Final count gives NDP majority government

24-10-29 – It’s almost official now, the NDP ended up with 47 seats to form a bare-majority government in the 93-seat legislature. Two seats are subject to judicial recounts because the results in Kelowna Centre and Surrey-Guildford are too close. The Conservatives who won 44 seats, and are ahead in Kelowna Centre and the NDP are leading in Surrey-Guildford. NDP leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad have scheduled news conferences today in Victoria. MORE

How the judicial recount process works

24-10-29 – Mandatory judicial recounts could still impact the outcome. “A judicial recount is conducted by the Supreme Court of British Columbia and may include some or all of the ballots and certification envelopes for an election,” says an Elections BC news release. The earliest a judicial recount can start is seven days after the final count which is Nov. 4. That means the soonest a recount will get under way is Tuesday, Nov. 5. The date for the recount must be within 15 days of the final count. MORE

Killer will spend two years in federal prison

24-10-29 – Kyle Gordon Ordway who admitted killing his former girlfriend by pushing her off a cliff will spend two years in a federal prison. The 40-year-old Ordway had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Amy Watts, 27. Justice Jennifer Power sentenced him to four years in jail, less time served. The sentencing had been delayed to give the judge time to review Ordway's early life which might have impacted his behavior as an adult. He will serve another two years and one day. MORE

Vancouver Island Economic Summit coverage

24-10-29 – The Vancouver Island Economic Summit wrapped up last week after top panels dissected our Island’s opportunity and future. One of the top issues for delegates was our growing demand for electricity. Power consumption is increasing rapidly as communities grow and new technology comes on line, such as electric vehicle chargers and heat pump HVAC systems, as government legislation demands homes, commercial buildings and vehicles meet low-carbon, zero-emission standards by 2030. The News Bulletin has excellent coverage of all the panels of experts. Take a look HERE. 

Site C generator producing first electricity

24-10-29 – Directly related, the Site C dam is now pushing out electricity. BC Hydro says the first of six generators has begun operations after completing testing and commissioning procedures. The full project is expected to be in service by next fall. The reservoir is more than 90 per cent full, with the water level rising about 40 metres since late August when the filling process began. Hydro warns people to stay away from the reservoir for at least a year due to possible unstable terrain and floating vegetation debris. MORE

Google pays $100 million for Canadian news

24-10-29 – You get your news on The Daily Buzz and you will still be able to look for it on Google. The search engine will pay $100 million to Canadian news outlets to remain exempt from the Online News Act. The Canadian Journalism Collective will be responsible for distributing the money to news outlets. News Media Canada, which represents hundreds of publishers, has raised concerns about a lack of critical information about the collective, including its governance and how it will calculate payments and distribute funds. MORE

More than ever lining up at food banks

24-10-29 – Food bank use in Canada has doubled over the past five years, says Food Banks Canada. It recorded more than two million visits in March 2024 – nearly double the monthly visits five years ago, and six per cent above last year’s record-breaking figure. Rapid inflation, housing costs and insufficient social supports are driving poverty and food insecurity. That includes a need among seniors and families with children. MORE

WEB QUOTE – When I was really young my parents used to say“excuse my French.” I’ll never forget my first day of school when the teacherasked me if I knew any French.

Final election decision expected today

24-10-28 – The provincial election could be decided today after absentee ballots are counted. Recounts and mail-in vote counts failed to deliver the final decision on the weekend. The counting increased the prospects for an NDP government, when the Conservative lead in Surrey-Guildford was cut to just 12. The recount in Juan de Fuca-Malahat is  to be completed today. Counting was set to resumes at 9 a.m., with 226 absentee votes to count. The preliminary count has the NDP leading or elected in 46 ridings, the B.C. Conservatives at 45 and the Greens with two. Elections BC will provide hourly updates on its website. MORE

Previous AAP signatures are not valid

Signing the first two AAPs against borrowing $90 million for the public works facility, does not qualify in this third go-around. If you want to vote against the measure you must sign a new form for this AAP. The deadline is Thursday.

Public disruptors won't get prison time.

24-10-28 – Two people guilty of multiple public disruptions in Nanaimo will serve their sentences in the community. Howard Gerald Breen, 70, and Melanie Joy Murray, 48, were sentenced on multiple charges connected to road blockades and other protests in Nanaimo from late 2021 to early 2022. Murray was handed 12 months probation and 50 hours of community service. Breen will serve a nine-month conditional sentence followed by 18 months of probation for six mischief and a pair of breach of undertaking charges. He will be under house arrest for first six months, only permitted to leave his home for groceries, medical appointments, and other approved outings. MORE

WEB QUOTE – How can you be sure who is telling the truth? The ones trying to silence other people are the ones lying.

Public Works Yard AAP deadline on Thursday

24-10-27 –The deadline for the alternative approval to borrow $90 million for public works facilities is nearing and the opponents appear to still have a way to go to reach their goal of 10 per cent of eligible voters. There have been numerous events and collection stations involved and to date there is no tally of how far they have come. I'm hearing various numbers and they show they have a way to go and they are not letting any grass grow under their feet. The deadline for submission to city hall is 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

RDN salutes former chairman, director George Holme

24-10-27 - It was great to see the Regional District pay tribute to former chairman George Holme, who died last month at 83. He had served as director for Nanoose Bay for nearly three decades. Current director Bob Rogers, Nanaimo director Leonard Krog and Qualicum Beach director Teunis Westbroek all spoke about Holmes' long list of initiatives and achievements. George was the Nanoose Bay director for 29 years until he retired in 2014. He also served as chairmn for 10 years from 1992 to 2002. It was a genuine pleasure to work with George during my time on the board. MORE

Mail-in ballots shuffle gap between candidates

24-10-27 – The first day of counting mail-in ballots closed, resulting in some change to the spread between candidates. In Courtenay-Comox the count narrowed the gap between Conservatives and BC NDP candidates from an initial 234 vote lead for Conservatives to a 116-vote lead for Conservatives. In Juan de Fuca-Malahat the NDP lead expanded to 106. MORE

Pedestrian killed in hit and run in Cedar

24-10-26 – A man is dead after a hit-and-run on Harmac Road on Thursday evening. The victim died at the scene despite efforts of bystanders and first  responders. The victim was walking along the side of the road when he was struck by a vehicle that fled the scene. Police seek help to identify the driver and vehicle and are seeking witnesses and dash cam footage from anyone in the area between 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345 and quote file No. 2024-34953. Full details in R/Cst. Gary O'Brien's Police Beat section.

New pickleball courts set to reopen Oct. 31

24-10-26 – The City’s new pickleball courts area bout to open, and you’re invited Oct. 31 at Beban Park near the Beban Park Golf Course and Driving Range. The new facility features eight courts and adds to the many recreational opportunities at Beban Park – swimming, skating, tennis, golf, mountain bike riding and BMX riding (under construction). The former Beaufort pickleball courts will be converted into youth courts including basketball and hockey.

MORE

Port labour dispute heading back to the table

24-10-26 – The labour dispute at British Columbia ports is heading back to the bargaining table next week. Employers and the union representing foremen will bargain with a mediator in the latest push fora resolution. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union represents about 700 port foremen. The last agreement expired in March 2023, and the union said in September that members had voted 96 per cent in favour of authorizing strike action. MORE

WEB QUOTE – Justin Kirkland plays for the Calgary Flames in the NHL. Not too hard to find a nickname. They call him “Costco”.

Wheeling 'n dealing

on who will govern

24-10-25 – Wheeling and dealing is hot and heavy before the final verdict from voters. David Eby is in a tough spot because he may not sit in the premier’s chair without backroom dealing with the B.C. Green Party. The biggest question is, will he sell his soul to make a deal?

What’s on the table is the very essence of the election campaign with Eby promising tougher action like institutional drug treatment, backing off on the safer drug program, revising the carbon dioxide tax and fossil fuels and a tonne of climate obsessions.

Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau emphasized that the cost would include continued support for the carbon tax, only voluntary care of people with mental health and addiction issues and no future liquefied natural gas project approvals.

She appears tone deaf to the message from the electorate. A massive majority of voters did not buy into what she’s peddling, with close to 90 per cent of voters siding with the NDP and Conservatives, not buying into those platform planks.

Furstenau holds the hammer and she’s going to use it. Eby is the only one she can bargain with. She refused to answer the phone when Conservative leader John Rustad called numerous times, knowing there’s no deal to be made.

Fellow political observer Brian Peckford sees the irony in that last year British Columbia's top export was a fossil fuel, coal, and the second was another fossil fuel, natural gas. And the largest single private-sector development in Canada’s history is the LNG fossil fuel plant in Kitimat at $40 billion. That's the backbone of our economy. We cannot afford to kill the goose that lays the golden egg.

Rustad knows there’s no way his party members would stand for those Green demands. There’s likely to be another election in the not-too-distant future and he needs to keep all the sheep in the fold. Eby also needs to tread carefully because his supporters liked the change he offered in the campaign.

Here's the rub. If the election outcome remains unchanged Eby cannot form a majority government without the two Green members who will hold the balance of power. With 65,000 additional ballots to be counted, it's anyone's guess what will result.

Hang onto your hat, another storm brewing

24-10-25 – Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for most of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland as a storm system is expected to hit the south coast tonight. Winds are forecast to gust up to 90 km/h around midnight and end early Saturday morning. Power outages and downed trees are possible. MORE

Duke Point Ferry run cancelled for tonight

24-10-25 – The incoming severe wind storm has led BC Ferries to cancel two evening sailings between Duke Point and Vancouver on today. The 8:15 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen and 10:45 p.m. from Duke Point were cancelled to ensure the safety of  customers and crew. All remaining sailings today on that route are expected to proceed as usual.

Deliberately-set fire under investigation

24-10-25 – RCMP are investigating after a human-caused fire on Thursday in a public washroom at Harewood Centennial Park adjacent to John Barsby Secondary School and the park’s sports courts on Thursday, Oct. 24 at about 4 p.m. Fire Rescue Capt. Jody Lucas said crews arrived to smoke coming from the building. One bathroom suffered smoke damage but no fire.” MORE

Construction waste can be recycled

24-10-25 – There’s nothing like leftovers, especially construction materials. Construction companies can make sure building materials aren't going to waste on Vancouver Island. Light House, a Vancouver-based organization, has a new building material exchange program on the Island. The new service was one of the topics at the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance Summit on Wednesday in Nanaimo. MORE

Final election result expected on Monday

24-10-25 – British Columbians wait with baited breath for recounts in two ridings that could determine the outcome of the election, starting Sunday afternoon. Elections BC says results of the Surrey City Centre will be posted on Sunday, while Juan De Fuca—Malahat totals will be posted on Monday. Counting of 65,000 absentee and mail-in ballots province-wide will also be carried out from Saturday until Monday. The NDP was elected or leading in 46 ridings after the initial count, the Conservatives had 45, while the Greens won two. MORE

Motorcycle crash victim airlifted to Vancouver

24-10-25 – A motorcycle rider was airlifted to hospital in Vancouver after A crash between a motorcycle and two vehicles on the old Island Highway resulted in one man being airlifted to Vancouver hospital. Emergency crews were called Thursday afternoon. One vehicle apparently turned left in front of the motorcycle travelling north. The motorcycle struck one car and then a second car. The bike then hit the centre median and wound up in the southbound lanes. The occupants of the two other vehicles  weren't injured. MORE

Man dies in supportive housing apartment fire

24-10-25 – The Coroners Service is investigating the death of a man in a fire at a supportive housing building on Prideaux Street early Wednesday. The fire was contained to one unit after the sprinkler system doused the flames. RCMP R/Const Gary O'Brien said there was no criminality. The 51-unit building was opening this spring. MORE

Online extortionists get up close and personal

24-10-25 – Online scammers are using Google street view photos of Nanaimo homes to extort money from local residents. In a recent case, RCMP said ascammer sent an email claiming to have compromising videos and photos of the complainant and he had to send $2,000 in bitcoin or the videos and pictures would be sent to his contact list. The suspect knew the victim’s name and phone number and had attached instructions on where to send the ransom. Other local cases have been reported as well. Scammers often collect personal information by sending cute “like” messages and pet photos on social media. MORE

Gabriola adding forest area to local park

24-10-25 – Gabriola Island’s second largest park just got bigger. The Regional District has bought more than 30 hectares of land to add it to 707 Community Park. The forested lot, known as Wilkinson Woods, was bought for $850,000 with short-term borrowing of $750,000 by the Electoral Area B Community Parks and Halls Service, and $100,000 from the Gabriola Lands & Trails Trust. MORE 

1,749 drug deaths in first nine months of 2024

24-10-25 –British Columbia had an average of six deaths per day from toxic drugs in the first month of this year. The total was 1,749, a reduction of eight per cent compared to 2023, when 1,896 fatalities were recorded. The Coroners Service says 187 died from unregulated drugs in August and 183 more died in September. Nearly half of the deaths in September were people between 30 and 49 years old, while only 1.1 per cent were under 18. Vancouver, Surrey and Greater Victoria saw the highest numbers of drug deaths in September. The Interior and northern regions recorded the highest fatalities with per capita with 5.6 deaths per 100,000 people in the Interior Health region and 4.3 per 100,000 in Northern Health. Fentanyl was detected in 85 per cent of unregulated drug fatalities. MORE

Canada cuts back immigration targets

24-10-25 – Canada will allow fewer immigrants as the federal government tries to flatten population growth. The government slashed its immigration targets to 395,000 new permanent residents next year, 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. Previous targets were for 500,000 new permanent residents in both 2025 and 2026. The change comes after significant criticism of the increases to immigration and the impact of strong population growth on housing availability and affordability. MORE

Web Quote: There is no climate change denial, but there is rejection of the climate change religion.

Campbell River chasing out the invaders

24-10-24 – The city that prides itself as the self-ordained Salmon Capital is getting rid of the competition. Campbell River recently drained 39 million litres of water from a pond in a local park to remove 1,700 goldfish. Releasing unwanted pet goldfish into the wild isn’t just illegal, it can be damaging too. The city says the fish are an invasive species that can displace and sometimes eat native species, while also causing problems with the water and affecting the ecosystem. MORE

Honda recalling 700,000 vehicles over fuel pumps

24-10-24 – If you drive a recent model Honda you might want to drive right on down to your Honda dealer. The automaker is recalling more than 700,000 vehicles because the high-pressure fuel pump may crack and leak fuel. The recall includes the Accord and Accord Hybrid 2023-2024; the Civic and Civic Hybrid 2025 and the CR-V Hybrid 2023-2025. MORE

City looking at expanding free downtown parking

24-10-23 – Parking has been the bane of downtown business for ages, and construction work has acerbated the problem and city council is looking for interim solutions. Two-hour free parking in city parkades is seen as one solution, with Coun. Hilary Eastmure asking for a staff report on the idea. She said previously-approved free parking downtown freed up only 23 parking spots on Commercial Street and a couple on Skinner Street. She stressed the urgency of getting it in place before the Christmas shopping season. MORE

Police investigating fatal crash near airport

24-10-23 – The 19-year-old driver and sole occupant was killed in a single-vehicle crash along the Trans-Canada Hwy. Monday night near the airport. First responders tried to revive the driver, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The highway was closed for several hours and drivers were detoured through Cassidy. Police ask that anyone with further information contact Ladysmith RCMP at 250-245-2215, quoting file number 2024-3401. MORE

Thief gets live-in treatment instead of jail sentence

24-10-23 – A prolific thief will spend time in a live-in treatment centre instead of more jail time. Peter Jonathan Cameron Ludvigson, 49, has a record as long as his arm with thefts from local businesses in order to feed his drug addiction. Many of the drug-fueled thefts were quite brazen, resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in losses. He has about 50 convictions, mostly from Nanaimo and surrounding communities, as well as similar crimes in Alberta. MORE

Ruttan to get Freedom of The City honour

24-10-23 – Former mayor John Ruttan will be conferred the Freedom of The City honour this fall in recognition of his service to the community. John was mayor of the city 2008-14. In addition to his two terms as mayor, he served as Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore, chairman of the Nanaimo Port Authority andpresident of Tourism Nanaimo. He was named as the Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce citizen of the year in 2008. MORE

Central bank lowers prime rate to 3.75 per cent

The Bank of Canada cut its interest rate by half a point Wednesday in response to the recent decline in inflation. The central bank says its job has shifted from lowering inflation to maintaining it around the inflation target. The inflation rate fell to 1.6 per cent in September. Its rate now stands at 3.75 per cent. The cut in rate is expected to have an impact on real estate with possible lower mortgage rates. MORE

Vaccination campaign under way in B.C.

24-10-23 – British Columbia has ramped up its immunization campaign for COVID-19 and flu. Notices for priority populations started going out on Oct. 8, and on the first day, pharmacies administered almost 82,000 vaccinations with about 50,000 shots for the flu, and about 32,000 for COVID-19. These are updated vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19. The first week also set a record, with almost 370,000 shots administered. MORE

Murder charges laid in Nanaimo woman's death

24-10-22 – Three people have been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March, 2023 death of Wendy Head, 52, of Nanaimo. She was originally thought to be a victim of the province’s ongoing toxic drug crisis. The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says its team began investigating in August, 2023 after obtaining information that led them to believe the death was suspicious. That led to three suspects, two men and one woman, from Duncan, aged 41 to 59. The B.C. Prosecution Service approved first-degree murder charges against all three last week. Two have been arrested and remain in custody while police are looking for the other man. MORE

One dead in submerged vehicle, another missing

24-10-22 – One person is dead and another is presumed to have drowned after two vehicles were found submerged in the Sarita River following heavy rains that washed out roads. The deaths are the second and third confirmed fatalities from the heavy rain that drenched the province and caused localized flooding over the weekend. A 57-year-old woman from Coquitlam was killed when her house was swept away by a mudslide. Lower Mainland Police are investigating another missing person case related to the flooding. MORE

Trudeau replacement lineup starts, Christy wants it

24-10-22 – The body isn’t cold yet but the buzzards are circling, dropping hints they want the leadership if Justin Trudeau quits. That includes our former premier Christy Clark who says if the leadership becomes available she wants to be part of the conversation. Lately she has been taking French lessons and was a speaker at the Ontario Liberals’ annual general meeting last month. MORE

WEB QUOTE – Don’t accuse liberals of having no standards. They have more than anyone else. In fact, some even have double standards.

Krog reminds new MLAs

of city's top priorities

24-10-22 – The final outcome of the provincial election remains up in the air but that isn’t stopping shoppers looking for results from the province. With the mid-Island electing three NDP MLAs, Mayor Leonard Krog is quick to remind of the city’s priorities. He believes the city will be well served by veteran Sheila Malcolmson, George Anderson and Stephanie Higginson and says he will hold them to account on a new hospital tower and a cath lab. The city's wants are double covered with both NDP Leader David Eby and the BC Conservatives’ John Rustad promising a new patient tower and cardiac catherization services at NRGH. MORE

Mid-Island ridings had great voter turnout

24-10-22 – One of the more positive results from the nail-biter provincial election is the voter turnout. Preliminary results show two thirds of eligible voters in Ladysmith Oceanside cast ballots, the third highest in the province. Nanaimo-Lantzville had 64.31 per cent and Nanaimo-Gabriola Island had a 58.8 per cent turnout in re-electing incumbent Sheila Malcolmson. MORE

Recounts set in two NDP-leading races

24-10-21 – Recounts will take place in two ridings where the NDP and Conservative candidates are separated by fewer than 100 votes. New Democrat candidates are leading by thin margins in Juan de Fuca-Malahat (20 votes) and Surrey City Centre (95 votes). The Conservatives could win a majority by taking both of those seats. If the NDP holds on to one or both, the Green party’s two victories put them in the driver’s seat. By winning just one of them, the Conservatives would have 46 and the NDP 45. There are about 49,000 absentee and mail-in ballots that will be included in the final count starting Saturday and through the weekend. All five independents, former B.C. United/Liberals, lost in their ridings. Voter turnout was just over 57 per cent.

Woman killed in rainfall mudslide

24-10-21 – All rainfall warnings have been lifted and flood warnings have been downgraded to flood watches by Environment Canada. If you think it was bad here, cleanup efforts continue in neighbourhoods like Deep Cove in North Vancouver, where six properties were ordered to evacuate Sunday night. A 57-year-old woman from Coquitlam was killed when she was swept away by a mudslide. Rainfall totals over the weekend in Metro Vancouver reached as high as 256 millimetres in Coquitlam. On Vancouver Island, Kennedy Lake GOT the most rain – 318 millimetres ­ while Tofino was drenched with 218 millimetres. MORE

Local brewery wins major award for its stout

24-10-21 – Cheers to Nanaimo’s Longwood Brewery for winning a bronze medal for its imperial stout at this year’s Canada Beer Cup. Island brewers won 17 medals at this year’s event on Friday,  in New Westminster. The Canada Beer Cup is a national competition celebrating independently owned and operated breweries across Canada, with judges from Europe, the U.K., the United States and Canada. MORE

Sextortion scams growing on Vancouver Island

24-10-21 – Social media posters claiming to be attractive women are increasing sextortion scams. Comox Valley RCMP warns that these extortion scams are targeting men and young boys. The scammers get the victims to send nude photos or perform sexual acts on camera. Then they threaten to release the footage to extort money. They will often include screenshots of the victim’s contacts or personal details – school or home addresses – making it clear they mean business,” said the RCMP. They have tips on how to respond. MORE

Frozen waffles in major listeria bacteria recall

24-10-21 – Frozen waffle products have been recalled after testing for possible listeria bacteria contamination at a manufacturing facility in Brantford, Ont. TreeHouse Foods did not say what stores in Canada were affected, however, the waffles listed on the recall website include Walmart’s Great Value brand; Sobeys’ Compliments brand, sold at Foodland, Sobeys, and Fresh Co stores; and Loblaws’ No Name brand, sold at No Frills stores. MORE

Interest rate could fall by half a point

24-10-21 – The Bank of Canada could cut it interest rate by as much as half a basis point on Wednesday. The rate stands at 4.25 per cent following the most recent quarter-point cut in early September. But Canada’s economy has changed a lot since that time. The inflation rate has slowed and dropped to 1.6 per cent in the latest reading.

It's never over until the lady sings

11 p.m. 24-10-19 – One of the pitfalls of satire is that sometimes it can turn into reality. Take a look at my column below where I fantasized about the scenario of a tie in the election at 46 seats each for the NDP and the Conservatives, with a lone win for the B.C. Greens.

As we shut down for tonight as the count continues, with numerous very close ridings and some automatic recounts still to come, the Greens got an extra seat at the expense of the Conservatives.

That’s how it sits on election night, but everything is still up in the air. With three or four seats too close to call, they could provide a major shift in who forms the government. Even if two of the seats where the NDP were leading by mere dozens of votes were to flip, all of a sudden you have a majority government the other way.

For now I’ll rest on my laurels, claiming my fantasy was really a prediction. Fasten your seat belts, it’s going to be an interesting roller coaster ride..

NDP campaign actually helped Conservatives

24-10-20 – Regardless of the final outcome, John Rustad and the Conservatives scored an astounding victory Saturday, and it came largely thanks to the way the NDP conducted their campaign. There’s an old saying that “Say what you want about me, just spell my name right.”

Throughout the campaign David Eby and the NDP targeted Rustad with a vicious assault on the Conservative platform. Their campaign was outright nasty.

Unwittingly, they put the Conservative issues in the public eye. Obviously many British Columbians were open to those ideas and cast their ballots accordingly.

By one count, Rustad’s name was mentioned at least 50 time in the formal NDP platform and hundreds of times in TV and radio commercials, newspapers and other printed material. And they did spell his name right.

Rustad overcame bumps in the road

There will be countless diagnoses about the Conservative rebirth, some already begun on election night focusing on the party’s candidate selection process. Some replaced candidates and some poor choices were obvious.

I’ve been through this process when I ran on behalf of a new party in Manitoba in the early 1980s. Building a new party from the ground up means establishing credibility by fielding as many candidates as possible. Sometimes you don’t get the best. When you can’t do proper vetting, you just put names on the ballots and leave it up to the voters.

That was a learning experience for Rustad’s group and the final result speaks for itself, including the successful campaign of Brent Chapman in Surrey South who put his mouth in motion before putting his brain in gear. David Eby went ballistic damning Chapman’s candidacy, virtually demanding that he be removed by the Conservatives. Shutting down offensive comments is not the way democracy works.

Freedom of speech includes speech we may not approve of. Eby obviously could not accept Chapman’s election when he thanked all candidates for participating, “except one,” an obvious reference to Chapman.

Creating villains does not result in solutions. It’s irrelevant how offensive his comments were, despite his apologies. The voters of Surrey South spoke.

Get ready, we may get to do this again

We may be back at the polls sooner than we might want. The close result does not bode well for a working legislature with around 58 new MLAs in the 93-seat house.

No matter who has 46 or 47 seats, it is unlikely that the legislature will go into session for months, leaving a lot of opportunity for Sunday morning quarterbacks to toss in their two-cents worth. And don’t forget, there’s a federal election coming up within a year.

Those pontificators will give us untold reasons why the Conservatives were so successful and why the NDP stumbled badly. From where I sit it’s not that difficult to analyze. British Columbians were unhappy with a lot of things like the cost of living and poverty, the stumble bum approach to homelessness, the government-supported street drug crisis and crime that goes with it, housing, the health care crisis with staffing shortages, the same in the education system.

The government made a lot of promises to fix what’s wrong but those promises lacked specifics. Here in Nanaimo we’ve been waiting for a cath lab, cancer clinic and new patient tower. They were all promised but there was no bottom line, only the commitment to begin planning. That’s not good enough.

Polls are open until 8 p.m. today

24-10-19 – Your election decision today will impact our lives for the next four years. Which party you support is part of the decision. Not voting is also a decision. The advance polls showed a turnout greater than 30 per cent in all three mid-Island ridings. That’s more than the final turnout we’ve recently seen in civic elections. That’s a good sign.

The latest poll on the eve of today’s election does not provide a clear picture based on a two-point spread between the NDP and the Conservatives. It’s where those votes are located that makes the real decision. Specifically, the NDP has a large lead in greater Vancouver, and the Conservatives are running away with Central and Northern B.C. The percentages need to be dissected. How many seats are there in Vancouver? And how many are there in Central and Northern B.C. The Legislature is distributed based on seats won.

If you haven’t cast your ballot yet, never mind the weather, just go and do it. What you do willset the tone for the next four years.

Here are the polling stations, open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island
Bayview Elementary School; 140 View St.
Beacon House, 208 Colvilleton Trail
Cedar Elementary School, 2215 Gould Rd.
Cranberry Fire Department hall, 1555 Morden Rd.
Fairview Elementary School, 205 Howard Ave.
Gabriola Elementary School, 680 North Rd.
Georgia Avenue Elementary School, 625 Georgia Ave.
Moose Lodge, 1356 Cranberry Ave.
Nanaimo Alliance Church, 1609 Meredith Rd.
Nanaimo Christian School, 198 Holland Rd.
Nanaimo Yacht Club, 400 Newcastle Ave.
Park Avenue Elementary School, 395 Eighth St.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 256, 1630 East Wellington Rd.
St. Paul's Anglican Church, 100 Chapel St.

Nanaimo-Lantzville
Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Rd.
Costin Hall, 7232 Lantzville Rd.
Departure Bay Baptist Church, 3510 Departure Bay Rd.
Destiny Worship Centre, 4900 Hammond Bay Rd.
Dover Bay Secondary School, 6135 McGirr Rd.
Oliver Woods Community Centre, 6000 Oliver Rd.
Pleasant Valley Elementary School, 6201 Dunbar Rd.
Wellington Hall, 3922 Corunna Ave.

Ladysmith-Oceanside
Christian Fellowship Centre, 825 Village Way
Craig Street Commons Gym, 330 Craig St.
Frank Jameson Community Centre, 810 6th Ave.
Jensen Centre, 132 Jensen Ave. E.
Kwalikum Secondary School, 266 Village Way
Lasqueti Community Hall, 206 Main Rd.
Nanoose Place, 2925 Northwest Bay Rd.
North Oyster Community Centre, 13467 Cedar Rd.
Parksville Fellowship Baptist Church, 550 Pym St.
Saltair Community Centre, 3850 South Oyster School Rd.
Stz'uminus Health Centre, 3945 Shell Beach Rd.

Web Quote – I haven’t confirmed it, but there have been suggestions that the drink of choice in the communications offices of the main parties consisted of “Haterade.”

Adverse weather leads to ferry cancellations

24-10-19 - Weather conditions forced the cancellation of late afternoon ferry sailings Friday between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay. If you’re planning to hit the high seas today, check out  the BC Ferries website for current conditions. DriveBC reports Highway 4 at Kennedy Lake was closed in both directions on Friday afternoon after debris fell on the roadway.

Smoking drugs leads to apartment fire

24-10-19 – More than half a dozen residents were forced out of their social housing apartments on Rosehill Street after a fire caused by smoking drugs Wednesday evening. Deputy fire chief Stu Kenning said a mattress fire was the result of drugs in one bedroom. The building's fire suppression system, the sprinklers in the building. He added that 16 units were uninhabitable and seven people had to be accommodated for the night.

One third in Greater Nanaimo have already voted

24-10-18 – The provincial election is tomorrow, but almost one third of eligible voters in Greater Nanaimo have already cast their ballots. In Ladysmith-Oceanside, 15,655 people took advantage of advance voting, sixth highest in B.C. Nanaimo-Lantzville was also in the top 10 with 15,032 advance ballots cast, more than one-third of registered voters. Nanaimo-Gabriola saw 14,141 ballots cast. Across the province, 1,001,331 people have voted, more than 28 per cent of all registered electors. Election day polls are open Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. MORE

Wellington Community Centre cost soaring

24-10-18 – Pay me now or pay me later, only it will cost more then. Converting the old South Wellington Elementary School site into a community centre has climbed another $1.1 million, bringing the total to more than $3.9 million. It was originally tabbed at $1.5 million. Electoral Area A director Jessica Stanley said the transition has been an adventure, but she reinforced her support. MORE

Flood watch issued for coastal areas

24-10-18 – The River Forecast Centre has issued a flood watch for the south and central coasts. Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement to a rainfall warning, with mountainous areas of Vancouver Island expected to get more than 200 mm of precipitation. The intense deluge of rain coming our way could impact travel on BC Ferries. It advises that multiple sailing routes could be affected in the North Strait of Georgia and North Vancouver Island regions. If you were planning to travel between Comox and Powell River, several sailings could be cancelled due to the weather. MORE

WEB QUOTE – The funny thing about getting older, you eyesight gets weaker but your ability to see through people’s BS becomes much stronger.

Doubling down on

election fantasy

24-10-17 – Imagine if we could engineer a tie in the provincial election – 46 seats each and the Green Party one to be the speaker. We’d have the best of two worlds. Look at how double blessed we’d be if both parties had to deliver on their endless promises.

We’d get two patient towers at our hospital and everything else each party promised. Each party would take care of the homeless population – half each, problem solved.

Street crime would be eliminated with half of the guilty being institutionalized and the other half totally buzzed while continuing to get their free government drugs.

Imagine all the housing we’d have with Conservative free enterprise coupled with NDP social housing.

We’d even get a choice in car insurance from the Conservatives while keeping the stripped-down NDP version.

I see one major drawback though, we’d likely owe both the $9-billion NDP budget deficit along with the $11-billion Conservative deficit.

Funny how the light at the end of the tunnel so often is the headlight of the train barreling down on us.

Batten down the hatches, major rain storm a-brewin

241017 – Get out your raincoat and galoshes, a major rain storm is on its way, just in time for election day. Environment Canada warns that a prolonged heavy rain storm will sweep over Vancouver Island this weekend. It is expected to begin around noon Friday and continue through Saturday and Sunday. Rain is expected to reach 40 to 70 mm for most of the Island over the three-day period. The west side of the Island and inland will get drenched with up to 200 mm. Strong southeast winds up to 80 km/h are expected to sweep areas of the Island on Saturday. The storm is expected to ease by Sunday. MORE

There's something to be said for being poor

241017 – JUST A MINUTE – One thing about being poor, the government keeps sending me money. My latest vote-buying $152 payment from the federal government arrived this week disguised as a GST rebate. How do I deal with my jealous rich friends who don’t get that handout and feel left out?

Island voters turning out in record numbers

241017 – Ladysmith-Oceanside voters are turning out in droves to vote early. Not counting Wednesday’s final advance poll, 13,422 had already voted. Vancouver Island districts had the top five turnouts across British Columbia: Courtenay-Comox, (14,876) Saanich North and the Islands (14,506), Ladysmith Oceanside (13,422), Oak Bay (12,907) and Victoria-Beacon Hill (12,607). Records are also being shattered in other ridings with 181,000 ballots cast across the province on Tuesday, bringing the total early vote to more than a quarter of a million with one day of advance polls to go. MORE

Leaders double down on local health care

241017 – Health care needs in Nanaimo have been getting a lot of attention in the election as leaders of both major parties reheated and served warmed over promises. As in the initial announcements, neither John Rustad nor David Eby brought any details or timelines. Rustad promised a cardiac catheterization lab and patient tower. Eby revisited an earlier promise to build a patient tower at NRGH, including hiring new health care workers in addition to improved infrastructure. He said planning would begin immediately, but still no construction forecast. MORE

Government employees fired for pandemic scam

241017 – Revenue Canada has fired 330 employees for inappropriately taking the Canada Emergency Response Benefit during the pandemic. The CRA launched an internal review last June into employees who received CERB despite being ineligible for the benefit. It also identified 600 more employees for further investigation. CERB provided $2,000 per month to Canadians whose jobs were lost as a result of public health restrictions during the pandemic. Now, hopefully, comes the pay back. MORE

WEB QUOTE – A psychiatrist is a fellow who asks you a lot of expensive questions your wife asks for nothing.

Latest polls show Central Island ridings in play

24-10-16 – John Diefenbaker is credited with the quote that “we all know what dogs do to poles.” Polls keep us busy trying to predict the outcome of the election. While over all the main parties may be neck and neck, individual ridings can upset that applecart. Data from 338 Canada, which combined opinion polls with electoral history and demographic data, suggests we have a real battle in Ladysmith-Oceanside which is leaning toward the Conservatives. Nanaimo-Lantzville is considered a toss-up. Nanaimo-Gabriola and Mid-Island Pacific Rim are considered safe seats for the NDP.

Bus rides to the polls are free on Saturday

24-10-16 – There’s very little excuse for not voting in the election on Saturday. B.C. Transit has free rides to the polls all day. The free rides include registered HandyDART customers as well. For routes and schedules, go HERE and voting locations, go HERE

Check this out before you mark your ballot

24-10-16 - Many people have voted already, but the majority still have to make that trip to the polling station to make their choice. There are many things to consider before you make your choice.

• Biggest outcome of the election will likely be unmet expectations from undelivered promises.

• We’ve been showered with campaign promises galore, but many are so open ended they mean absolutely nothing. Based on promises, we should have hospitals sprouting up all over the province. The catch is when and where's the money?

• There are still countless unfulfilled promises from the past provincial elections.

• Health care is in crisis with constant weekend shutdowns of emergency departments throughout the province. And there's no solution in sight.

• Removal of the carbon tax is designed to be a major vote-getter but it comes without any source for replacement of that income. It has to come from somewhere or government services have to be reduced. Outcome is based on income and vice versa.

• The NDP is touting lower vehicle insurance premiums but fails the transparency test by failing to mention that they reduced coverage and took away our right to legal representation.

• There's also a promise to open up ICBC to competition from the private sector.

• Earlier promises to include mandatory treatment for some drug users were abandoned and then refloated in this campaign. What the heck, it sounds good and it might sell . . . again. That all ties in with open drug use, street crime and homelessness.

• The safer drug theory and it’s spiralling negative outcome is another thing to keep in mind before you mark your ballot. That goes with open use and street crime. We hear reports of school kids experimenting with government drugs because they believe coming from government, they must be safe.

• There’s also a vow to reopen Riverview mental health facility in the Lower Mainland and similar facilities throughout the province. When and where?

• On affordable housing, a major obstacle is government itself with its Property Transfer Tax, and the speculation tax which they now want to increase, PST on building materials and local-level red tape.

• The Conservatives offer to spend about $11 billion more to make the province a better place, but the catch is that it will result in a multi-billion deficit which means more spending than coming in. Both the NDP and Greens forecast a $9.6-billiion deficit if they win. Not much fiscal responsibility there.

• Censorship is still with us in trying to stifle the beliefs of some candidates. Let the voters make that choice, not competing politicos. To quote columnist John Feldsted, The fundamental freedom of public expression is intrinsic to democracy. The cure for speech we dislike is more speech. We need to question the answers if we don’t like the answers.

These are only some of the issues to take into consideration. If you’re okay with them, then vote accordingly. If you’re not, there is an alternative. That’s the great part of democracy, you get to choose. No party will meet all expectations. so you're stuck with the lesser of two-plus evils.

Another outcome after the campaign people will hopefully talk to each other in a civil manner again without sleaze, name-calling and finger-pointing.

Emergency alert system test Thursday

241015 – Just don’t don’t jump out of your skivies when your cell phone goes crazy Thursday mid-morning. That’s when the city will test its Voyent alert app simultaneously with BC ShakeOut. Folks throughout the province will conduct the drop, cover and hold on earthquake safety procedures. It organized by the British Columbia Earthquake Alliance and will happen just after 10 a.m. MORE

Dufferin Place reaches bus funding target

241015 – Dufferin Placehas been without a working bus for the last two years but that’s about to change, thanks to the Eldercare Foundation which helped reach the fund raising target. Dufferin has been borrowing Trillum Lodge's bus when it's available. The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation fund raiser was designed to pay for bus rentals, patio upgrades at Eagle Park in Qualicum Beach and outdoor equipment and programming at Trillium Lodge in Parksville for about $50,000. Eldercare Foundation made a donation that allowed the fund raiser to reach its target. MORE

A chance to curl with a world champion

241015 – There’s nothing quite like curling with an icon to boost your ego. Four-time world champion, 15-time Grand Slam champion and three-time Olympian Kevin Martin will host a technical seminar, and attend a beer and burger night on Saturday, Oct. 19 to boost fund raising efforts for the Nanaimo Curling Club. The club has been scrambling to replace ice chilling equipment and finally came up with a used chiller from  Burnaby. MORE

Here comes the tab for Conservative promises

241015 – It's last-minute but B.C. Conservatives are expected to produce the tab for their election promises in the next little while. Leader John Rustad is expected to explain how he's going to pay for all his promises, from the so-called Rustad rebate to exempt up to $3,000 a month of rent or mortgage payments from taxes, to the plan to eliminate the carbon tax. Rustad also said the Conservatives would eliminate the provincial deficit of nearly $9 billion within two terms of government. And like in Nanaimo, a new hospital in Surrey is among the promises. The NDP has said its platform promises this election would cause government revenue to drop by more than $1.5 billion, while it forecasts the province’s budget deficit to increase next year to $9.6 billion. MORE

Oct. 13, 2024

Party campaigns stoking threats

It’s rather rich when NDP leader David Eby preaches violence should have no place in British Columbia politics, as police investigated a bomb threat at a party campaign office in Campbell River. The party campaign has been pumping out hate like there’s no tomorrow. It’s the same with the Conservative party, smear and personal attacks and outright lies. No wonder some crackpot takes the message seriously.

Oct. 12, 2024

Ladysmith-Oceanside has top advance turnout

We're off to the races. Ladysmith-Oceanside voters are getting the job done early with 4,252 ballots cast Thursday in the first day of advance voting. That was the highest turnout of any riding in the province. More than 170,000 British Columbians cast their ballots Thursday, a record, beating the previous high by nearly 45,000 votes. The previous record for votes cast on the first day of advanced voting was 126,491, set during the 2017 election. Thursday's total was 171,381. MORE

Oct. 12, 2024

A tip of the old chapeau to Nanaimo photographer Shane Gross for being named Wildlife Photographer of the Year by the Natural History Museum U.K. The winning entry was a shot of tadpoles swimming in a Vancouver Island lake. “The Swarm of Life,” depicts a inky-black and gold western toad tadpoles swimming among towering plants and algae. Gross describes himself as a marine conservation photojournalist. He topped contestants from117 other countries who submitted a record-breaking 59,228 photos to the competition. MORE

Sometimes when rules don’t fit the need you have to be able to changes them. Transport Canada has exempted Hullo Ferries to allow them to transport wheelchair passengers and stay in their chairs for the duration of the trip, rather than moving to a seat on the ferry. Previous rules required passengers had to be in a seat bolted to the ferry. MORE

A growing number of Liberal MPs are trying to convince Prime Minister Justin Trudeau it’s time to step down. Details about the strategy and breadth of the attempt to push him out remains unclear. One MP said the number involved is  significant and this revolt is real. The latest Nanos poll shows the Liberals in a battle with the NDP for second place. The Conservatives are running away at 34.8 per cent while the Liberals have 19.5 per cent backing and the NDP at 18.2, considered within the statistical margin of error. MORE

WEB QUOTE – One minute you're young and fun. The next, you're turning down the car stereo to see better.

Oct. 11, 2024

Jim Turley dedicated to Nanaimo cancer cause

There’s no quit in Jim Turley. After he retired from city council he has been active in advocating for a cancer centre in Nanaimo and is the chairman of the B.C. Cancer Foundation's Nanaimo regional advisory council, serves as a member of the Rotary Club of Nanaimo and is involved with the organizing of next year's 55-Plus B.C. Games in Nanaimo. The Cancer Foundation announced that Jim has dedicated a substantial portion of his estate to the foundation. Jim’s wife Marianne died due to cancer in 2021. MORE

It’s all about color at Milner Gardens And Woodlands second annual Scarecrow Spectacular, a fun family event. The garden is filled with wonderful and fun scarecrows this year for the community to enjoy. You can dress up in costumes and wander through scarecrow lane to admire and vote for your favorite scarecrow creations. And there’s a menu of harvest-themed foods at the outdoor food service station near Milner House. The Scarecrow Spectacular runs from Oct. 25 to 27,  11 am to 3 pm, with viewing until 3:30 pm. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for youth. Learn more about Scarecrow Spectacular. Follow Milner Gardens on Facebook and Instagram

Nanaimo rentals came down in September from August with a one-bedroom unit now listed for an average of $1,855, down close to one-per-cent. Two-bedrooms were an average of $2,378, a 3.3-per-cent decrease from August. Despite the monthly decreases, the year-over-year rates rose for both sizes. One-bedrooms are up 1.5 per cent, while two-bedroom units increased nine per cent. MORE

Has NDP candidate George Anderson got identity issues? He appears to talk more about the Conservative platform than his own.

WEB QUOTE – Last year banks collected $30 billion in overdraft fees. In other words, they took $30 billion from people who had no money.

Advance polls now open

Advance voting Oct. 10 to Oct. 13, and Oct 15-16, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. No voting on Oct. 14. Go to any District electoral office between now and election day Oct. 19 to cast your ballot.

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Locations
Gabriola Elementary School
Moose Lodge
Royal Canadian Legions Branch 256
St. Paul’s Anglican Church
VIU, Bldg 300

Nanaimo-Lantzville Advance polls
Beban Park,
Costin Hall,
Wellington Hall

Ladysmith-Oceanside advance polls
Christinn Fellowship Centre
Craig Street Commons Gym
Saltair Community Centre
Stz'uminus Health Centre

For election day polling locations, go HERE for the full list.

Oct. 9, 2024

Rustad exposed in leaders' debate

John Rustad got just what he needed from Tuesday’s televised leaders‘ debate. He got the opportunity to introduce himself to the greater public than the intimate party functions throughout the province. And he also got to put to bed many of the NDP smears and character attacks.

Did he succeed? The voters will decide that on Oct. 19.

NDP leader David Eby was himself throughout the 90 minutes, a true ideologue offering no solutions to the issues that have arisen in the province during his leadership. Health care is a mess and getting worse, street crime is climbing, the drug pandemic is getting worse. Eby did not provide an answer to the housing crisis, defending his denial of civil rights of property owners.

One thing that stuck out was his claim that his government brought down government insurance rates – yes, at reduced coverage and another denial of rights, not allowing citizens to have legal representation in insurance disputes. A cheaper product at a reduced price.

Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau replayed her party’s cradle-to-the-grave government-controlled Nirvana mantra, but came out looking good in holding her own during the debate.

The show was very well moderated and controlled. The after-show, allowing the leaders to lay out their platforms in more of an unstructured format, proved an excellent wrap up.

The election campaign is coming to the finish line with great expectations by supporters of all parties. Voting begins at advance polls tomorrow (Oct 10), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The smear tactics by the NDP and the Conservatives, have entrenched firm positions for many voters, convinced they must win or it will be the end of the world.

We need to all keep in mind, no matter which party comes away with the prize, the world will not end and the sky will not fall. An NDP victory will continue the direction we’ve been going and a Conservative win will aim the province in a new direction. That’s the choice we have to make – a new outlook or more of the same. Only you can decide which way you want it to go, but remember, we’ll all survive either way.

Oct. 9, 2024

Council rejects proposal

for vacant property registry

Owners of vacant properties in the city will not go on any “list.” City council has rejected to the idea of a registry for vacant buildings. Public Safety Director Dave LaBerge presented a report sought by council after the Newcastle Neighbourhood Association argued that vacant and derelict buildings in their area have been influencing perceptions of safety and decreasing property values, and requested the city to consider new bylaw regulations to require property owners to take measures to mitigate nuisances and unauthorized entry. LaBerge’s report offered three options, one to not change current policy, and two involving the implementation of a vacant property registry or permit which would  be very costly. MORE

Talk about being impatient. The driver of a truck caused extensive property damage after driving around traffic and jumping the curb and driving on the sidewalk in downtown Nanaimo Tuesday. He sped away after traffic cleared. Witnesses said the truck struck a lamp post, which then toppled onto a car. MORE

RCMP are confident they will be able to identify the man who viciously assaulted another man on Nicol Street on Tuesday morning. Video footage and eyewitness accounts will make it easier to identify the attacker, say RCMP. The victim was take to hospital with serious injuries. Police spokesman Gary O’Brien said the victim, who appeared to be homeless was sitting on the curb when he was assaulted. Anyone with information, including dash cam footage of the area, or who saw the assault take place is asked to contact the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345. MORE

Western Forest Products is cutting back lumber production due to market challenges. The company is reducing production by approximately 30 million board feet from October to December. That’s on top of additional curtailments earlier this year, an annual cut of 90 million board feet, 10 per cent of the company’s annual capacity. The cuts are blamed on market challenges including weaker lumber demand and higher U.S. softwood lumber duty rates. MORE

Web Quote – One of our readers complained he couldn't watch the leaders debate last night because he has a Smart TV.

Oct. 8, 2024

Burton named to top job for Nanaimo RCMP detachment

Supt. Andrew Burton, has been appointed Officer In Charge of the Nanaimo RCMP after serving in an acting role for the past year. Burton has a 30-year policing career with stops in Smithers, Bella Coola, Kamloops, Merritt, Port Alberni, Quesnel and Regina, before moving to Nanaimo. MORE

Parksville’s Beach Festival is great for the community.Thousands of dollars generated through theOceanside area’s signature annual eventis going back into the community withnearly $81,000 going to 21 local organizations who served as gate ambassadors welcoming more than 115,000 visitors. Society president Cheryl Dill said 150 volunteers worked throughout the summer and this is opportunity to give away the funds. MORE

Oct. 7, 2024

Oceanside RCMP have arrested and charged 52-year-old James Griffiths  with second-degree murder in the death of his mother, Donna Webster almost two years ago. Griffiths was arrested and charged Friday with his next court appearance Oct. 15 in Nanaimo. Griffiths remains in police custody. MORE

Oct. 8, 2024

Three party leaders face off
in televised debate tonight

The leaders of B.C.’s three political parties are sharpening their wits for tonight’s televised debate which will be the only before voting day on Oct. 19. The debate can be seen on most B.C. television stations and online at 6:30 p.m.

Eby vows mental health services for schools

NDP Leader David Eby focussed on his education plans including a mental health counsellor in every school and an educational assistant for all classrooms from kindergarten to year three. He also said there would be expanded on-site school child care.

Rustad puts focus on justice system

The Conservative Party is focussing on public safety and rebuilding the justice system. Leader John Rustad want to restore a justice system that will serve the rights of law-abiding citizens and victims of crime. BC used to be a place where people felt safe leaving their doors unlocked. Today, the soft-on-crime policies allow criminals to roam free in search of law-abiding citizens to attack. Service workers fear for their safety on the job, horrifying stranger assaults have been normalized, and public trust in the justice system is shattered, Rustad added.

Conservative leader clarifies comment of pandemis

Conservative Leader John Rustad has clarified a July comment comparing Covid 19 issues with the Holocaust. Rustad had made the comment during a conversation with members of the BC Public Service Employees for Freedom group. He said he had misunderstood the question about whether he supported “Nuremberg 2.0.” He says it’s a distortion of history to compare pandemic public health measures with the Nuremberg trials.

Furstenau supports transitional housing

Greens Leader Sonia Furstenau in Victoria said the party would support what she called a successful model of transitional housing that is employed in Duncan. She says the Village model, which sees people housed in small individual housing units, offers practical solutions for the homelessness crisis. MORE

Oct. 7, 2024

NDP vows to keep guns off the streets

NDP Leader David Eby vows to keep illegal guns off the streets ensure and police have the tools to keep illegal guns from criminal organizations and protect families from potentially deadly domestic violence. He says the NDP will continue to support the federal hand-gun and semi-automatic weapons seizure law and continue to back B.C. police anti-gang programs, including the Integrated Gang Homicide Team, which focuses on gang-connected homicides and improving police surveillance of gang activities. MORE

How about doing it now?

JUST A MINUTE – NDP candidates are criss-crossing the province vowing to fix what’s wrong . . . if they are re-elected. A question a lot of people are asking, why wait? Why not just go ahead and do it now?

Figuring out how the election will wind up

That province-wide polls may lead us to think we know all about the outcome of the Oct. 19 election, but redistribution and new electoral districts has made that a lot more challenging. Ost up in the air are the six ridings added to the electoral map, and the collapse of the formerly the BC Liberals, coupled with the rise of the upstart B.C. Conservatives as the NDP’s main challenger. Analyst Mike McDonald was chief of staff for premier Christy Clark, says there are “always a few ridings that surprise you” but this year’s realignment of both ridings and parties adds even more volatility. MORE

Rustad wants treatment to replace drug overdose sites

Drug use is front and centre in the election race. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad wants to eliminate all overdose prevention sites and replace them with mental health and addictions treatment centres instead. Rustad said inhalation and injection sites are not safe. “Enough of the drug dens. We need to be converting them over to make sure they’re connected with recovery.
      On the other side, Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau wants to expand safer supply of opioids and other drugs. She supports a broader system of prescribed drugs, including fentanyl. MORE

Leaders to debate on TV tomorrow

The three party leaders will face off in a televised debate ahead of the provincial election at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 8. David Eby, John Rustad and Sonia Furstenau will debate in the broadcast on television and streamed online including CTV News Vancouver. MORE

Oct 6, 2024

Stripping Jolly Miner Hotel of its last dignity

Another page of Nanaimo history is about to be turned with the Jolly Miner Hotel has been ordered to upgrade or go under the wrecking ball. City council has approved a remedial action order for the building at 540 Haliburton St. The two-story hotel opened in 1889 as the Italian Hotel and went through numerous name changes over the years, finally settling on The Jolly Miner in the early 1900s. It ceased operations in the 2010s after pipes burst and flooded the building. Nanaimo Fire Rescue issued a fire order in 2013 after it responded to 63 calls to the property including 45 medical-aid calls and two structure fires. MORE

The dream of snagging tickets to Taylor Swift’s shows in Vancouver are exactly that, a nightmare. Scammers are taking advantage of the scramble for tickets. For the past year, since tickets went on sale, fraudulent re-sale tickets, usually involving e-transferring to a person posing as a ticket seller on social media like Facebook Marketplace are taking advantage. Saanich Police issued the latest warning on Friday. Police say the sellers appear legitimate and promise to send the tickets once they receive an e-transfer from the buyer, but once the scammers get the money, they disappear. The safest caution is that if it’s on Facebook or Marketplace, don’t touch it. MORE

WEB QUOTE – If facts hurt your feelings you need new feelings, not new facts.

BC NDP platform

BC Conservative platform
BC Green party platform

Oct. 6, 2024

Down the homestretch for

Oct. 19 provincial election

With less than two weeks before the October general election, I’m going to focus on the latest from the main parties. I’ve been holding back because of the vicious personal attacks and smear campaigning between NDP Leader David Eby and Conservative Leader John Rustad. Generally I’ll simply ignore those attacks or label them with a fact check.

Eby offers loan forgiveness

for health professionals

Premier David Eby has promised a $75-million loan forgiveness program to entice doctors, nurses and health professionals to expand health-care services in rural British Columbia. Eby’s pledge comes as hospitals in rural B.C. face periods of emergency closures, due primarily to staff shortage issues. He said the province needs to win the competition for doctors and nurses, both nationally and internationally. Emergency rooms at South Okanagan General Hospital in Oliver were closed Saturday due to limited physician availability. MORE

Conservatives take aim at wildfire regulations

Conservative Leader John Rustad promised to improve wildfire prevention and protect communities. Kelowna and West Kelowna in the Okanagan were ravaged by wildfires last summer that forced thousands of people from their homes and damaged or destroyed almost 200 structures. The Conservatives promise a comprehensive review of wildfire policies while shifting the focus to wildfire prevention, including investing in new technologies to reduce wildfire risks before the fires start. Rustad said the province is spending nine times more fighting fires than we are preventing them.

NDP wants to double speculation, vacancy tax

NDP Leader David Eby likes taxes – he wants to double down on housing investment by raising the speculation and vacancy tax on empty homes. The proposed plan would double the tax on empty homes that are owned by Canadians to one per cent from half a per cent of the property's assessed value. For foreign owners, the tax would rise to three per cent of the property's value, up from the current two per cent. Eby said the tax increase, which is aimed at turning vacant second homes into rental properties, would help alleviate the shortage of affordable housing in the province. MORE

Rustad vows to end tent cities, reopen Riverview

Tent cities across the province are among Conservative Leader John Rustad’s priorities as he vows to end them with measures that would include strict enforcement of public safety laws, and building more supportive housing that will have zero tolerance for drugs and crime. Rustad said his party will end the handout of free drugs and crack pipes. He said the Conservatives will reopen Riverview Hospital, which used to be a mental-health facility and was shut down in 2012, to provide treatment for people who need support with mental health and addictions.

Conservative leader promises to end ICBC monopoly

Conservative Leader John Rustad want to end ICBC's car insurance monopoly. “Introduce competition – the ability for competition with ICBC – to make sure there is fair and proper insurance for people here in British Columbia,” said Rustad. He says he'd keep the no-fault scheme for minor injuries – making up 85 percent of claims – but ditch it for serious, life-threatening ones. MORE

VIU Students' union all-candidates meeting

The VIU Students’ Union and the VIU political studies department has a candidate forum on Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 4-6 p.m. at VIU’s Malaspina Theatre.

Chamber of Commerce all-candidates forum Wednesday

The Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce will hold an all-candidates meeting on Wednesday at the Nanaimo Golf Club, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. It will include candidates for Nanaimo-Lantazville and Nanaimo-Gabriola Island electoral district. It is cosponsored by the Vanvouver Island branch of the Canadian Home Builders Association.

Why does Canada expect

different results when it keeps choosing the same ‘actors’?

 MORE

Oct. 5, 2024

Next week is fire prevention week and if you do just one thing, check your smoke alarms and replace the batteries. Or if they are older than the hills, replace them completely. Fire prevention officer Umesh Lal says the week is dedicated to emphasizing the “install, test, replace” message. Ideally it would be great to have an alarm in every sleeping area or at least on each level, including the basement of your home. MORE

Greyhound may have high tailed it out of town, but there’s a new way to get from Victoria to Campbell River by bus. Nanaimo Regional Transit and Comox Valley Regional District will make a connection twice daily. They will connect at Deep Bay Marina northwest of Qualicum Beach transit users will be able to transfer between buses. It’s the last link of connection between all the communities from Campbell River down to Victoria, says Stuart McLean of Nanaimo Transit. MORE

WEB QUOTE – Support the country you live in or live in the country you support

Oct. 5, 2024

The goings on

in our Parliament

Most Canadians don’t follow our Parliament’sproceedings. Most rely on the interpretation of others, mainly the press. And we know its credibility don’t we?

Well, the latest is whether Parliament should have access to documents it has requested. The Speaker has ruled it does. The Government is resisting. The Auditor General finds that numerous conflicts of interest were committed in the dispensing of the money from the Green Fund. Check this out.

Oct. 4, 2024

Nananimo’s worst crash intersection lived up to its reputation this morning when an SUV rolled over backing up traffic on the Island Highway. Emergency responded to the intersection with Rutherford Road at 9:15 a.m. B.C. Ambulance Service paramedics treated the driver at the scene. That intersection had 73 accidents lsst year, the second-most of any intersection on the Island.

Municipalities pass bylaws without the ability to enforce them. Lantzville noise and property standard bylaws but no way to apply fines. Planning director George Robinson said the district has a good neighbour bylaw which captures noise violations as well. But RCMP officers are unable to issue ticket violations for noise complaints because the bylaw is not included in ticket information. Nanaimo also has numerous unenforceable bylaws. MORE

If you felt a little rumble this morning, it was not your stomach. Earthquakes Canada reported a 3.5 magnitude tremor at 2:09 a.m. halfway between Nanaimo and Tsawwassen. It was reportedly lightly felt in the surrounding area.

As the 2024 Tour de Rock ride comes to an end this afternoon, the riders are celebrating raising more than $800,000 for cancer research and support for children wit cancer. When it was all done, 16 riders had cycled down Vancouver Island from Port Alice to Victoria. Const. Warren Kongus of the Duncan RCMP said 16 strangers came together in March to raise money for children and their families impacted by pediatric cancer. MORE

WEB QUOTE – It’s tough getting older. I went to an antique shop and they wouldn’t let me leave.

Attention voters in BC who support

one of the three main political parties

If you are as keen as I am to improve the integrity of our political process you can request your leader and your candidate to agree in writing to amend The Members Conflict of Interest Act (RSBC 1996) Chapter 287 so that any member found guilty of violating provisions of the Act as determined by the Commissioner (identified in The Act) must not be eligible to continue to sit in the Legislature for a period of five years. MORE

24-10-03

A fenced off section of Commercial Street has not dampened the spirits of businesses optimistic things will change for the better. They are counting on brighter days ahead after the extensive overhaul of  a section of the street. Free on-street parking in portions of the downtown are taking some of the sting out of the challenge. The work on Commercial between Wharf and Church Streets is expected to be done by May.  Multi-phase enhancements are centred on increasing accessibility, with an event-ready sidewalk lining both sides of the street. On-street parking will patios, bike parking and trees. Changes also include watermain replacement, lighting improvements and repaving. Construction slowed down this week when mine voids were discovered. Ian Holmes of Nanaimo News Now take as extensive look at the situation HERE.

Ladysmith wants to engage with residents, launching an online platform where they can provide input on projects and initiatives. Let’s Talk Ladysmith is a forum where they share ideas and discuss current and future projects in the community. The website will feature project pages to keep residents informed about town projects. It will have polls, surveys, interactive maps, question-and-answer sessions, forums and brainstorming activities. Nanaimo had a form of engagement some years ago but shut it down due to abuse by some users. MORE

In case someone mentions it on coffee row, yes A 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck south west of Vancouver Island yesterday morning about 210 kilometres west of Nootka Island. Such rumbles rarely get mentioned since this is the 59th recorded earthquake across southwestern British Columbia in the last month. No damage has been reported. MORE

If you want to chill out, stick around, this winter may be just what you’re looking for. An incoming LaNina weather pattern may bring a colder and wetter than normal winter, says Sean Fleming, of UBC. It would certainly be good news in the face of the prolonged drought which has caused wildfires to burn year-round, forced some communities to ration water supplies and dangerously lowered water levels in rivers, impacting salmon runs. Early projections show a 71-per-cent chance that a La Nina weather pattern will move in bringing lower temperatures and higher precipitation, easing persistent drought conditions. MORE

Anyone with a taste for grandeur need to look no further than Sproat Lake. Sunset Island is a 3.7 acre, private property located 15 minutes west of Port Alberni. If you’ve got an extra $2,450,000 burning a hole in your bank vault, check out Sotheby’s Realty. This Pacific paradise has a 1,470-sq.-ft. cedar log chalet, with four bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling windows with prime sunset views, and a hot tub that overlooks Taylor Arm. Two docks, a two-bedroom float house, numerous tent sites, and a cabin are also part of the package. Sotheby’s real estate agent Brian Danyliw says there are two very serious buyers looking at the property. DREAM HERE.

Watch your mouth . . . or your keyboard. A Lower Mainland man has been ordered to pay $4,000 to a Coquitlam company and its two owners because of a negative review he posted on Google. Hyungdong Lee worked in an office adjacent to the Coquitlam headquarters of Pacific Granite Manufacturing Ltd. Lee's vehicle was damaged in a hit-and-run crash claiming to be owned by Pacific Granite employee. When Lee could not reach a settlement with the company or the employee he posted a review in which he recounted his experience with the hit-and-run urging readers to "please never do business with this place." Good advice for internet warriors, you can’t just say what you want. MORE

Your next food delivery through DoorDash is going to cost you more. The food delivery company said new regulations that increased wages have impacted operating costs. All delivery orders placed through DoorDash will include a new regulatory response fee of 99 cents for restaurant delivery orders and up to $2.99 for all other delivery orders. DoorDash drivers now earn at least $20.88 per hour before tips, plus an additional 35 cents per kilometre on each delivery, 20 per cent higher than the minimum wage which is $17.40. MORE

Web quote – A new study has revealed that married couples have a higher chance of divorce than single people.

24-10-02

It will be slow going for night-time drivers on the Malahat this month. You’ll get through, but single-lane alternating traffic will be in effect for repaving starting on Oct. 4 from Aspen Road to the recently-completed Tunnel Hill project. Work will take place from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. from Sunday to Thursday, with delays of up to 20 minutes. The province advises travelling outside those hours. MORE

Five dozen businesses took centre stage at the Bigger Mid-Island Business Expo Friday, Sept. 27 at the Conference Centre. The trade show showcased innovations and created networking opportunities for those looking for new products, services and partnerships.

Putting your garbage bins out too early could net a hefty fine. WildSafe B.C. is tagging the bins with an educational sticker with the date and time it was spotted. Don’t put your cans out before 5 a.m. on collection date or it could cost you hundreds of bucks in fines, courtesy of conservation officers. Placing garbage out early can attract wildlife, including black bears, which wander into neighbourhoods smelling it as food. Bears becomes acclimated, less afraid of people. MORE

Now there’s an idea. Kathleen Jones posted on the Nanaimo Zone Facebook page that the City provides dog poop bags and garbage cans. She questions whether that would be a solution for human waste on our streets. We're doing it for dogs so why not for Humans? Nobody wants to step in human feces and having a way to carry a bag and dispose the same way might save our streets. But would those humans usually use those bags and dispose of them? MORE  COMMENT HERE

Small and medium-sized businesses will get their long-awaited carbon tax refunds before the end of this year. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the federal government will send more than $2.5 billion to about 600,000 Canadian businesses in December. The payments will return a portion of the carbon price revenue to small businesses in jurisdictions where the federal fuel charge applies. The amount will depend on the province it operates in and the number of workers it employs. For example, a business in Ontario with 10 employees can expect to get $4,010, while a business in Saskatchewan with 499 employees will get $576,844. MORE

WEB QUOTE – Sometimes I talk to myself and then we laugh and laugh

24-20-02

No talk of debt and deficit, is totally irresponsible

The “small” people who lead our provincial political parties do not have the integrity to talk of such things.That’s why they aresmall people. Citing the government’s own figures from The Public Accounts for 2023-24 and the budget document for 2024-25, BC Debt has ballooned from $76,161 Billion in 2020 to$107,462 Billion in 2024, a 30-per-cent increase in debt in four years. Has your debt gone up 30 per cent? MORE

Oct. 1, 2024

Operator co-operating on prevention site drug case

The Canadian Mental Health Association mid-Island branch is co-operating with the RCMP after a reported substantial drugs and weapons seizure at its overdose prevention site Executive director Jason Harrison told NanaimoNewsNOW they are taking it seriously and will review policies and procedures to ensure that operations meet the highest standards of safety and accountability. He added they are fully committed to adopting the necessary changes to strengthen our processes.

WEB QUOTE – I remember switching to plastic bags to save the trees.

Sept. 30, 2024

City Council says no to

forest industry support

Nanaimo was once a forestry town, but that appears to be history. A council majority has denied support for the forestry industry. Councillors Tyler Brown, Hillary Eastmure, Ben Geselbracht, Erin Hemmens and Paul Manly voted against writing a letter of support for the industry. This was the second time they rebuffed the Forestry Works for B.C. campaign which sought a letter of support opposing forestry regulations. The campaign represents forest-based organizations and companies, including Coastland Wood Industries, Nanaimo Forest Products, Jones Marine Group and the Truck Loggers Association. Nanaimo Forest Products CEO Paul Sadler, told city council that the industry's future is uncertain. Mayor Leonard Krog and councillors Armstrong, Perrino, and Thorpe voted to support the industry request. Campbell River and Terrace have issued letters of support. MORE

YOUR COMMENT

Wildfires are still with us with evacuations. Christina Lake in the Kootenay Boundary region has evacuated residents from 42 homes. The regional district says inthat an emergency operation centre has been activated, and 208 homes in the area are on alert to leave on short notice. MORE

It's a slow news day on a fabulous fall day, so enjoy before you return to the regular grind tomorrow.

WEB QUOTE – You will get way less concerned with what others think of you when you realize how seldom they do.

Spiralling government debt

The fact we can only 'have' the things we think necessary, health care, housing etc. by going more and more into deeper and deeper debt means it doesn't matter who is elected, they will be slaves to the debt.

How much is the annual cost to service the current provincial debt?

Federally we spend more to service the debt than we spend on national defense. Only a fool would bother support 'leadership' that steals more and more tax dollars and gives them to the bankers of the world. It has to collapse, it always does.

Next time will make the great depressiion look like a party. Can you imagine this entitled generatiion coping with the complete collapse?Me neither. This is what happens when we put our faith and trust in people, rather than God?

Jim Taylor, Nanaimo