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Welcome-to-Nanaimo sign defaced
The Nanaimo sign in Swy-a-Lana park has a new look, but the change wasn’t sanctioned. A vandal appears to have repainted the multi-color letter O in the sign to plain white. Many critics have likened the colorful section of the sign to the World Economic Forum logo. It was installed in 2021 for more than $50,000. The city says the colours represent the diversity of the 100,000 plus voices who have shaped and continue to shape the city. MORE
Voter turnout shows more interest
Voters took greater interest in the federal election with 71.82 per cent of eligible voters turning out in Nanaimo-Ladysmith – 73,388 out of 102,177 electors cast ballots. It was a similar story in Courtenay-Alberni where 72.98 per cent cast ballots. Both turnouts exceeded the numbers from the last election. MORE
Local massage therapist suspended
A Nanaimo massage therapist has had his licence lifted and he’s been barred from treating female patients while he’s being investigated for a sexual misconduct accusation. The College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC said the ban on Robert Paradis came into effect on April 23 following a complaint by a female patient. The ban will remain in place until a full investigation by the college is complete. MORE
Barron qualifies for severance package
Defeated member of Parliament Lisa Marie Barron will get a severance package and a refund plus interest of her pension contributions. All MPs who lost their jobs or did not run get severance and benefits, and if they have served at least six years, a pension. As of March 31 the salary of MPs was $209,800, meaning severance for defeated MPs would be a minimum of $104,900. MORE
Man with rifle disarmed, taken to hospital
RCMP disarmed a man with a rifle after they barricaded him in a room Monday evening in the 500 block of Haliburton St. He was taken to hospital after the incident. There was concern for the safety and well-being of the 25-year-old man. Front line officers responded and ensured he was confined to his room and that the surrounding area was contained and secured to prevent disruptions from pedestrians and vehicle traffic. The Vancouver Island Emergency Response Team and Crisis Negotiators were called to assist with the situation. MORE
Concerts in the Park are back
Concerts in the Park are back for your summer entertainment, kicking of May 11 at Colliary Dam Park. These free concerts showcase a variety of musical talent against the backdrop of some of Nanaimo's most beautiful parks. There’s a variety of music genres, including jazz, rock, big band, blues, country, Celtic and more. Bring a chair or a blanket and to dress for the weather. All concerts are from 6-7 p.m. MORE
Get set for summer Ukrainian Festival
Food, music, dancing and a whole lot more are on tap for the Nanaimo Ukrainian Festival June 22 at the St. Michael the Archangel parish. The festivities get under way with divine liturgy at 11 a.m. followed by the festival at 1 p.m.
Provincial electric car rebates set to end
The B.C. government is pulling the plug on electric vehicle rebate program by May 15. British Columbians saved thousands of dollars on select new-car purchases, depending on individual income. The province says it will pause the program to consider next steps. But fret not, there’s still a way to get a rebate through he Go Electric program. MORE
QUOTABLE– It may be that your sole purpose in life is to act as a warning to others
Playing in the sandbox means
accepting will of the majority
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There’s an adage about playing in the sandbox, you’ve got to play with the others in your space.
I’ve been monitoring social media prattle about a majority city hall decision on a new boat house at Loudon Park at Long Lake. It’s not about agreeing or disagreeing with the decision, social media can preach all everyone likes about losing 29 trees and parks space.
In this case, that proverbial sandbox is city council which operates by majority rule, and it should apply to everyone. It’s an unwritten rule that once council makes a decision, all councillors should live by it, like it or not. That’s why they vote, to determine what the majority supports, not personal agendas.
Whether I or anyone on social media agree with the tree removal is immaterial, we’re not elected and answerable to the citizens. We can express our views from our own mountaintop all we want.
Coun. Ben Geselbracht helped organize a protest in opposition to council’s decision. He seems to like swimming against stream on other issues as well. Playing in the sandbox means going along with the majority and not throwing dirt from the outside.
It goes beyond this particular issue. Many on social media blame the mayor, as leader of council, and that comes with the territory. If it’s something they disagree with, blame the top guy. Once it is voted on, the leader carries the banner all other council members should follow. That's what teamwork means.
We love to vilify our leaders, be it the prime minister, the premier or the mayor.
It's time to quit dating
and just get married
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Before Monday's election we had a minority Liberal government with the New Democrats holding them to ransom. Now after the election we have a minority Liberal government with the New Democrats holding them to ransom.
A source tells me a confidence agreement is going to happen with the Liberals being just short of a majority and the NDP, with seven seats, can ensure there’s not a quickie defeat of the government. So why don’t they just quit dating and just get married? They've been shacked up long enough.
The world trade war extends farther than U.S. President Donald Trump. China has imposed 100-per-cent tariffs on canola oil, canola meal and peas in retaliation to Canada imposing levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles, steel and aluminum. Canola farmers are getting hit hard by the tariffs while also dealing with uncertainty around U.S. tariffs. Cheapo stuff from China will not be so cheap any more.
At one time the Made-in-Canada label used to stand for quality, an offset to foreign imports. In recent years that standard has been watered down with faux products. Now when you check the labels of products too many say “packaged in Canada”, or “imported for,” leaving us scratching our heads. It’s time to proudly display the Made-in-Canada label again on all the products that are proudly produced in our country.
Here is a sampling of the 2,000 files that the Nanaimo RCMP responded to in two weeks.
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Dog in parked vehicle– Police responded to a dog locked in a vehicle in a north end parking lot on April 15. It appeared to the complainant that the dog may be in destress. When officers arrived, they found a small dog in the vehicle panting. One of the windows of the vehicle was open allowing for air to enter, the air temperature was 14 C and the vehicle was not parked in direct sunlight. The officers concluded the dog was relatively healthy and was not in distress. As the days get hotter, this year why not just leave Fido at home with his favorite bone watching Yellowstone or Miss Rachel?
Theft from spa -At approximately 3 am on April 13, 2025 an alarm was triggered at The Spa Store on Fitzwilliam St. A window along the high side of the store was broken allowing for access. A number of purses and a men’s wallet along with an undisclosed amount of cash was taken. Store surveillance only captured a dark male figure.
Theft from vehicle- Sometime overnight on April 12, a vehicle parked on Pelican Way was broken into. A rear passenger window was smashed out and a wallet was stolen. A debit card that was in the wallet was used at several locations in Nanaimo within hours of the theft, with several thousand dollars being charged to the card before it was reported stolen and cancelled. Criminals are counting on wallets and purses being left in vehicles - don’t be that person.