Nanaimo news

• North Cowichan moves to require public hearing for potential data centres

  23-09-2026 20:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  North Cowichan council has unanimously backed a move to prohibit data centres as a permitted land use in the municipality, a decision intended to ensure any future proposal would have to come before council and the public.
  Coun. Chris Istace brought the motion forward at the Sept. 2 meeting, describing it as a proactive measure in response to the rapidly evolving data-centre industry, particularly facilities associated with cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
  “I think the resident
  
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• Parties leaders set for a five-way race to B.C. election day

  24-09-2026 01:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  As the dust settles on the snap election call that will send British Columbians to the polls on Oct. 24, the teams are shuffling players and the race has begun.
  Two out of the five parties with seats in the legislature have new leaders. Several prominent incumbent party cabinet members say they are bowing out of the race. And the B.C. Conservative Party seems to be quickly reassembling a formidable centre-right coalition.
  It is now shaping up to be a five-way race.
  Here are the major players and
  
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• Eby focuses on U.S. health worker recruitment at Surrey border stop

  24-09-2026 01:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A vote for the Conservatives is a vote for the pro-Trump camp, David Eby told those gathered at a campaign stop Wednesday.That was one of the BC NDP leader’s main themes at a press conference held at Peace Arch Park in South Surrey, on the Canada-U.S. border, Wednesday (Sept. 23), where he told media and supporters his focus, should he be re-elected, is to triple U.S. health-care worker recruitment with a $15-million campaign.
  After outlining several NDP achievements and investments while
  
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• Lorne Doerkson to remain as B.C. Conservative leader if elected premier

  24-09-2026 00:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  There is no plan to hold another leadership race if the B.C. Conservatives win the provincial election, the party’s board says.
  The party’s board of directors said Wednesday (Sept. 23) that if interim Leader Lorne Doerkson leads the party to a victory on Oct. 24, he will remain as party leader.
  The board says it will take the appropriate steps under the party’s constitution and bylaws and the Societies Act to make that change.
  To amend the constitution, the party board would ne
  
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• 22 Nanaimo council candidates address climate crisis

  23-09-2026 23:54 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Twenty-two Nanaimo councillor and mayoral candidates addressed how they will handle running the city in a worsening climate emergency at a recent election forum, hosted by Nanaimo Climate Action Hub.
  Kevin Lindsay, director with the hub, told the News Bulletin, he felt they received a “great representation of a lot of views and a lot of priorities” in addition to commitments on climate action in different ways.
  “We wanted to hold this forum because … climate change and h
  
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• Vancouver man experiences Okanagan wildfire season on cross-country coffee bike tour

  23-09-2026 22:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Most Lower Mainland residents are somewhat insulated from the dangers and anxieties of wildfire season that most Okanagan residents have come to accept as a reality.
  When Vlad Priadko decided to take the mobile aspect of his mobile Vancouver coffee shop to another level by trekking across the country and back with it, the journey included a first-hand reckoning with that reality.Priadko is the owner of Coffee Bike World, which he started in Vancouver and grew into an international mobile espress
  
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• Phased project, surveying to determine overall health of Okanagan Lake, shorelines

  23-09-2026 22:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Lakes are like people, they need check-ups too.
  Starting this month and taking place in phases over three years, Living Lakes Canada, the Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and Westbank First Nation (WFN) will be working with many industry partners to survey all 290 kilometres of Okanagan Lake’s shoreline.
  The survey, which Living Lakes Canada coins as a “physical exam” will involve checking land use, shoreline condition, vegetation, streams, and human-made structures.
  “Human ac
  
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• Hundreds gathered in Bowen Park for Terry Fox Run

  23-09-2026 21:13 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Hundreds of people gathered in Bowen Park last weekend for the annual Terry Fox Run.The run took place on Sunday, Sept. 20, with participants running around two point two kilometre route, doing as many laps as they could.Mayor Leonard Krog spoke to attendees, reminiscing about the original race and the day the race ended for Fox, on June 28, 1981, due to bone cancer that had spread to his lungs.
  “I don’t think there was a Canadian who didn’t see the TV story in the evening news
  
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• Former B.C. finance minister Brenda Bailey not seeking re-election

  23-09-2026 21:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Former finance minister Brenda Bailey will not be running in the provincial election.
  Bailey, who was first elected in 2020, made the announcement in a social media post Wednesday (Sept. 23).
  More to come.
  
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• Bailey out: Another member of Eby’s cabinet not running in B.C. snap election

  23-09-2026 21:07 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Former finance minister Brenda Bailey will not be running in the provincial election.
  Bailey, who was first elected in 2020, made the announcement in a social media post Wednesday (Sept. 23).
  “I am proud of the work I have done in every portfolio I have been given, but I am especially proud of the work we did to create and protect good jobs and to build B.C.’s technology, innovation and life sciences sectors. We invested in talent. We worked to help B.C. companies grow here and creat
  
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• 328 kilograms of cocaine, worth $5.8M, seized from Vancouver shipping container

  23-09-2026 20:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Vancouver police say it made its largest cocaine seizure ever after staff at a company found drugs.
  Police were called to a Vancouver-based company on July 21 after staff found 14 duffle bags of drugs hidden among boxes of T-shirts, according to a news release Wednesday (Sept. 23). Police added the shirts were a legitimate order to the company.
  “Obviously, the business was shocked by what it found. They called police right away and are in no way associated with the seized cocaine,” S
  
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• What’s On, Sept. 23

  23-09-2026 20:34 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  MUSIC
  All Ages Punk and Alternative Show will be happening at The Globe Live Studio on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available at www.theglobelivestudio.com.AMPLIFY: Bear Grease The Musical will be playing at Port Theatre on Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available at www.porttheatre.com.Celebrating John Coltrane turns 100 hosted by Hans Verhoeven and special guests will be playing at The Vault Cafe on Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. Cost is $15.
  The Andrew Michael Blues Band will be playing at The Queen
  
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• Patricia Mary Moseley (nee Clarke)

  23-09-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  September 29, 1941 – June 13, 2026
  Moseley, Patricia Mary (nee Clarke) born September 29, 1941, deceased June 13, 2026. Pat was loving wife to Peter, mom to Gordon (Jo), Tina (Michael), grandmother to Harrison (+Jamie) Horne, Emerald (+Karl) Bonnici and Marabel (+Evan) Jeske. Aunt to many nieces and nephews.
  Patsy was born in Victoria but raised in Hot Spring’s Cove. Later, she settled in Victoria and married Peter on October 3rd, 1964. She and Peter then moved to
  
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• Grace Elizabeth (Baumel) Mathews

  23-09-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  October 24, 1946 – August 04, 2026
  Grace passed away peacefully on August 4 at the young age of 79. Just a few months before her 80th Birthday.
  Grace was born and raised in Nanaimo, B.C., and graduated from N.D.S.S. in 1964.
  Grace went on to pursue a career in Banking, working for the Royal Bank for 37 years.
  As fate would have it, Larry also worked for the Royal Bank and that is where she met the love of her life. Along with Larry, Grace acquired 3 wonderful step daught
  
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• Edward William Gogo

  23-09-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  August 19, 1938 – September 4, 2026
  It is with profound sadness that we the Gogo family announce the passing of Edward William Gogo.
  Ed was known to be a hardworking man his entire life, as well as being a kind and generous person as well.
  Ed is predeceased by his former wife Yvonne Gogo-Coombs, his sister Marjorie, and his brothers Ken, and Ron.
  Ed is survived by sisters Laura and Marilyn, and brothers Dan and Mike. Ed is also survived by his children: Terra Gogo-Barton
  
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• B.C. Greens Leader Lowan to run in Saanich North and the Islands

  23-09-2026 20:03 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan will be running in the Saanich North and the Islands riding, while incumbent Rob Botterell is out.The seat has been held by Botterell since the 2024 provincial election.Lowan and Botterell were joined by incumbent MLA West Vancouver-Sea to Sky Jeremy Valeriote
  More to come.
  
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• Courtenay-Comox MLA Brennan Day has rejoined Conservative Party as snap election looms

  23-09-2026 19:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Brennan Day, the incumbent MLA for Courtenay-Comox, has announced he is rejoining the Conservative Party of British Columbia as he launches his re-election campaign.
  “The last week has involved some hard conversations. I left because I believed the party had lost its way. My values have not changed. But the leadership and direction over the last few weeks have. Moderation has won out over division, and it is time to focus on the much bigger challenges facing British Columbia,” Day po
  
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• Incumbent MLA Á’a:líya Warbus returns to Conservatives

  23-09-2026 19:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, has returned to the Conservative Party of BC.
  Warbus made the announcement in a statement made to social media on Tuesday (Sept. 22), hours after Premier David Eby called a snap election for Oct. 24.
  “I left the BC Conservative caucus because I believed I had to. I could not stay silent when the direction of the party no longer reflected the kind of principled, responsible and centre-right conservatism we all ne
  
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• Chilliwack-Cultus Lake incumbent Á’a:líya Warbus returns to B.C. Conservatives

  23-09-2026 19:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake, has returned to the Conservative Party of BC.
  Warbus made the announcement in a statement made to social media on Tuesday (Sept. 22), hours after Premier David Eby called a snap election for Oct. 24.
  “I left the BC Conservative caucus because I believed I had to. I could not stay silent when the direction of the party no longer reflected the kind of principled, responsible and centre-right conservatism we all ne
  
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• Elections BC needs to hire 17K workers to run snap election

  23-09-2026 19:21 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Elections BC is gearing up for a snap provincial election and needs to hire 17,000 workers to run it.
  “The previous election, we had 17,000 people,” B.C. Chief Electoral Officer Shipra Verma said Wednesday. “We still need to hire the same amount of people to deliver the same level of service.”
  Verma would not say how many people Elections BC has hired so far.Elections BC may also have some challenges securing enough polling places. Advance voting will run for the provinci
  
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• BC RCMP should review vulnerable prisoner care after in-custody death: Inquest

  23-09-2026 19:19 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The jury in the BC Coroners Service inquest into the death of a woman in White Rock RCMP cells more than a decade ago has made eight recommendations — with several focusing on reviewing current practices and training — for the RCMP, city of White Rock, and BC Emergency Health Services.The inquest, which started on Sept. 15, was a non-fault-finding public inquiry that looked into how Patricia Ann Wilson, 58, died while in custody at the White Rock RCMP detachment on March 29, 2016.
  Af
  
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• Mount Jack wildfire near Sooke doubles in size to over 200 hectares

  23-09-2026 18:53 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The “out of control” wildfire burning in the Sooke Hills has doubled in size overnight.
  The Mount Jack wildfire now stands at 210.4 hectares, according to a Wednesday morning (Sept. 23) update from the BC Wildfire Service.
  First discovered Sept. 20, the fire has continued to grow, fuelled by warm, dry and windy conditions.
  “Initial growth was observed towards the northeast, up the rocky slope of Mount Jack,” said an update from BC Wildfire Service Wednesday. “Additi
  
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• ‘Gone far too soon’: Motorcyclist who died in Kelowna crash identified

  23-09-2026 16:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The individual who died in a fiery motorcycle crash in Kelowna has been identified.
  Stefan Vracarevic, a member of the Kelowna Crows rugby team, died after the motorbike he was riding crashed at the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street on Thursday, Sept. 17 around 10 a.m.
  The Crows posted on social media, honouring Vracarevic.“Stefan was more than just a Crows player, he was a son, a brother, a cousin, a family member, a best friend, and a warm presence within every community he
  
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• Nanaimo area electorate encouraged to attend forums ahead of municipal vote

  23-09-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Residents in the Nanaimo area will have opportunities to become better informed in the lead-up to the 2026 B.C. municipal election.
  A number of organizations are holding all-candidates forums prior to general voting day on Oct. 17, with the Fair Care Alliance inviting elected officials, candidates, as well as community leaders to a forum on health-care funding on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Vancouver Island Conference Centre (101 Gordon St.) from 5-7 p.m.
  The current health-care model and a proposal t
  
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• Chilliwack housing roundtable discusses Indigenous development hurdles

  23-09-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A recent housing roundtable in Chilliwack addressed developments on First Nations land, how housing units are counted, and misconceptions about how some farm land is released to First Nations communities.
  The event was hosted by Á’a:líya Warbus, incumbent MLA for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake at The Grand Hall on Friday, Sept. 11.
  “In order to push forward on the things that are needed for both Chilliwack and the region, I think we can be leaders in having the conversations, o
  
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• VIJHL Week 3: Kraken blows past Storm in Lake Cowichan

  23-09-2026 14:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League Week 3 roundup:
  Campbell River 1 Lake Cowichan 5
  Lake Cowichan Kraken never trailed while earning a 5-1 win over the Campbell River Storm at the Cowichan Lake Sports Arena in Friday night (September 18) VIJHL action.
  Thomas Harrow, Colby Jefferies, Matvei Lutoshkin, Blaine Wilson and first star Nikita Melnichenok, who also added two assists, dented the twine for the Kraken, which after a 1-1 first period tie, led 3-2 heading into the final stanza. Second sta
  
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• B.C.’s fire season moderated by recent weeks of cool weather

  23-09-2026 03:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  After an intense summer wildfire season, rain and cooler weather in late August and early September moderated fire behaviour across British Columbia, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
  Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of predictive services with BCWS, said fire activity in the B.C. Interior peaked in July and August.
  However, while precipitation has helped, fire activity continues and underlying drought concerns remain present.
  Dryer-than-normal conditions are expected during the fall, with th
  
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• Lightfoot’s music returns to Kelowna 12 years after singer’s last visit

  23-09-2026 02:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A local Kelowna band is honouring Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot with a tribute show on Oct. 4.John Paul Byrne, singer for the group, said the moment will be a special one as he saw Lightfoot’s last show in the city 12 years ago, on Oct. 29, 2014.“I was lucky to meet him that night and in the short chat we had, I suggested to him, that his huge 1970 hit, ‘If You Could Read My Mind’, might well be the best song ever written,” said Byrne. “He looked righ
  
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• Kelowna sees heroes fly in the Landmark District for Easter Seals

  23-09-2026 02:08 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  There were 38 brave souls who rappelled down 23 storeys in Kelowna to support people with disabilities.
  On Sept. 22, the Easter Seals Drop Zone was held in the Landmark District. People came out dressed in their superhero best to soar above the clouds, rappell down the tower, and raise funds for the organization.
  Could you rappel down 23 storeys? 38 brave souls in #Kelowna did today in support of @EasterSealsBCY Check it out! @KelownaCapNews pic.twitter.com/F7rEBCZ3rf
  — Brittany Webster (@
  
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• B.C. Conservative Leader Doerkson responds to election call

  23-09-2026 01:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson called the NDP’s decision to go to a snap election “cynical,” slamming NDP Leader David Eby for comparing wildfires to the trade dispute with the United States.
  Eby triggered a snap election earlier Tuesday, saying his party needs to gain a renewed mandate to deal with the economic impact of tariffs.
  Doerkson sought to put to rest any confusion about his “interim” leader tag. The party board appointed him to take over from Ker
  
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