Nanaimo news

• Wayne Davidson

  07-01-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Wayne Davidson.
  Robert Wayne McCambridge Davidson (Wayne) died peacefully in Nanaimo on December 18th 2025 surrounded by his two daughters.
  Wayne was born on August 13th 1944 in Vancouver. He joined the 15th Field Artillery regiment RCA in 1965 and retired in 1975. He graduated with a BA from UBC in 1969, which led to a successful career as a Fellow Chartered Insurance Professional. In retirement, Wayne moved to Nanaimo and travelled.
  Wayne
  
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• ‘A momentous moment’: South Island school launches new Indigenous course

  15-01-2026 02:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Saanich School District (SD63) officially launched a new locally developed Indigenous-focused course at Stelly’s Secondary School, shaped by the voices of Indigenous students and members of the W̱SÁNEĆ community.
  An event marking the occasion on the afternoon of Jan. 13 brought together students, educators, and community members for what has been described as “a momentous event.”
  The course, titled I TOTEL NEW E TTE A LENENEC LTE – which translates to
  
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• What’s On, Jan 14

  15-01-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  MUSIC
  Eagle Eyes Eagles tribute happening Jan. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Port Theatre. All seats $60 at www.porttheatre.com or by calling the box office at 250-754-8550.
  Busheikin/Villette Presents: Ray Gallon meets Connor Stewart at St. Andews United Church on Jan. 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on eventbrite.ca.
  Vancouver Island Symphony performs Dancing on Strings, Jan. 17 at the Port Theatre. Pre-concert talk begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by the concert at
  
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• National recognition for Vernon training centre

  15-01-2026 01:08 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Troy Hudson calls it “the single most important news in recent history” at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Development Centre in Vernon.
  The centre has been recognized as a national training centre by Biathlon Canada.
  “Having a national training centre in the Okanagan is huge,” said Hudson, general manager at Sovereign Lake, in a social media post making the announcement. “It’s an essential space for athletes to excel and develop into national and international cham
  
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• ‘Unfair and damaging’: Winery industry across Canada pushing Alberta to drop Wine Tax

  15-01-2026 00:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  ‘Unfair and Damaging’: Wineries, businesses from across Canada pushing Alberta to drop Wine Tax
  After being implemented nearly a year ago, a group is now calling on the Government of Alberta to revoke its ad valorem tax that has been hurting businesses and consumers, driving down sales of wine.
  On Wednesday, Jan. 14, a coalition of industry associates representing Canadian wineries, restaurants, import agents and Alberta retail released a statement, saying the tax is increasing price
  
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• B.C. hikers rescued after 3 nights spent stranded by mountain snowstorm

  14-01-2026 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Four hikers stranded in the Golden Ears Mountains during a winter storm were rescued on Tuesday, Jan. 13.
  Rick Laing, spokesperson for Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue, said his team got the call on Saturday, but could only get the group off the mountain after they spent three nights there. Fortunately, they found the emergency shelter at Panorama Ridge.
  The men, all in their 20s, and from Coquitlam, had decent gear and experience in the outdoors, said Laing, but not with the challenges of alpine
  
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• West Kootenay man in middle of Team Canada skeleton controversy

  14-01-2026 22:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The International Bobsled Skeleton Federation (IBSF) is conducting an investigation into Bobsled Canada Skeleton head coach Joe Cecchini’s actions at the North American Cup.
  The former Greater Trail athlete made a decision to pull four of six female skeleton athletes from competing in the final of three races in Lake Placid, NY on Sunday.
  U.S. skeleton competitor Katie Uhlander accused Cecchini of manipulating the system and alleges that he sabotaged her opportunity to qualify for the Olym
  
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• BREAKING: B.C. health minister says decriminalization pilot to end Jan. 31

  14-01-2026 22:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne announced on Wednesday that the province will not be asking the federal government to renew the exemption that allowed the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs.
  This ends the three-year pilot program, effective Jan. 31.
  “The intention was clear: to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to reach out for help without fear of being criminalized,” Osborne said in a news release. “Despite the hard work and good intentions behin
  
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• B.C. health minister says decriminalization pilot to end Jan. 31

  14-01-2026 22:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne announced on Wednesday that the province will not be asking the federal government to renew the exemption that enabled the decriminalization of small amounts of drugs.
  This ends the three-year pilot program, effective Jan. 31.
  “From the beginning, this pilot was designed as a time-limited trial with ongoing monitoring built in, so we could understand what was working, what wasn’t and where changes were needed,” Osborne said Wednesday (Jan. 14)
  
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• Overcrowded Edmonton hospitals refuse patients from Red Deer hospital

  14-01-2026 22:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  About 35 patients were stuck in Red Deer’s emergency department beds waiting to access a hospital ward for surgery or treatment on Tuesday morning.
  Dr. Paul Parks, president-elect of the section of emergency medicine with the Alberta Medical Association (AMA), said Red Deer emergency doctors are routinely squeezed, unable to move patients into higher levels of care either at Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre or another hospital.
  In recent weeks, Edmonton Zone hospitals have been overcrowde
  
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• Larry Bruce Walter Greenwood

  14-01-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  In Loving Memory ~
  February 13,1 942- December 16, 2025
  It is with Deep Sadness that I tell you of the passing of Larry Bruce Walter Greenwood. Born on February 13, 1942, Larry passed on December 16, 2025 at the age of 83 in Nanaimo, BC with his loving wife by his side. We remember Larry’s incredible talent on the drums, and, later in life, as a singer/songwriter/ performer, Larry’s stage presence was electrifying. There will be no memorial in accordance with his wishes.
  
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• Beefs & Bouquets, Jan. 14

  14-01-2026 21:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  BEEF to the runner on the trail at Westwood Lake who ran through a group of hikers, striking one hard enough on the arm to leave a significant bruise. No apology – just kept on running.
  BOUQUET Thank you to the gentleman who decorates his garden for all occasions. I live on Salmon Road and get to enjoy every day in passing.
  BEEF To the wannabe skater who aggressively yelled at me to watch where I was going as I was walking towards the store because he didn’t move out of the way.
  BOUQ
  
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• Train derailment leads to road blockage near Elkford

  14-01-2026 20:02 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Updated on Jan. 14 at 12:02 p.m.
  A train carrying coal derailed near Elkford on Tuesday, Jan. 13, and blocked Fording River Rd.
  CPKC spokesman Terry Cunha said there were 22 cars carrying coal that went off the rails around 7:30 a.m., approximately 25 kilometres north of Elkford.
  Elk Valley RCMP Sgt. Svend Nielsen said cars piled up in the 1500 block of Fording River Rd. Two to three feet of coal spilled on to the road and fully blocked passage.
  There were no injuries or fatalities reported.
  Cre
  
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• Nanaimo RCMP Serious Crimes Unit probing death of Nanaimo man

  14-01-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Police are investigating the death of a 62-year-old Nanaimo man who sustained life threatening injuries during an assault in south Nanaimo.
  Allan Dudeck, whose identity was confirmed by his family, was found unconscious south of Fifth Street in an alley between Shepherd and Georgia avenues with life-threatening injuries Dec. 1.
  According to an Nanaimo RCMP press release at the time, Dudeck was found unresponsive by first responders and was airlifted to hospital, but died of his injuries several
  
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• Anti-hate, or anti-free speech? B.C., Ontario MPs push back against Bill C-9

  14-01-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Freedom of speech and religious freedom are in jeopardy, according to some Conservatives.
  Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP Scott Anderson says the looming Bill C-9 is cause for concern and he will be discussing it at an Emergency Town Hall.
  The event at the Schubert Centre Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 6:30 p.m., is with Ontario MP Andrew Lawton, who has been actively working on Bill C-9 and proposed amendments.
  The Department of Justice states Bill C-9 is an act to amend the Criminal Code (hate propaga
  
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• THE MOJ: Vancouver Canuck fans brace yourself, the tank has arrived

  14-01-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Another night and another loss for your Vancouver Canucks as this time the Ottawa Senators came away with a 2-1 win at the Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday night.
  Newsflash: get used to it.
  It was the eighth consecutive loss for Vancouver and the fifth straight on this Eastern road trip, with a stop in Columbus yet to come before the Canucks return to Rogers Arena to begin an eight-game homestand.
  That won’t be an elixir for Vancouver either as the team sports an NHL-worst 4-12-3 mark on ho
  
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• B.C. staying the course as rents fall, vacancies rise and warning signs surface

  14-01-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Housing Minister Christine Boyle says the province plans to stay on course with its housing strategy amid a softening rental market.
  “We know the rents are still too high in so many places and we know there’s more work to do,” Boyle said in an interview with Black Press Media.
  Others say it is becoming difficult for landlords to make ends meet. And purpose-built rental construction is beginning to slow, a warning sign about market profitability.
  “The challenging part for
  
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• Vancouver Island murder victim remembered as devoted mom, passionate instructor

  14-01-2026 18:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Greater Victoria organizations are sharing their grief after a local woman was killed in an alleged intimate partner violence incident in Saanich.
  “This tragedy represents far more than a single loss – it is a stark reminder that gender-based violence continues to claim lives in our community,” noted a Facebook post from the Victoria Women’s Transition House.
  On Jan. 5, Saanich police and the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit started investigating the homicide
  
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• 911 operator hang-up on Victoria dry cleaner mishandled, officials acknowledge

  14-01-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A Victoria business owner says a 911 operator hung up on him after reporting a person he felt was putting him and his staff at risk.
  Peter Quackenbush, owner of One Hour Cleaners, said the incident occurred on Dec. 27, when a man climbed onto the exterior of his building and became aggressive after being asked to leave.
  “He was yelling, screaming and advancing toward me while waving a stick,” Quackenbush said.
  Quackenbush said he called 911 but was told the situation wasn’t an
  
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• Legislation could restore ‘missing middle’, revolutionize B.C. housing: developer

  14-01-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Controversial legislation allowing for more multi-unit housing is being primarily seen as welcome news by developers, as the province attempts to remove red tape and build more “missing middle” housing.
  Following the passing of Bill 44 in 2023, Greater Victoria residents witnessed a plethora of new housing projects throughout the region after municipalities were required to allow more small-scale multi-unit housing on lots that were once zoned to only allow for single-family homes.
  A
  
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• Notice of Disposition: February 7, 2026

  14-01-2026 16:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  I am disposing of Michael Morrisette’s belongings February 7, 2026.
  If you have a legal claim to his belongings please call kerry at 250-885-8829
  
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• ‘Near zero’ visibilty possible as eastern Vancouver Island wakes to heavy fog

  14-01-2026 15:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Vancouver Island drivers from Victoria to Sayward face heavy fog, reducing visibility to near zero early Wednesday (Jan. 14).Visibility could be near zero at times, Environment Canada warns, as a ridge of high pressure over the south coast traps cool and humid marine air creating the widespread fog.
  Conditions are expected to improve later in the morning as a weak front mixes some of the moisture out.
  The warning specifically includes the eastern half of Vancouver Island from Victoria as far nor
  
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• ‘Near zero’ visibility possible as eastern Vancouver Island wakes to heavy fog

  14-01-2026 15:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Vancouver Island drivers from Victoria to Sayward face heavy fog, reducing visibility to near zero early Wednesday (Jan. 14).Visibility could be near zero at times, Environment Canada warns, as a ridge of high pressure over the south coast traps cool and humid marine air creating the widespread fog.
  Conditions are expected to improve later in the morning as a weak front mixes some of the moisture out.
  The warning specifically includes the eastern half of Vancouver Island from Victoria as far nor
  
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• Vancouver Island photographer captures global recognition for Sooke Potholes shot

  14-01-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A local photographer was awarded bronze in an international competition for a photo taken at Sooke Potholes.
  The Exposure One Awards celebrate the art of black-and-white photography. They recently announced the winners of their Nature Photography Contest for 2025, and among the talent was Sooke’s Pascale Navarro in the Earth’s Textures category for an image taken at Sooke Potholes.
  Captured on Christmas Eve in 2024, the long exposure shot was taken in monochrome mode, featuring the r
  
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• Janice Perrino re-appointed as Nanaimo Regional Hospital District chairperson

  14-01-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Janice Perrino will serve a second term as chairperson for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District.
  Perrino, a City of Nanaimo councillor and Regional District of Nanaimo director, was acclaimed at a hospital district board meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 13, where Ian Thorpe was acclaimed as vice-chairperson, also for a second term.
  She previously served as Nanaimo and District Hospital foundation CEO for six years before retiring in 2022.
  In a press release, Perrino said she looks forward to continuin
  
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• With ongoing agreement talks, Nanaimo-Ladysmith teachers reiterate importance of class size

  14-01-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Operating under a collective bargaining agreement that expired last June, the Nanaimo and Ladysmith teachers’ union wants to raise awareness about class size and composition.
  Negotiations with the B.C. government are ongoing, said Megan Simmer, acting Nanaimo and District Teachers Association president, and the union will be staging campaign rallies, including a “mark-in” event Friday, Jan. 9 at Woodgrove Centre, with teachers wearing red for B.C. education.
  Better class size w
  
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• Petitioners call for new B.C. road link link between Penticton and Kelowna

  14-01-2026 14:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A parliamentary petition proposing a federally funded second route from Penticton to Kelowna has the backing of the local Member of Parliament.
  Helena Konanz, who represents the Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay riding, shared the petition on her social media.
  In August, Konanz had also joined Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna MP Dan Albas and regional MLAs in August for a press conference pushing for an alternative to Highway 97 in the case it has to close again due to an emer
  
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• Petitioners call for new B.C. road link between Penticton and Kelowna

  14-01-2026 14:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A parliamentary petition proposing a federally funded second route from Penticton to Kelowna has the backing of the local Member of Parliament.
  Helena Konanz, who represents the Similkameen—South Okanagan—West Kootenay riding, shared the petition on her social media.
  In August, Konanz had also joined Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna MP Dan Albas and regional MLAs in August for a press conference pushing for an alternative to Highway 97 in the case it has to close again due to an emer
  
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• January good time to check forgotten fees taking a bite out of your bank balance

  14-01-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  January is a month when many people would prefer not to look at their credit card or bank statements, but the Better Business Bureau serving Mainland BC (BBB) is cautioning people to check for unexpected subscription renewals and hidden fees, which often pop up at the start of the new year.
  The start of the new year is a common time for people to notice these recurring charges, many of which were forgotten about, never cancelled, or quietly converted from so-called “free trials” afte
  
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• Canucks see winless skid reach 8 games, fall 2-1 to Ottawa Senators

  14-01-2026 03:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The struggles continue for the Vancouver Canucks.
  Vancouver’s winless skid reached eight games on Tuesday night, as they fell 2-1 to the host Ottawa Senators in NHL action at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata, Ont.
  Artem Zub and Jordan Spence scored for the Senators (21-19-5), with Leevi Merilainen earning the win in goal, making 18 saves.
  Centre Elias Pettersson replied for the Canucks (16-25-5), with Kevin Lankinen sharp in goal, stopping 37 of 39 shots.
  The Sens dominated the first per
  
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