killing of a Naramata woman.Ekene Anigbo appeared in B.C. Supreme Court in Kelowna on Oct. 7 for his sentencing hearing in front of Justice Alison Beames.
  Anigbo was convicted on Aug. 14 of manslaughter for the killing of 57-year-old Kathleen Richardson, despite having stood trial for first-degree murder.The victim was found dead in the basement of her Naramata home on June 9, 2021. The court heard
  
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• Election 2026: Nanaimo mayoral candidate questionnaires

  07-10-2026 22:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  BRUNIE BRUNIE
  Age 84 – I love this city and this is my city, and I feel responsible for speaking up on certain issues like saving all the trees that are in this city.What will your priorities be if you were elected? My priorities are growing food, big time. High-tech greenhouses for affordable, healthy food. That’s the biggest health care we can possibly do, and greenhouses on every development.
  How do you plan to manage taxes and spending? The economy is not booming and we have to l
  
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• A masterclass in local government politics: 2 B.C. veterans launch podcast

  07-10-2026 22:06 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  After more than two decades on Vanderhoof council, Coun. Brian Frenkel is preparing to leave municipal politics, but he isn’t finished talking about it.
  Frenkel and former Kamloops councillor Arjun Singh are using the run-up to the Oct. 17 local elections to host their YouTube podcast Day to Day Democracy, about how local government works, what it struggles with and who is trying to make it work.
  The show describes local government as the place where “potholes get filled, water comes
  
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• Lowan launches Greens economic vision for B.C.

  07-10-2026 21:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Greens Leader Emily Lowan says her party’s economic vision for the province focuses on four areas.
  Lowan launched the major platform while in Vancouver on Wednesday (Oct. 7). It was her first stop on the mainland since the election campaign began.
  The four areas include stronger regional economies, abundant clean power, more value made in B.C. and a tax system where the ultrawealthy and the largest corporations pay their fair share, says a summary of the plan from the party.
  “So
  
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• Okanagan one-on-one with David Eby

  07-10-2026 21:31 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Black Press had a chance to speak with David Eby on a range of issues facing the Okanagan during a recent stop in Summerland on the campaign trail.After coming to Summerland from a policy announcement earlier that morning in Kelowna, he stopped at the Beanery Cafe for lunch, where he also met with Summerland’s Mayor Doug Holmes.After lunch, he sat down with a Black Press reporter to talk about the region, the recent wildfires, and other topics.
  Some of the questions and answers have been e
  
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• What’s On, Oct. 7

  07-10-2026 21:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  MUSICSimon Kempston will be performing at Ladybug’s Mew in Yellow Point on Oct. 8 at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at www.ladybugsmewinyellowpoint.ca.Fresh Kid On Saturn with guests will be performing at The Globe Live Studio on Oct. 8, with doors at 6:30 p.m. It is an all ages rap show. Tickets are available at www.theglobelivestudio.com.Former Selves and KMCMCMVP with VOID DJ will be performing indie rock, post punk, low brow pop and DJ spins at The Vault Cafe on Oct. 8 at 9 p.m. Cost is
  
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• BC Conservatives’ Doerkson announces plan to ‘supercharge’ B.C. economy

  07-10-2026 20:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Conservative Party of BC leader Lorne Doerkson is in Surrey in Wednesday (Oct. 7) announcing his party’s plan to “supercharge” the British Columbia economy.
  Doerkson made a campaign stop at Crown Building Supplies in Newton, where he took aim at BC NDP leader David Eby and announced a package of “pro-business” policies.A campaign release says a Conservative government would:
  • scrap the PST on immediate investment machinery, equipment and business software for
  
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• BC NDP promises to double funding for libraries to $28 mil per year

  07-10-2026 20:36 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Three BC NDP candidates announced outside the Courtenay branch of the Vancouver Island Library on Oct. 7 that a re-elected BC NDP government would permanently double provincial funding for B.C. public libraries.
  That would take funding for public libraries from $14 million to $28 million per year.
  The three candidates were Courtenay-Comox’s Will Cole-Hamilton, North Island’s Sara Lopez, and Vancouver-Little Mountain’s Christine Boyle. The trio were also joined by library truste
  
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• Dancing with the Stars tour announces Abbotsford stop

  07-10-2026 20:33 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The performing pros seen every week on Dancing with the Stars will soon be sashaying from the screen to the stage as part of the recently announced live tour.
  This 60-show schedule includes just two Canadian stops, with the only B.C. show taking place at Rogers Forum in Abbotsford.
  The live show of Dancing with the Stars features an all-new choreographed performance by the professional dancers who have spent the last few years paired with some of North America’s biggest celebrities.
  Return
  
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• 2 Cowichan athletes named RBC Training Ground finalists

  07-10-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Two Cowichan Valley athletes advanced to the 2026 RBC Training Ground finals, beating out close to 3,000 other Olympic hopefuls.
  Mill Bay rugby star Emma Narraway, 16, and Duncan speed climber Jack Whitney, 21, were both invited to the last stage of the Canadian Olympic Committee’s annual official cross-country talent search after competing in an April qualifier, where they will join the Training Ground’s top 98 other athletes to battle for one of 35 funding opportunities.
  Narraway i
  
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• Endangered southern resident orca seen pushing dead calf in B.C. waters

  07-10-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Tragedy has once again touched the critically endangered southern resident killer whales.
  A female orca was observed carrying a dead newborn calf on its nose near Sombrio Point in the Strait of Juan de Fuca on Oct. 3.
  The death was confirmed by researcher Mark Malleson from Washington-based Center for Whale Research, who encountered the orca identified as J31 – also known as Tsuchi – travelling with her immediate family.
  “It’s unclear whether the newborn was a male or fem
  
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• Duncan boundary realignment study finds limited financial impact on municipalities

  07-10-2026 19:49 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  An independent study examining a potential boundary realignment between the City of Duncan and Municipality of North Cowichan has found the overall financial impact on either municipality would likely be limited, although some property owners could see higher tax bills.
  The completed technical study was presented to Duncan council at an open meeting on Sept. 28 and received for information. No decision has been made to pursue a boundary change, and the two boundaries examined in the report were
  
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• THE MOJ: B.C. Lions continue roll with unusual win over Toronto

  07-10-2026 19:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  LIONS CONTINUE TO ROLL: The B.C. Lions’ 24-17 win against the Argos in Toronto on Saturday was rather unusual. Unusual in the sense that you don’t win many football games when you don’t score a touchdown but you do when kicker Sean Whyte boots a team-record eight field goals and your defence gets two turnovers in the final three minutes of the game as the Lions did with a T.J. Lee interception and an unbelievable goal line stand in the dying seconds. The bottom line is that it
  
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• Japanese retailer Muji opens 5th B.C. location at Mayfair centre in Victoria

  07-10-2026 19:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A much-anticipated Japanese shop opens its latest B.C. location at Mayfair Shopping Centre on Oct. 24.Founded in 1980, Muji’s origin was to provide simple, low-cost, good quality products.
  Now with more than 1,000 stores around the world, carrying more than 7,000 items ranging from clothing and household goods to food and even houses, Muji brings its minimalist approach and vast array of goods to Victoria with the company’s fifth shop in the province.
  The Mayfair Muji hosts a grand o
  
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• Four-peat: Victoria named world’s best small city once again

  07-10-2026 19:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Move over, Venice and Florence. For the fourth year running, travellers have declared Victoria the undisputed king of small cities.
  The waterfront capital took first place in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler, beating out renowned global hotspots including Porto, Dubrovnik, Amalfi and San Sebastián.
  The award recognizes cities with populations under 350,000.
  Nearly 800,000 readers across the United States took part in the annual survey to rate their trave
  
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• BC NDP promises new support for small businesses hit by U.S. trade war

  07-10-2026 18:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  BC NDP leader David Eby says small businesses hit by U.S. tariffs will be eligible for interest-free loans to help them get through Trump’s trade war with Canada.
  Eby is in Surrey Wednesday morning (Oct. 7) as leaders continue their provincial tours in advance of the Oct. 24 B.C. election.Eby also announced that the BC NDP will also introduce a new tax credit for businesses that provide a young person with their first job, as well as expanding support for those businesses that want to expo
  
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• New coaches to steer VIU Mariners’ basketball teams for 2026/27 season

  07-10-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  New head coaches will skipper Vancouver Island University women’s and men’s basketball teams as they attempt to return to the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship games this season.
  Tony Bryce and Matt Kuzminski, last season’s respective women’s and men’s bench bosses, have both moved on, making way for Luke Holmes, Bryce’s assistant, and Eric D’Andrea, who previously played for Kuzminski.
  The women’s team captured both Pacific Wes
  
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• Vehicle incident snarls Pat Bay Highway traffic

  07-10-2026 18:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Drivers saw delays on the Pat Bay Highway on Wednesday (Oct. 7) after a morning crash southbound.
  Emergency services were on scene just before 9 a.m. after a driver managed to straddle a concrete barrier in a single-vehicle incident on Highway 17.
  Chief Stacey Lee of the Central Saanich Fire Department said the collision involved three vehicles and resulted in the closure of both fast lanes. He says two people have been transported to hospital.
  The highway opened up again just past 10 a.m.
  
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• Single-vehicle crash snarls Pat Bay Highway traffic

  07-10-2026 18:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Drivers can expect delays on the Pat Bay Highway on Wednesday (Oct. 7) after a morning crash southbound.
  Emergency services were on scene around 9 a.m. after a driver managed to straddle a concrete barrier in a single-vehicle incident on Highway 17.
  More to come …
  
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• B.C. ball hockey team completes undefeated run to capture national title

  07-10-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A year after a quiet quarterfinal exit, a Langford ball hockey team stormed through New Jersey to capture a national title.
  The West Coast Giants capped a perfect season by winning the National Ball Hockey League (NBHL) Tier 2 championship, finishing an undefeated six-game run with a 5-2 victory over the South Jersey Soul on Sept. 20.
  It was a dominant tournament for the club, which plays out of Eagle Ridge Community Centre in Langford.
  The Giants also went 10-0 during the regular season against
  
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• Break point: Kelowna to continue with indoor tennis court plan after terminating contract with partner

  07-10-2026 17:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Almost a year and a half after a new indoor tennis court was announced, the City of Kelowna is looking for a new partner.On Tuesday, Oct. 6, the City announced it is still moving ahead with the project at Mission Recreation Park, but has terminated its agreement with Tennis Clubs of Canada (TCC).
  “Our focus is on moving this project forward responsibly as the need for more year-round tennis opportunities in Kelowna has not changed,” said Doug Nicholas, City of Kelowna sport and event
  
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• Ladysmith storyteller brings forgotten female composer’s story to the stage

  07-10-2026 17:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Ladysmith resident and storyteller Rachel Dunstan Muller is helping bring the life and music of a once overlooked 19th century female composer to the stage in Nanaimo.
  She Composed, Herself: The Life and Music of Mel Bonis will debut Saturday, Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre by The Quill & Scroll Ensemble, combining storytelling with live cello and piano to explore the life of French composer Melanie “Mel” Bonis.
  The original production has been more than two years in th
  
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• The Island looks different from the highway shoulder

  07-10-2026 16:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  I’ve driven across Vancouver Island more times than I can count, usually focused entirely on the destination.
  But seeing it at 25 kilometres an hour changes the landscape entirely. When you’re spending hours in the saddle with the wind in your face, the Island you thought you knew starts to shift.
  Over 14 days, our team pedalled more than 1,000 kilometres from Port Alice to Greater Victoria. Together, we raised more than $700,000 for childhood cancer research and support programs.
  So
  
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• Pop-punk heavyweights Simple Plan bringing tour to Victoria

  07-10-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A pop-punk favourite is bringing a stacked lineup to Victoria early next year.
  Simple Plan will bring its Bigger Than You Think! Canada Tour to Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Jan. 26, 2027, with Marianas Trench and Bowling For Soup joining the Montreal-based band for the Victoria stop.
  The show will mark the first stop of the 15-city Canadian tour, which runs through January and February.
  “Canada, it’s FINALLY your turn,” the band wrote in a social media announcement Tuesday
  
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