Four vehicles were damaged in an early morning fire which also damaged an apartment building near the downtown area. Police and fire officials are investigating after fire crews responded to Millstream Manor at 42 Prideaux St. The fire appeared to have started in a carport at the rear of the building. One car appeared to be a total loss. There was smoke damage to the outside of the building. MORE

The well-worn issue of vote splitting is raising its head in Nanaimo-Ladysmith where most of the votes are split between three parties. Conservative Tamara Kronis is leading the polls with Green Paul Manly and NDP Lisa Marie Barron running neck and neck. It’s the same lineup as in 2021 with Barron winning, Kronis second and Manly third. Then there's a third splitter, the Liberal candidate. Manly is not worried about splitting the vote opposed to Kronis, saying his own polls show him in second place at this point. MORE

The Juno awards are getting to be old hat for Nanaimo’s David Gogo and he’ll be in the spotlight again at the show tonight. He’s be facing down against Blue Moon Marquee, both nominated for Blues Album of the Year. Gogo’s first nomination was 30 years ago. There’s more than the blues with eight other nominees with Island roots include Spiritbox, Mother Mother, AP Dhillon, Christine Jensen, Eric Bearclaw, and Tuli Porcher of Inn Echo. MORE

This weekend’s hospital emergency department shutdown is in Mission with patients redirected to other facilities. Fraser Health blamed “physician staffing challenges.” The health authority said it is “working closely” with B.C. Emergency Health Services to ensure patients are sent to an appropriate emergency facility. MORE

Local sports hero, Les Varro, died last week at age 88. He was a boxer, born in Hungary, who turned to coaching when he moved to Nanaimo in the early 1970s. He coached the Nanaimo Boxing Club and trained countless fighters, many of them won national recognition. He retired in 2004 after 34 years as head coach of the club, influencing hundreds of you people. (Information provided by Ian Thorpe.)

Love photography? Check out the Harbour City Photography Club’s local photo series showcasing images taken by the members. It’s a 30-minute slide show featuring more than 160 images of beautifully-captured life and landscapes. It’s on Shaw Community Channel and on YouTube HERE.

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Hey, it’s the last weekend of Spring break so long ferry sailing waits should be expected. Before you head out, check the current conditions on the Ferries website and book ahead. Spring break is one of its busiest travel periods as many families try to take advantage of school holidays to book getaways. MORE

Corey Samuel Robinson, 39, has been sentenced to eight months in jail and two years probation for admitting to possessing and sharing child pornography. Judge Tamara Hodge handed down the sentence in provincial court in Nanaimo on Friday. Robinson had pleaded guilty last year. to the single count last year. MORE

Despite vaccine safety questions, Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry is launching a spring COVID-19 immunization campaign and wants everyone to ensure they’re fully protected against measles. She said COVID-19 hospitalizations are the lowest since 2020. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the province is preparing to launch the  immunization campaign on April 8, focusing on older adults, residents of long-term care facilities and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable, but anyone wanting the shot may call a pharmacy to ask about availability. MORE

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The former Howard Johnson Hotel is tumbling down as wrecking crews work to relegate it to history. Workers had stripped the interior since last year, taking out recyclable and hazardous materials. The hotel began as the Tally-Ho Hotel, built in the early 1960s serving as one of Nanaimo’s major hotels. It featured two pubs, a restaurant, pool and gym and was the go-to place for conferences to weddings. The Tally Ho‘s main pub was also one of Nanaimo’s busiest night clubs. MORE

UBC researchers have developed a handy way to detect date-rape drugs in alcoholic drinks, a stir stick that can detect the drugs in a matter of seconds.The single-use tool, called Spikeless, was created at the Faculty of Applied Science. Co-inventor Samin Yousefi it’s more discreet than existing alternatives, and doesn’t contaminate the drink. It was introduced in time for the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April.MORE

QUOTABLE – Governments are loaded with planners with great book learning but not common sense learning.

0327 – When you need a whole lotta bucks to upgrade your culinary equipment, VIU students are doing something about it, raising money by producing the largest Nanaimo bar ever. The students will try to break the record May 17 to make a Nanaimo bar weighing close to 500 kilograms – 21 metres long and 91 centimetres wide. The current record holders hail from Levack, Ont., is about half that with a 240kg bar made in 2020. MORE

What really happened at the infamous residential schools? Long-time Black Press journalist Tom Fletcher has a revealing interview with a former cop and B.C. public safety minister, about the claims of missing children and mysterious graves. It’s worth reading. MORE

Vancouver Island University president Deborah Saucier has resigned after pressure from students and faculty unions, effective April 4. Chief financial officer and vice-president of administration Emily Huner will serve as the acting president. Saucier has been the president and vice-chancellor for six years. MORE

Our MLAs have announced more than $1 million in funding for transportation projects from Cedar to Lantzville. A government news release on behalf of Sheila Malcolmson and George Anderson identified five projects.

• Nanaimo Crosswalk upgrade – $487,289.00

• Third Street widening including bike lanes and a sidewalk – $459,000

• Lantzville Trails and Journey ways strategy, New plan – $50,000

• Cedar Village safer transportation and infrastructure update – $50,000

• Snuneymuxw First Nation culturally reflective benches, shelters and water fountain locations. New plan. – $50,000

The Nanaimo Photography Club focuses on our community with slide shows featuring top scene captured by members. It’s a 30-minute slideshow featuring approximately 160 images taken by members of the Harbour City Photography Club. They appear on Rogers/Shaw throughout the week or you can find them on their YouTube channel HERE

It’s growing even thoughit has not been built yet. BC Housing is seeking a ten-unit increase to a 50-unit supportive housing units at 1030 Old Victoria Rd. If the latest re-zoning goes through it would mean 60 permanent housing units with supports in a different area of the same lot. MORE

QUOTABLE – Note to internet hackers – how about hacking in and deleting all my loans, mortgages and bad credit.

0326 –BC Ferries has added a bonus sailing from Tsawwassen to Departure Bay for the summer months. Beginning June 19 and running until September, the Queen of Alberni will sail to Departure Bay from Tsawwassen at 4:30 p.m. daily. The ship will then transit to Duke Point overnight to ply the Tsawwassen-to-Duke Point run. Bookings for this new route are now open on the BC Ferries website.

The cheque is in the mail. ICBC has started sending out $110 per person rebates. It’s for those who have had an active basic insurance policy as of January 2025. Eligible customers will get a letter from ICBC with information on their rebate amount and payment method. The rebates are expected to arrive in late April to late May, depending on the payment method.

April Fool's day is an appropriate day to say goodbye to the carbon tax for consumers. The province will table the legislation one day before that. That includes cancelling scheduled increases in the tax which was set to increase to $95 per tonne from $80 per tonne on April 1. Fossil fuel suppliers are being notified so they can stop collecting the tax on April 1. However, the industial carbon tax will still apply, filtering down to the public. MORE

The Independent Investigations Office has absolved two Nanaimo RCMP officers of wrongdoing in the case of a woman suffering a broken arm while being arrested last fall. She was arrested for causing a disturbance after a 911 caller reported that the woman was hitting her head against a window. The IIO concluded that the officers acted lawfully in detaining the woman until she was potentially charged or sober. MORE

QUOTABLE – Just a thought. Is Popeye’s chicken fried in Olive oil?

0325 – We’re in for a real spring break, temperatures are rising and the sun is making a comeback on the south coast. Environment Canada predicts the mercury climbing significantly with up to 18 C inland. The rain will end in the morning before giving way to a mix of sun and cloud. Environment Canada predicts a rainy Thursday and Friday, before a sunny weekend in the mid-teens. MORE

It was no big deal at Hudson’s Bay stores on Monday for shoppers expecting massive liquidation bargains. Shoppers had been told the sell-off would begin Monday but on arrival were told it would not be until today. Based on previous shutdowns of other retailers, prices start at near regular and dwindle as the sales continue. Prices don’t really drop until near the end of a sale when selection has been well picked over. The Bay sale is scheduled to wrap up June 15.

City council and staff are keeping a close eye on what they buy as the trade war with the U.S. ebbs and flows. Staff who manage working to soften the impact and are also trying to buy from Canadian suppliers. An analysis of 1,038 vendors shows the city directly buys from 13 U.S. vendors. Coun. Janice Perrino, asked if the city was stocking up on some supplies in anticipation as a way to get around tariffs or preparing to pre-order more materials than the city may already be doing. MORE

Nobody is talking after six passengers got sick in a stairwell on a B.C. Ferry in Swarts Bay on Saturday afternoon. Ferries says it has nothing to do with the incident Two were taken to hospital and four were treated on the ferry. RCMP and emergency health services did not say why they were called out. It resulted in a 55-minute delay for the sailing to the mainland, as the stairwell required cleaning before the ship departed. MORE

QUOTABLE – In hopes of offending no one, we say very little of value – University of West Virginia president Gordon Gee

0324 – What started as a massive marine rescue operation ended with four people safe on Snake Island around noon Sunday. Hullo Ferry launched its rescue boat and found four people had made it to Snake Island. Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue picked up the four and transported them to Nanaimo. The Queen of Alberni and Port of Nanaimo vessel also responded. MORE

Any gun-totin' ladies out there? You can become one. Join a free one-hour range orientation session for getting your firearms license. It’s April 2, 5-6 p.m. at the Nanaimo Fish & Game Club on Nanaimo Lakes Road. There will be a short introduction to what goes on at the range, what is involved in taking the one-day course for your license, and how to reserve a seat. You’ll also get an opportunity to shoot a gun under supervision and guidance. Contact Kim Goldberg to get all the details at goldberg@ncf.ca

A social media post states Dollarama in Port Place mall has removed all of its self checkout machines. They've had them for several years now. Don't be surprised this will catch on and spread elsewhere. They were not the boon to industry and labor-sheddding that they were billed as being.

Quote– The reason Donald Trump wants to annex Canada as another state is that deep down he really wants to be a Canadian.

0323 – Heavy rainfall is forecastfor the west coast of Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Environment Canada issued the warnings of prolonged heavy rain and rising freezing levels beginning last night. The downpour is expected during the day on Sunday, continuing into Monday before tapering off in the afternoon.The west coast of the Island can expect 90 to 130 mm, with Port Renfrew seeing the most precipitation. MORE

Peace Arch Parkon the Canadian-American border not so peace oriented these days. Both countries have increased enforcement on the border at the unfenced shared park which lies on the border south of Vancouver. People from both sides have been coming together for a century. Anyone going to the park is advised to have documents on them, especially visitors from third countries.

It’s a matter of timingto cash in on big bargoons when all 16 B.C. Hudson’s Bay stores begin the big liquidation sale on Monday. Don’t expect the big discounts right off the bat. Creditors want every last cent they can get, so discounts will start small, and shoppers will have to decide what their price point is. The longer you wait the fewer the choices will be. MORE

Mother Nature can providea kick in the teeth when she wants to. The Cameron Bluffs wildfire and the attendant Hwy 4 closure in 2023 cost the local economy in the range of $60 million. Port Alberni estimated $14.9 million in lost revenue for area businesses. On the Island’s west coast, Ucluelet lost some $14.5 million, while Tofino’s loss was estimated at $31.2 million. That has renewed talk about an alternate route. MORE

Among all the gloom and doom,there’s new life. A new-born orca calf has been located off Vancouver Island. The new baby was spotted by Tomis Filipovic of Eagle Wing Whale & Wildlife Tours on Thursday swimming alongside 14-year-old Sedna, just south of Smith Island. MORE

QUOTABLE– My wife asked me to take her to the type of restaurant where they make the food right in front of her, so I took her to Subway

0321 – The Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of the Uniform Gang Enforcement Team made numerous arrests in Nanaimo from March 5 – 8 as part of a three-day gang enforcement sweep seizing drugs, cash and weapons. Police seized large amounts of pre-packaged drugs, scales and cash. A driver was arrested at a traffic stop near Townsite Road and Millstone Avenue where police seized a large bag of drugs and cash. Another traffic stop on Nicol Street turned up a driver who had an active warrant out and was taken into custody. MORE

Former corporate officer Matthew Dowis suing the Gabriola Fire department for bullying, a hostile work environment and improper payments. The suit in BC Supreme Court in Nanaimo, names board chairman Paul Giffin, Fire Chief Will Sprogis and a third, unnamed individual. The suit claims Sprogis, Giffin and the third person fostered a culture of intimidation and hostility through bullying, threats and intimidation, while also misappropriating taxpayer money. MORE

A great big salute Nanaimo’s Ron Greenhornwho captured bronze at the 2025 Special Olympics World Games in Italy last week. Ron competed in several adaptive skiing events, earning the medal in the Intermediate Giant Slalom with a time of 1:23.5. The 40-year-old also competed in the Intermediate Slalom, finishing fourth, and the Super G where he placed seventh. MORE

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL– The first election promise hit the gravy train on Thursday when Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to scrap the GST for some first-time homebuyers. It matches a similar promise made by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre last fall. Housing has become a key issue, particularly for young voters. MORE

Alberta Premier Danielle Smithgave Carney an earful about wildfires and oil sales. Smith gave him a list of demands the next prime minister must address within the first six months. Smith said she made it clear that Alberta will no longer tolerate the way it has been treated over the past 10 years under Justin Trudeau. MORE

QUOTABLE– I saw a seniors dating club ad the other day. It was called carbon dating.

0320 – I hope you are enjoying the first day of spring.

The best April Fool prank to date is a range of price increases on B.C. Ferries on April 1. That’s in line with its 3.2 per cent system-wide annual increase approved by the Ferries Commissioner. Fares, food prices and parking fees are all going up. Drive-up adult ticket fares are going up 90 cents while standard vehicle prices are going up $7.60 along major routes. there’s no increase for Prepaid, Saver or Reservation-only fares. Minor routes will see hikes of 25 to 50 cents for adult passengers, and 70 cents to $2 for a standard vehicle. The 3.5-per-cent food price increase will at about 90 cents for a BC Burger combo. No-show fees for Saver and Prepaid fares are going up to $10 from $5. MORE

The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival is back full steam ahead. The races return for a full two days after being cut back last year. The fundraiser for breast cancer research, awareness and treatment is back at Maffeo Sutton Park on July 12-13. The Crimson Coast Dance Society's Infringing Dance Festival will take place during the dragon boat festival. More information HERE.

The Regional District is on board with the idea of hourly transit service between Nanaimo and Victoria. RDN directors support co-signing a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and B.C. Transit supporting expanded service. The letter asks for a plan and funding to allow for hourly service from 6 a.m. to midnight for routes from Victoria to Cowichan Valley and Cowichan Valley to Nanaimo, with fares no more than $5. It is hoped that the connection would be implemented this year. MORE

Canoe and kayak enthusiasts got the reality of diminished expectations when the city’s finance committee reduced the scale of wanted improvements to the Long Lake Loudon Park facility. Councillors limited improvements to $6.5 million following a staff recommendation of more than $10.8 million. MORE

If nothing else, the trade war with the United States has turned into good news for Loaves and Fishes food bank which is getting a bonanza of U.S. produced food which grocery stores are unable to sell, even at reduced prices. Dan Van Domsellar of the food bank said it’s mushrooms, peppers, kiwis, lots of oranges, lots of stuff coming from California. The food bank serves 10,000 clients a month. MORE

The BC Labour Relations Board has certified 29 volunteer members of the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department to join CUPE Local 606 in Nanaimo. CUPE represents more than 750,000 members nationwide, including provincial ambulance paramedics and 911 call takers. MORE

What we’ve all been waiting for, faux Prime Minister Mark Carney is expected to call a federal election on Sunday for an election as soon as April 28. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament in January and it is supposed to return on March 24. But Carney is expected to ask Gov. Gen. Mary Simon to dissolve Parliament the day before. MORE

A final decision is expected on Friday on the fate of the Husdon's Bay Company. The company filed for creditor protection earlier this month. The company got a second extension Wednesday to its liquidation plan that could result in a full liquidation or its ability to keep some stores afloat. MORE

QUOTABLE – The biggest joke on mankind is that computers are now asking humans to prove they are not robots.

0319 - One of the longest-living veterans of the second world war was honored in a memorial service Sunday at Branch 256 Legion. Victor Osborne who died on Feb. 1 at the age of 106 was the last-known living crew member of the HMS Hood. Osborne was born on Nov. 11, 1918, the end day the first world waar ended. MORE

A question of freedom on the press put on hold final adoption of amendments to deal with inappropriate behaviour, use of electronic devices and signs in council meetings. It has been shelved for further study. Coun. Hilary Eastmure asked for extra time to determine whether the portion of the bylaw restricting use of recording devices in council by media could violate the freedom of the press under Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Coun. Paul Manly served notice of motion to include a certification process for accreditation permitting electronic devices by media “for journalistic purposes.” MORE

Residential building continues apace in Nanaimo. Two more buildings are on the drawing board for north Nanaimo. One is a four-storey apartment building and a six-storey mixed-use building, adding a total of 106 housing units. The proposal is on the corner of Turner Road and Linley Valley Drive. The projects are proposals at this stage and have to go through numerous hoops before they become reality. MORE

Heading downtown remains a pain in the neck. The Bastion-Commercial intersection will remain closed to vehicles for some time yet as part of the Commercial Street renewal. Project manager James Knight anticipates the intersection re-opening in early June.

He said leaving it closed allows taking advantage of favourable weather, availability of sub-contractors, and also to move materials and personnel. MORE

The Coastal Fire Centre is not wasting any time getting ready for the summer months ahead. Training has begun for the Centre’s full-time staff, along with the first round of recalls. Information officer Julia Caranci said there will be several recalls over the next couple of months. By May they will have about 280 firefighters and support personnel. Final training and preparation includes physical assessments, courses and recertification. The fire centre responded to 158 wildfires to date in the season which ends March 31. MORE

A Rogers Communications cell tower in the north end is facing one more hoop before it goes ahead. The 31-metre-tall monopole tower is planned next to Mary Ellen Drive between Shoppers Drug Mart and the Island Hwy. Brian Gregg of SitePath Consulting said this tower has been in the works for several years. Finding a location has been a stumbling block. Rogers said about 80 per cent of 911 calls come from cell phones. MORE

QUOTABLE – I got my shot for shingles today and just to be safe I also got one for vinyl siding.

0318 – Some numb brains are targeting Tesla EV chargers – two charging stations were set on fire at Woodgrove Centre over the weekend. Nanaimo Fire Rescue loss prevention officer Alan Millbank said other charging stations had been vandalized at the same time. MORE

You’ll pay more for electricity for the next two years, thanks to a 3.75 per cent annual rate increase. Energy Minister Adrian Dix attributed it to rising demand and economic uncertainty. The government is submitting a rate stability direction to the B.C. Utilities Commission for approval of the rate increase. That still makes the cost of power among the lowest in North America. BC Hydro needs the increases due to rising demand and to complete the Site C dam. MORE

As I keep repeating, there is no free ride. With the hated carbon tax about to disappear the B.C. government’s revenue flow will have a big hole in it. That has to be made up in some other way. One thing is sure, you and I will pay more to make up the shortage. The province will bring in legislation before March 31 to end or replace the consumer level of the tax which was forecast to generate about $2.8 billion with about $1 billion of that being rebated to consumers. MORE

Haven Society is operating 30 second-stage and 17 transition beds in Nanaimo for women and children at risk of violence. "Ensuring women and children leaving violence have access to secure and affordable housing is crucial to keeping them safe and supported as they take their next steps," said Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon. Creating nearly 230 new spaces across the province is a fresh start, said Kahlon.

QUOTABLE – None of your problems are because someone else is a millionaire.

0317 –  It’s down to serious business for the Salvation Army’s new building on Nichol Street. Ground was broken last week on the four-storey building will replace the old Salvation Army Red Shield Centre, built in the late 1890s and torn down more than a year ago. Executive Director Vern Muller said a lot of work was done here over the years and a lot of people have been impacted in big ways. He said they are looking forward to a time to continue that significant impact moving forward.” MORE

The school board will spend $250,000 on exterior walls of NDSS this year even though it flies against their better instincts. The Education Ministry grants money to maintain and repair school facilities. Our district expects more than $3.5 million for 2025-26. The  stucco finish has lost its adhesion and needs to be replaced due to the building's age, said Gillian Robinson. Stucco will be removed and an alternative product will be applied this summer. In total the district will spend more than $790,000 on replacing roofs and close to $800,000 on mechanical system improvements. MORE

QUOTABLE – The reason facts don’t change most people’s opinions is because most people don’t use facts to form their opinions. They use their own opinions to form their own facts.

The rent is over due

0316 – Woodgrove and Victoria’s Mayfair shopping centres are owed $861,085 by Hudson’s Bay which is likely to shut down as early as this week after applying for creditor protection. The filing shows the company has $3 million on hand, but $95 million in debt. A number of other Island businesses are owed smaller amounts under $50,000 each. MORE

You might be able to assuage your taste for American booze by going to private liquor stores. I don’t know whether local private stores have any stock remaining but it’s worth a try if that your tantalizes you palate. Government liquor stores pulled all American alcohol from the shelves in response the ongoing trade war. Some private liquor stores say they’re seeing a rush of customers as they sell existing stock. MORE

QUOTABLE – Figure out why pizza is made round, packed in a square box and eaten as a triangle, only then will you be able to understand politics.

0315

Forecasting the weather for the weekend is always easy, it's going to rain.

British Columbians are waiting with baited breath for news about when the carbon dioxide tax will be permanently put to rest. We may not see the full benefit as it applies only to the consumer portion of the tax. Big polluting industry will still be hit. Premier David Eby vows to do the same thing but legislation is required and it’s not known when that will be. We should expect a drop of close to 20 cents a litre at the gas pumps, but this is where the shell game begins. Oil companies are big polluters so the new tax grab may simply be shifted to the retail pump price by the oil companies. You can’t win.

Hudson’s Bay could be shutting down all operations as early as next week, wrapping up in June. A closure of the entire business, which is planned pending a court appearance on Monday, would mean job losses for 9,364 employees the company has in Canada. Despite that bleak picture, the company remains optimistic it can find capital and solutions with its landlord partners, to avoid a full shutdown. Hudson’s Bay is the oldest retail store in North America, dating back to 1670. MORE

Nanaimo Special Olympic basketball players’ hard work has paid off with a big tournament win recently. Ten players and four coaches from the Nanaimo Timberwolves participated in the North Shore March Madness basketball tournament taking home first place in their division. Point guard Alex Rogers was the tournament MVP. Check out their great story HERE.

Still on a sports note, the Tier-2 BC Hockey Championships are on this weekend at the Nanaimo Ice Centre with seven teams coming to town. Putting on something this big is no pleasure skate. Matt Hughes, director of operations for Nanaimo Minor Hockey, says it’s a big challenge, involving many volunteers and parents. It provides amazing opportunities for players. The tournament open the gate for Island teams to compete at the provincial level. MORE

QUOTABLE – The invention of the shovel was ground breaking.

0314 –

The maple leaf, our emblem dear. Patriotism is riding high with Canadian flags waving in the breeze at Maffeo Sutton Park. It’s a colorful response to Donald Trump who wants to make us another Ukraine by taking over our country. The International Folk Festival Society usually flies the flags of members’ countries during the summer, so hoisting the maple leaf was the natural thing to do. MORE

If there’s such a thing as good news in the drug plague, Nanaimo had only two overdose deaths in January, a huge drop from previous years. Nanaimo’s average number of fatalities per month was between eight and 10. The rest of central Vancouver Island had eight fatalities, down from 21 in January 2024. Fraser Health and Interior Health both increased, while Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria had the highest number of fatalities. MORE

They asked for it. After two years with a zero property tax increase Lantzville is instituting a a three-per-cent hike. That will result in about  $93,000 put into reserves.  That’s on top of a three-per-cent hike in water rates and 6.9-per-cent increase in sewer rates.

0313 – 

A security guard may have thwarted a robbery at the Country Grocer store on Bowen Road Wednesday evening. Initial reports stated a gun was brandished.R/Cst. Gary O’Brien said two people ran from the store, but stayed in and adjacent parking lot where they were arrested at gunpoint. RCMP not find a firearm and the Police Dog Service was called in but did not find a firearm. MORE

Be aware when it comes to safety in bars. Bar owners, RCMP and Crime Stoppers warn patrons protect themselves against spiked drinks. It comes on the heels of several reports of drinks being spiked or tampered with in recent months from people who said after consuming a beverage they immediately felt unwell and had difficulty breathing or became nauseous and light headed and had to seek medical attention. MORE

More weaving and bobbing. Health Minister Josie Osborne says new guidance on involuntary treatment is not intended to round up more people and treat them against their will. Dr. Daniel Vigo, Premier David Eby’s top advisor, concluded that the government does not need new legislation, instead issuing guidance to health authorities about how to apply the existing Mental Health Act. Osborne made it clear this is not about making it easier to apprehend people, it’s about correctly identifying people who will benefit from involuntary treatment. MORE

Quote - It's easy to change $20 into $200. Simply put it in your gas tank and go find a job.

0312 –

Nanaimo consumers appear to be sold on the idea of buying Canadian products. Mayor Leonard Krog has endorsed the Buy Canadian concept of buying items made in Canada. "It is a real movement, and it is serious and it's being reported on across the country," Krog told the News Bulletin. "It's there and people are doing it. I expected a vigorous response, but the response has been much more vigorous than even I expected and I'm an eternal optimist about this country." MORE

There’s more to fishing than the salt chuck. Rainbow trout are being introduced into lakes across the mid Island this week. Diver, Green and Brannen lakes got about 4,000 rainbow trout this month, while nearly 5,500 will be added to Long and Westwood lakes. MORE

Hey, have you filed your Speculation And Vacancy Tax declaration to claim your exemption. They’re due March 31 and you can do it online. Every homeowner in the locations where this tax is imposed has to fill it out every year or you will be taxed.

There’s still a heart beat, if ever so weak, for the Nanaimo hospital patient tower despite not being in the budget. The province assures that the work is still taking place. Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma met with the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District board president last week, assuring that the project will continue over the course of this four-year mandate of the government. There are a lot of bureaucratic hurdles still to overcome before it goes into a future budget. MORE

QUOTABLE– Wisdom has been chasing you, but sadly you have always been faster

0311 –

The Telegraph Cove Resort rebuild is set to begin, lasting through the summer. Resort owner Gordie Graham said everyone understands how important it is to get the place built back up again. The major fire erupted near the east end of the boardwalk on Dec. 31, destroying the pub, restaurant, Tours office, Prince of Whales office and the Whale Interpretive Centre. MORE

Bottoms up! Booze consumption by British Columbians has gone down since the pandemic. The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research shows per-capita sales across the province in 2023/24 were equivalent to 469 standard drinks per person over the age of 15, nearly 15 per cent lower than in 2020/21, the number was 554 drinks per person. MORE

QUOTABLE – For the elderly, a sound night's sleep is the snooze between pee breaks.

0310 –

Hudson’s Bay may close half of its stores as it works to stay alive. The department store company is looking at closing about 40 of its 80 stores. The number that will close will be decided as creditor protection proceedings wind their way through the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in the coming weeks. MORE

All U.S. alcoholic beverages will be removed from B.C. liquor stores. After taking drinks from Republican states off the shelves, Premier David Eby has now banned all drinks. Eby said additional U.S. tariffs have been placed on the dairy industry and an investigation into lumber has raised possible higher tariffs and President Trump threatening to redraw our borders and pursue Canadian water. MORE

A man who viciously assaulted a mall security guard has been sentenced to five months in jail followed by two years probation. David Richard Patrick, 39, pleased guilty to three events in Nanaimo and Campbell River. Patrick severely assaulted a security guard at University Village Shopping Centre. on Jan. 12, 2022. MORE

Canada is sending $272.1 million in foreign aid for projects in Bangladesh and other the Indo-Pacific countries. The funding will focus on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health and rights for women and girls, inclusive education and skills training. And, of course, climate change is included. The U.S. recently halted all such funding through the United States Agency for International Development. MORE

QUOTABLE – Keep smiling, it drives others crazy trying to figure out what you’re up to.

Hudson's Bay seeks creditor protection

0309 –

One by one our retail icons are falling. Canada’s oldest retailer, Hudson’s Bay, has filed for creditor protection and intends to restructure the business. The company is exploring options to strengthen its business. They won’t make promises but is committed to preserving jobs where possible. The company has 80 Hudson’s Bay locations that sell everything from apparel to housewares, cosmetics and furniture. MORE

There’s nothing better than the most challenging conditions when you train to join Nanaimo Search and Rescue. Ten trainees are braving the perfect conditions beginning Saturday for a 24-hour field challenge. SAR president Carly Trobridge said it demonstrates the grit, determination and the skills that they’ve developed, and they get to put it to use and spend 24 hours in the field. The training is being overseen by 20 Nanaimo SAR members. MORE

Nanaimo’s Olympic hammer throw champion Ethan Katzberg was named Senior Male Athlete of the Year at Sport BC's 57th Awards. Katzberg's coach Dylan Armstrong was also recognized by Sport B.C., taking home the Male Coach of the Year award. MORE

The tax season is upon us and that brings out the scum trying to take advantage of you. Canada Revenue Agency says scammers try to get confidential information during tax season when you expect to be contacted. Lisa Ko of CRA, recommends being alert for calls asking people to pay taxes through prepaid credit or gift cards, or getting a text or email containing a link to claim your refund. CRA does not operate that way, if you’ve got a refund coming they’ll mail it to you, no tricky scams. MORE

QUOTABLE – Just before I die I’m going to swallow a bag of popcorn kernels. My cremation is going to be epic

Major rain storm on the way

0308

Environment Canada has issued rain warnings for this weekend with heavy downpours beginning late Friday night. It will lessen off Sunday afternoon as it pushes southeast and weakens. It will dry out on Monday, but that’s not expected to last with more on the way. Meteorologist Colin Fong says we can expect pretty much an active wet pattern through next week. MORE

The federal Liberal Party will select a new leader and next prime minister on Sunday. Justin Trudeau will step down in the days shortly after that. He will tender his resignation to the governor general who will then appoint a new prime minister. Here’s a look at what comes next. HERE

Oh what a mess. We may have a new political party in the making after more than one MLA quit the Conservative caucus this week. It all started after leader John Rustad kicked out one MLA over the residential schools issue and at least two others quit the party. MORE

The non-profit sector is big business, directly and indirectly contributing about $64 million to Nanaimo's gross domestic product in 2023. An economic impact study by Nordicity, underscores the economic, social and environmental impacts generated from local non-profits, as well as strategies to further strengthen the sector. Chamber of Commerce vice president Janice Krall says a lot of people and a lot of communities don'thave anything formal on the impact of their non-profit sector, and it's quite significant. MORE

Drug deaths among homeless people rose sharply in 2023 with at least 458 deaths. That’s a huge 23-per-cent jump from 2022, nearly three times the number in 2020. Between 2016 and 2023, 1,940 deaths were reported to the BC Coroners Service. More than half of deaths in 2023 were between the ages of 30 and 49, and 79 per cent were male. The Island Health region saw the largest increase in deaths, rising 114 in 2023. FULL REPORT

It's going to be a lot easier to travel to the U.S. if you can afford it. The federal government will soon provide a 30-business-day guarantee for passports. Either you have it in 30 business days or it’s free. Our old friend, Citizens’ Services Minister Terry Beech, says that change is coming this year, along with an online renewal option that will launch in the summer. MORE

Vancouver Island University has budgetary problems but the students union belives it has the answer – fire President Deborah Saucier. The Students' Union released a message citing what they called severe financial mismanagement, failed capital projects, and a leadership approach that has isolated students, faculty, and staff from decision-making. VIU has been dealing with deficits recently – $9 million for 2024/25. The university has tried to reduce expenditures by another $18 million. MORE

QUOTABLE – That latest invention is a Seniors GPS which not only tells me my destination but also why I want to go there. – 0306

Health care promises not in budget

0306 –

Beware politicians bearing gifts. Tuesday’s provincial budget was a huge kick in the head for Nanaimo’s health care community. A catheterization lab and a patient tower at NRGH were not funded in the budget despite being promised in last fall’s provincial election. Donna Hais, Chair of the Fair Care Alliance, said they are extremely disappointed that promises made were not addressed in any way in the budget. It shows short-sightedness moving forward, she said. MORE

Every once in a while you come across a real head scratcher. City council is looking at prohibiting the sale of invasive species, like Scotch broom and daphne. The question should be why has that been allowed until now?  Coun. Hilary Eastmure said in Colliery Dam Park you'll see the trees being choked by ivy and the forest floor covered in daphne. Those are both items that are for sale at garden centres. MORE

Snuneymuxw is hitting the road with its own transportation company to serve the Vancouver Island supply chain. Sarlequun Transport will haul general freight, forestry, construction and mining industries, offering export and import from the Island to the world, with transportation, documentation and logistics, under the Snuneymuxw economic development arm, Petroglyph Development Group. It has a 2.83-hectare property on Maughan Road with trucks, forklifts and a warehouse. MORE

Chantal Suzanne Lemay, 28, was given a conditional discharge by Judge Brian Harvey after pleading guilty to threatening MP Lisa Marie Barron last year. Frustration with Barron’s response to the conflict in the Gaza Strip led to her drastic action. “You are horrifyingly disgusting and an absolute disgrace to the entire Canadian population. I hope you choke,” Lemay wrote in an email. “Assassinations will come for you and all you world f***ing leaders. Count your days, World War 3 is about to begin and you are one of the first f***ing targets.” MORE

QUOTABLE – Every time I think I have my ducks in a row, some of those little fluffies wander off

Snuneymuxw vote to settle land dispute

0305

The long-running land claim may soon be settled after Snuneymuxw First Nation members voted to accept a $42-million offer from the federal government. The vote was almost unanimous with 99.5 members voting in favor. Snuneymuxw has sought a settlement for more than 20 years. MORE

The city is on track to hit its target for new housing. Planning director Jeremy Holm reported the city approved development permits for 582 units during the second half of 2024. He said the city is achieving the first year' target of 782 units. Interest rates, tariffs, supply chain challenges, the labour market, and other factors  affect developers going ahead with projects, he said. MORE

The Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s success is getting better by the year, posting its best financial results. The City gives the centre close to a $1 million budget and the centre refunds money left over. Oak View Group refunded nearly $310,000, nearly $50,000 better than last year. The facility hosted  40 conventions and nearly 30,000 delegate days in 2024. The economic impact on the community is at more than $11 million. MORE

District Developments Corp. proposes an 80-unit townhouse development off Lost Lake Road. Lost Lake Hills, on the four-hectare steep-slope property on Tanya Drive, south of Lost Lake Road will have 20 townhouse-style fourplexes, with a mix of 32 one-bedroom, 570 to 592 square feet; 40, two-bedroom, 850 sq. ft.; and eight three-bedroom, 1,012 sq ft. MORE

Highway 4 near Angel Rock will be closed on Thursday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. to clean up a rockslide on Feb. 26. The debris was intercepted by the rock-fall mitigation barrier and fencing, but the catchment that trapped the debris needs to be repaired. The highway will reopen when the work is complete. No further closures are planned. MORE

QUOTABLE – Everyone agrees with free speech until they hear something they don’t like.

0304 –

How much would you like to pay? 

Lantzville residents are okay with a two- or three-per-cent tax increase. That came out in a survey conducted by the village – 63-per-cent want some increase after the village brought in a no-increase budget. 44 per cent favoured three per cent and 19 per cent supported two per cent and one third wanted the no-increase option. MORE

Fire fighting crews central island fire departments will engage in a day of specialized engine boss wildfire urban interface training. The training on Saturday is part of a provincial program to train municipal and regional firefighters on skills and knowledge needed to be an engine boss. That role leads a single fire engine and attached personnel, responsible for crew safety on wildland urban interface fires. That includes reporting to and co-ordinating with upper command levels and firefighting units at a wildfire. MORE

Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools are conducting a program to boost the number of education assistants in the district, and how to recruit and retain staff. The mentorship program will offer up to 25 people the chance to learn the ins and outs of being education assistants  for classroom support, including students with development disabilities. Recruitment is a long-standing problem, said Kerri Steel, director for instruction and inclusive education for elementary. 12. MORE

QUOTABLE – For my age I have a lot going for me. My eyes are going, my knees are going, my back is going.

The theme for the 2025 Street Banner Design Program is ‘Metamorphosis And Change’ and Nanaimo artist Aiym Samay-Sampson’s unique design was chosen for its creative take on transformation. Artists were asked to consider themes of metamorphosis, change and transformation in the world around us, and Samay-Sampson’s design reflects the idea of change with the image of a butterfly in an abstract, fragmented form. Vibrant shapes come together. FULL STORY

0302

Switching chairs. Coun. Janice Perrino is the new head of the regional district hospital board, switching roles with Coun. Ian Thorpe who becomes the vice chairman. Perrino is the former CEO of the Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation. The board is taxpayer-funded to oversee funding for capital facilities, equipment and and. It’s funded minor capital grants, major capital project support as well as municipal tax levies from Nanaimo, Lantzville, Parksville and Qualicum Beach. MORE

Deena Beeston will be the new Mayor of Ladysmith after she handily won Saturday’s byelection. The former health care and social services worker got 854 votes in the race to replace former Mayor Aaron Stone who resigned to take a job in Victoria. Preliminary results showed a 22.93 per cent voter turnout. MORE

The school board is looking ahead by projecting an additional 236 students in the next school year. Those are the figures submitted to the education ministry in February to form the basis for budgeting. Staff said elementary student numbers remain relatively flat, but a number of Grade 7 students will move up to high schools, and coupled with a small number of graduating students, translate into an increase in enrolment for Grades 8-12. Secretary-Treasurer Mark Walsh said the number is far from final, with much that could change. MORE

Somebody may have a well-dressed girl friend after a mannequin named Guava Girl was stolen in a smash-and-grab last week at Guava Apparel downtown. It was the second smashed window at the store in a month and a half, and the ninth since the store opened there in 2019. The loss was $1,800 for the window, $400 for the mannequin and $265 for the dress Guava Girl was wearing. MORE

QUOTABLE – How come there’s enough asphalt for speed bumps but not enough to fill potholes?

0301 – Construction continues unabated in our area with three more projects. A 116-unit affordable housing complex has been approved on four lots on Prideaux Street near Comox Road. Another residential-commercial development is coming to the north end. It will be an 86-unit multi-family building and a separate commercial building at the intersection of Uplands and Turner Road. Construction has begun on a three-storey mixed-use development in Lantzville. Coastline Station will have residential on the top two floors and commercial on the bottom.

Smile, you are not on candid camera. City Council has banned independent video or audio recordings in council chambers. Homemade signs are also verboten. Council supported the staff recommendation 7-2. Mayor Leonard Krog said there have been incidents where there’s been disruptive behaviour. He said meeting videos are already posted on the city’s website. Couns Hillary Eastmure and Sheryl Armstrong opposed the ban.

The city will flush drinking water mains in select areas. You may see short periods of low pressure and water may be discoloured. Discolouration is temporary and is not a health hazard. Water Main Flushing

Aiming high. City council has approved an 11-metre height increase for the new cancer centre. That allows for the building to be 25 metres high. Mayor Leonard Krog said the city has been waiting for a long time and it’s a great step forward. MORE

Buckle up and stash the cell phone or you'll pay. Police are cracking down province wide on distracted drivers and seat belts and won’t hesitate to write you a ticket during the campaign. Distracted driving has become almost even with impaired driving for the number of fatal collisions in the province every year. The month-long campaign will be education through enforcement, says BC Highway Patrol’s Cpl Michael McLaughlin. MORE

0228 – Utter garbage is what the Nanaimo Community Hospice Thrift Store is having to put up with as people continue to dump junk on their doorstep. The end-of-life care society continues to get that at their thrift shop on Bowen Road and it costs a lot of charity money each time.Thrift Shop manager Tiffany Lang says volunteers work hard to raise that money. MORE

Let’s hear it for the Wellington Secondary School’s jazz program after students tuned in a list of honours at one of the longest-running jazz festivals in Canada in Surrey Feb 21 and 22. Director Camella Luvisotto said her students performed exceptionally well with 1,500 competitors from 40 secondary schools. Five students excelled in the Saturday evening showcase event. Take a look at the individual winners HERE.

Come rain or shine, more than 150 people are expected to bare all at the naked bungy jump this weekend. It’s all in the name of raising funds for Mental Health Recovery Partners. It’s the 19th annual jump and goes Saturday and Sunday at WildPlay south of Nanaimo. MORE

QUOTABLE – We were all born ignorant, but some people work hard to stay that way

Social media has changed how we think, react and interact

People who never participated in local politics before now take part and that has opened a wild west of views.

You can never have too many opinions – everyone has the right to be wrong. The City of Nanaimo (CON) Oversight Society page on Facebook more or less grew out of the Alternative Approval Process for a new public works facility and they picked up a lot of followers. Many of them are green as grass when it comes to governance and debate. Some of the postings are outright hate based on ignorance. (That word means lack of knowledge)

The Page was designed to take on city council and it has done that. Had they not been around the AAP would likely not have failed twice.

The site continues to post, focusing on council decisions like bike lanes and undriveable streets like an obsession. They are opinions on city hall operations.

Here’s where the pitfall comes in. Many people are unable to view an opinion without spewing hate. They can’t focus on the issue rather than using insults.

Lack of understanding the process is vividly demonstrated in how Mayor Leonard Krog has become the target of personality debate. By understanding, I mean they don’t seem to understand that city council is made up of nine members – eight councillors and the mayor. Council members have forever allied themselves with like-thinking councillors, thus forming voting blocks.

I followed city council closely for decades starting in the early 1980s. The two factions were identifiable then as Social Credit and New Democrat – resulting in countless 5-4 decisions. That changed from election to election. 

Today’s council is composed of five members in a group and the other four sort of freelancing. It can be like herding cats, and that’s the mayor’s job. When a majority decision is reached by council, that’s the official stance and the mayor has to champion it no matter where he/she personally stands on any of those issues.

Krog is not part of the five-member majority group of progressives, leaving him in an unenviable position. On many issues it’s him and the other three – Armstrong, Thorpe and Perrino. But once the decision is made by a majority, it’s Krog’s role to represent that cause even though it may not be his personal choice. Some unruly protesters at council meetings fail to understand the rules of proper procedure.

I’ve tried to explain that to a number of social media voices but they seem stuck in the fact that their mind is made up and don’t want to be confused by the facts. There is a positive here, they are participating and should have a greater educated interest when the next election rolls around in about a year and a half.

So keep the ball rolling, stay informed and involved in what’s going on in our city and hold those in power to account until you are elected to replace them. Maybe then they’ll understand what it’s like to be a councillor. – 0329

Something does not pass the smell test for Conservatives

The basics of democracy is that everyone has to opportunity participate, and the people decide. That’s how it should be, but the Conservative party decided to forego the usual candidate nomination process and hand pick at least two candidates in B.C. That included former B.C. cabinet minster Mike de Jong, with 30 years in the Legislature, and one candidate on Vancouver Island who had worked hard and long to drum up support.

The provincial Conservatives may have had an excuse in that they were a virtually newcomer with no big election machine in place. That’s not the story with the Poilievre Conservatives, they’ve been around forever and should know better.

Nothing would be more just to the Conservative than if de Jong was a winner and they had to count on him on whether to form government or remain in opposition. Remember, Rustad came oh so close to pulling it off. It can boil down to one seat. – 0328

We appear to be crossing the wrong bridges

It’s great when our community benefits from government projects, but you have to ask how vital those projects should be. Crosswalks and decorated bus benches are great, but how vital are they? Everyone once in a while we should ask ourselves, crosswalks or hospital emergency rooms open on weekends? 0328

NDP gasping for air as their support shifts to the Liberals

0326 – The federal New Democrats appear to be spiraling into oblivion as voters blinded a shiny new bauble flee to Mark Carney and the Liberals.

Polls are not necessarily accurate but reflect a general over view on the election. An Angus Reid poll on Tuesday showed leader Jagmeet Singh and his NDP at only six per cent, losing much of their voter support to the Liberals. Singh is in danger of losing his own riding of Burnaby Central.

A new Leger poll suggests that 44 per cent of decided voters will vote Liberal, ahead of the Conservatives at 38 per cent. The poll had the NDP at six per cent.

Carney has surged to the top based a lot on the fact that he does not have an elected track record, he comes in with a clean slate even though he was Justin Trudeau’s top advisor for the past five years and represents more of the same. His business connections and World Economic Forum ties do not appear to have caught the attention of voters. There’s nothing but bad reviews from Great Britain where Carney was the head of the Bank of England.

The election has turned into a two-way race with the Liberals now appearing headed for a majority win, surging ahead of the Conservatives. With about four weeks left a lot can happen as voters weigh the campaigns a they decide what’s best of their own interests.

That’s what elections boil down to, what’s best for me.

Are we flucked again on the carbon tax?

It’s amazing how gasoline prices are fluctuating in the past few days just ahead of the demise of the carbon tax on April 1. Are we going to be lucky to just get back to recent regular prices? Is our tax cut going to wind up in the pockets of the oil companies?

When politicians offer tax cuts they really mean tax shifts. They can’t cut their tax revenue, they only disguise it as something else as they dip into our pockets. Like the carbon tax for instance. It’s coming off for consumers but they’ll end up paying more through the industrial carbon price as they are now calling it. Let’s hope they have as much dedication to tax cuts after the election. 0327

Another kick in the butt from governments

I did some appliance shopping and was surprised that manufacturers are already boosting prices considerably even though no tariffs yet exist.

Keep in mind that these tariffs would be levied by the Canadian government in retaliation for possible future U.S. tariffs. That’s what Canadians are going to have to pay, another kick in the butt from our own governments. 0326

Make sure it's really

'Made in Canada'

There used to be a jingle to "always look for the union label. All the trade war talk has many Canadians more diligent, looking for Made in Canada labels. While that’s a good start, they have to be alert to what constitutes Canadian products.

There used to be claims that you could tell by the bar code but that proved unreliable when it did not clarify “product origin”.

Many product labels mislead by stating “packaged in Canada”, notably in food products. There’s also another copout, claiming “produced for” name of a Canadian company.

Buying Canadian products is always a good idea but be careful you don’t get labelled as gullible. 0325

Trump a major player

in our federal election

0323 – The election campaign is under way and it’s not going as expected. We have three main leaders in the fight – Mark Carney, Pierre Poilievre and Donald Trump. Yes, Donald Trump. Carney and Poilievre are making Trump a top issue in the campaign, one could say taking the focus off the real needs and asperations of Canadians. Trade wars and bombast can do that.

I have been hooked on politics and elections most of my life, but it’s difficult to get in gear for this one. There’s just too much hate and lying by voters, social media idiots, special interest groups and politicians themselves. We could all use a good BS Detection meter.

We’re living in a sick society with no reasoned debate possible. Polls are a large contributing factor. We’ve got a poll for everything, and the results are always favoring those who paid for them. That says a lot about polls.

I love an old John Diefenbaker quote that “we know what dogs do to poles.” 

The polls are what a lot of people use to defend their stance, picking the ones that suit their agenda. So far in this campaign we have polls showing the Liberals winning a majority, the Conservatives winning a majority, another minority with a splinter in the middle, likely the Bloc Quebecois. Jagmeet Singh is out of sight in the distance.

Those polls can ignite dangerous rhetoric and actions. One of our readers in Nanaimo, who owns a Tesla, says she’s been spat on and threatened and doesn’t feel safe going out any more.

If you ask the vandals and home-based terrorists what their excuse is, a very large majority would not have any idea why they should hate Tesla and Elon Musk. His role is to root out government excess and fraud in the U.S. That’s a bad thing?

We’re dealing with mental instability and delusion with a generation of entitlement. New research at Simon Fraser University links delusional disorders to high levels of social media use.

Their review of academic literature on social media and psychiatric disorders showed that social media platforms create environments where people can maintain a delusional sense of self identity without scrutiny, and that social media enables self-presentation in self-promoting but inaccurate ways.

That's who could determine who governs us.  MORE

www.338Canada.ca, March 22

THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL– Promises are flying left, right and centre as the April 28 federal election campaign grinds into high gear. Here's a taste of what was on the major media outlets. The NDP are surprisingly absent on those sites.

LIBERALS – The government has been working overtime with a flood of announcements in recent days. Carney reached an agreement with premiers to develop a national trade corridor to move energy and critical minerals.

All eligible Canadians will be able to apply for the dental care program which was launched last December of seniors and expanded in phases to cover children and people with disabilities. The program came from and agreement between the Liberals and the NDP.

Funding will be continued through 2026 for Jordan’s Principle, to ensure First Nations children have equal access to government-funded services.

CONSERVATIVES – The Conservative have pledged a boost in training and employment for workers in the skilled trades.

Conservatives have promised pre-approved construction permits for major resource or energy projects.

Poilievre has repeated his promise to cut the GST on new home purchases.

Global TV has a running score of promises to date so you can keep track as the campaign wears on. Promises

Good news among

bad in trade war

0322 – If it’s true that every negative also has a positive there are two sides to trade tariffs, good and bad.

China has put a 100-per-cent tariff on seafoods from Canada, in retaliation for us putting a tariff on electric vehicles from China. The Canadian tariff should translate into more EVs being built in Canada, boosting our economy through newly-created jobs.

However, the seafood tax is hitting British Columbia producers badly, some estimating their total income could be cut in half bringing in much lower incomes. The positive side is the savings Canadians may see at the grocery store due to extra supply levels. That’s good for seafood lovers.

Public health policies may be making us sick

0321 – U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., is making it a top priority to tackle the growing chronic disease epidemic and serious corruption in Public Health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, Centres for Disease Control and National Institutes of Health.

In Canada, we hear of suicide, chronic illness, skyrocketing cancer rates and increases in all-cause mortality. Mental illness and drug addiction are rampant. Families are struggling to put healthy food on the table and are having fewer children due to the cost of living.

Many feel overwhelmed and hopeless. We shake our heads and wonder what has happened to our beloved country. A new newspaper – Duthers.ca – takes a close look at public health policies that are making us sick. It’s an interesting read. DRUTHERS

Will this be what the election boils down to?

0320 – The federal election will likely be April 28 or May 5 but the pot is already bubbling locally. NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron has caused a social media rumble over a recent mailout that features what is labelled a trans-cult flag. (Google labels it as a Pride flag).

Kim Goldberg, on Facebook, interprets that as meaning Barron stands for men in women’s sports, men in women’s prisons, forcing girls to get naked in front of boys at schools and pools, amputating healthy breasts of teenage girls and chemically sterilizing children who don't conform.

We haven’t heard the last of this one. Check out the thread on Kim’s Facebook page. 

0319

The great deception, what is Trump up to?

Reverse psychology, espousing the exact opposite of a real intent.

President Donald Trump appeared to endorse Prime Minister Mark Carney for the next Canadian federal election. During an interview with Laura Ingram on the Ingram Angle, he said he believes Carney would be a lot easier to work with than Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre.

Does Trump really believe that or is he trying to make Canadians believe that Poilievre would be too steadfast in upholding Canadian values?

Trump is unpopular in Canada and Canadians are liable to vote the opposite of what he supports for our future. That raises the question of whether Trump really believe that he’d have an easier route with Carney to turn Canada into the fifty-first state and softer on trade negotiations.

Trump would have us believe Poilievre’s firm stance on tariffs and sovereignty issues really pissed him off enough to make him support a Liberal. Or is he saying the opposite of what he really believes in order to get Canadians to vote for the Conservatives?

One thing we’ve learned is that politics is based on deception.

0315 –

Trade wars are

not winnable

The escalating trade war has evolved into a pissing contest in a wind storm, everyone is getting sprayed.

The most obvious example in our neck of the woods is the showdown over trucking through our province, from Washington state to Alaska. At first it appeared Premier David Eby had a sure-fire idea with no kickback, but the Americans were quick to respond with a threat to completely destroy the cruise ship industry for our province.

The Jones Act of 1920 mandates that all shipping between American ports must include a stopover in a foreign jurisdiction, thus cruises between the Lower 48 and Alaska must stop over in Vancouver and/or Victoria, or other smaller B.C. ports like Nanaimo and Prince Rupert. Changing the Jones Act would be little more than the stroke of a pen through the U.S. Congress.

It's difficult to determine what spurred U.S. President Donald Trump into slapping tariffs on virtually everything his country imports. His first term as president may yield some hints on what set him off because he was dangling tariff threats was back then. It’s based on his commitment to the dairy industry in Wisconsin which has been dealing with Canadian tariffs for years. Canada has targetted tariffs up to 270 per cent on U.S. dairy products to protect the high-priced Canadian dairy industry, specifically in Quebec.

Skip across the border any time and you’ll quickly see that dairy products, especially cheeses, cost much less in the U.S. and that’s rooted in how we do business. We have a supply-management system that controls how much producers can produce in order to keep prices up.

So-called marketing boards in Canada cover dairy, poultry and beef among other products. In simple terms it is price fixing with Canadian consumers paying the price. The system protects all farming in Canada but Quebec is most affected because of its huge dairy industry.

The U.S. is the biggest buyer of Canadian beef at $4 billion annually making it a big ticket item in trade. It’s a similar story with other produce with McDonalds one of the biggest consumers of both beef and eggs.

The next time you head to your grocery store or classy restaurant you will see why steaks are beyond the price of many Canadians.

That’s the long explanation of tariffs and why tit-for-tat won’t solve the trade war. It’s punitive taxes put on imports and reciprocal get-even taxes applied to the other side. Another level of that was Ontario’s threat to put export taxes on hydro sold in the U.S. The U.S. quickly trumped that with the threat to double the tariff on Canadian Steel and aluminum sold in the U.S.

These are two areas that stand out, but it’s much more tangled than that. It's David and Goliath, and this time the giant has the upper hand. It’s not a winnable war.

Eby blurs line between ideology and governing

0313 –

It’s difficult to remain optimistic when ideology takes over the agenda.

Premier David Eby can't help himself, using tax dollars for partisan politics by cancelling rebate programs for Tesla electric vehicles. Not all electric brands, just Tesla.

The reason? Tesla’s developer and owner Elon Musk has been rooting out fraud and tax abuse in the United States, hitting hard at numerous left-wing causes. People who have been riding the gravy train are being held to account.

Eby pulled the same partisan stunt earlier when he banned liquor from certain states – the ones that voted Republican in the last election. Politics and governance go hand in hand but there must be a limit on how far you stretch that. Eby and his NDP government are crossing that line. It's a form of censorship. It boils down to the idea that if you don't agree with them you must be punished. 

Election promises are a shell game

0311 – We’re being fed a diet of bullshit and we’re expecting dessert. Not every day language, but that's the only way to describe it.

The shell game has begun for the federal election, whenever it’s called, and the carbon tax will be in the spotlight. New Liberal leader Mark Carney floated the issue in his acceptance speech at the Liberal convention on Sunday, appearing to say he would eliminate it.

The federal Conservatives have focused on the tax for a couple of years, vowing to completely eliminate it.

Premier David Eby also promised something similar, among other promises that were flushed down after the election.

This is where it gets confusing. If all parties offer the same thing, what’s the issue? Move on.

There’s a word that gets tossed around in political jargon and that’s transparency. What they’re all promising is not the same thing, you have to read between the lines for clarity, if you can.

What Carney and Eby are offering is not the same as Pierre Poilievre’s elimination of the carbon tax. So what’s different with the other option? It’s a word game, what Eby and Carney are floating is the elimination of the “consumer” carbon tax, not the whole shebang.

Under that curveball, consumers would no longer pay the tax up front at the cash register but it would be hidden in the cost of items we all buy, passed down to the consumer through the commercial sector. Grocery stores would still pay, truckers would still pay when buying fuel to deliver groceries. Homebuilders would still pay, and so on.

You see where this is going? It’s still a pig in a poke, but only of a different color. Check both sides of the coin before making change.

Time to stop election smearing campaigns

0310 – The date has not been set, but the federal election campaign is under way. Lies are flying like a prairie grasshopper plague, attacking party leaders with misinformation and outright untruths.

It appears to get worse with every election cycle, coming not only from the parties but organized outside supporters and special interests who depend on the outcome for their own selfish benefit.

“(Candidate) will destroy health insurance, bringing in American-style care.” That assumes it hasn’t already been destroyed. Or “(party leader) will take away your pensions.” There’s also the accusations that flow like a river claiming certainly candidates or parties support something they have never even mentioned. “(Party leader) is a Nazi or a fascist.”

That goes beyond freedom of speech, it’s outright lying.

There needs to be accountability. One suggestion would be to empower Elections Canada to call politicians to account for their false accusations, but that would be a stretch since it would take politicians to vote for such accountability. Don’t hold your breath on that one.

Somehow the lies and liars have to be called to account with heavy penalties, even to the point of disqualification from election.

Take it to another level, to promises made during election campaigns that never see the light of day after the votes are counted. You know, offer $1,000 bribes in return for votes. Or a catheterization laboratory or a hospital patient tower with no completion dates or funding commitment. Then dismissing them as though they were never promised. They were promised but as I pointed out at that time, the promises never included a start and completion date.

That leaves those promises on the shelf until the next election when they can be dusted off and offered again.

Provincial budget

awash in red ink

    250305– Tons is being written about Tuesday's provincial budget. The budget met my expectations. The government had a scapegoat to justify an almost $11 billion deficit without any real solutions to the province's biggest problems, health care, drugs, crime and homelessness.

The finance minister listed those topics as priorities but there's nothing in the budget to take a serious approach to those topics.

There will still be houseless people on our streets, drugs will continue to be handed out by government and hospital emergency rooms will continue to be closed.

Nanaimo's NDP MLAs have a lot to answer for with local supporters after health care promises who left out.

Civility is gone, we're hateful and intolerant

25-03-03 – We used to be able to disagree but respect each other. Now reaction to diverse opinions and ideas draw venomous responses.

We even hate some cars. People in both Canada and the United States disrespect each other’s national anthem at sporting events.

The deep-seated hate extends to individuals we don’t agree with. Most recently some Canadians began a campaign to bar U.S. President Donald Trump from attending a G7 conference in Canada this summer. A Canadian member of Parliament supported a petition to cancel Elon Musk’s Canadian citizenship.

All because of political differences. Some have gone to the extent of demonstrations outside Tesla dealerships because Musk owns the company. Musk is targeted for exposing government waste and fraud, which you would think would be popular.

The way we treat our own politicians is despicable. We vilify them personally rather than their politics. For years the Liberals and NDP have smeared Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre tagging him with names like Nazi. Outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has been a target to such a degree that he stepped down. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh has been maligned after he kept the unpopular Liberals to keep them in power while trashing them.

Social media is responsible to a large part but the political parties themselves are largely to blame. They run advertising campaigns targeting the leaders rather than the issues. And that rubs off on the public, as is intended, so it spreads far and wide, doing more harm than good.

We’re early in the life of the present B.C. government but to date there has been more attention to issues than the leaders, though there’s been some of that. It may be explained that there are so many issues that need attention that they don’t have the time to attack each other. This mandate is young, so things are most likely to change.

Even here in our city, groups of people who have not been able to get their own way have targeted city council members, specifically Mayor Leonard Krog.

You don’t have to hate Poilievre, Singh, Eby, Rustad or Krog, Trump or Musk, your focus should be on actions.

Crossing the line, Trump is a rude, loud-mouth bully but the polls show he still has solid support. It remains to be seen what comes out of that approach or whether it’s just The Art of the Deal. Not agreeing with him should not ban him from Canada.

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Conservatives have some learning to do

Feb. 27, 2025

That political stunt in the Legislature this week did not engender a lot of confidence in the B.C. Conservatives. Calling a non-confidence vote only days into the session, without a single piece of legislation tabled by the government, was crass politics.

John Rustad and his group, many of them first-timers, need to take a serious look at why voters gave them such a big mandate to serve in the Legislature, coming up just short of forming government. They need to remind themselves that they were not sent there to score political points but to work on behalf of the citizens of the province.

They have a bunch of neophytes, some who have not learned how to play in the sandbox tpgether, but they better put on their big girl and big boy pants in a real hurry. There’s going to be enough to hold the government to account for and they need to act like they know what they’re doing.

Here's just a sample. The drug problem continues to get worse, there are so many houseless people on the streets, health care is an utter mess. That would be a great place to start. There’s more.

Boycott of U.S. products is little

more than symbolism

25-02-25 – Here we go, groups left, right and centre are clamoring to teach those nasty Americans a lesson with one-day boycotts of  U.S.-made products. The old “getting even” idea.

Made-in-Canada is great, but why have Canadians not supported local business and industry all along? Why now all of a sudden?

The first cheapo bargain they see will have them zooming back to Walmart.

A one-day boycott means zero, nada, nothing. What they don’t buy one day they’ll buy there the next, so what’s the sense of it? Buy local all the time whenever you can, even if the price tag might be a penny or two higher.

With a large portion of discount store products coming from Asia, how would Canadian tariffs be applied? Made-in-China could become a hot ticket.

Liberals continue to lead one week into campaign

Polls are everywhere and most show the Liberal party in the lead with about four weeks remaining in the campaign. The Liberals and Conservatives are tied on who will best handle affordability and the cost of living. The latestIpsospoll for Global News shows both the Liberals and new party leader Mark Carney are continuing to pick up momentum. The Conservatives have also gained ground, to the detriment of the New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois.– 0320

Poilievre pitching tax writeoffs for people in trades travelling to work

Greens vow to halt 'rip-ship' economy at Nanaimo-Ladysmith election stop

Trump says he and Carney 'agree on many things' during first call

Poilievre slams Trump, proposes boost to TFSA contributions during B.C. stop

This should be the first Canadian election that focuses on migration

Danish foreign minister scolds Trump administration after JD Vance visit 

Promises, promises,

leaders campaigning

Federal party leaders were on the hustings in fine form entering the weekend. Conservatives and NDP both promised affordability measures. The NDP focus was on capping the price of some food items and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offered more tax write offs to some trades workers. Liberal Leader Mark Carney campaigned in Ottawa. Where he is seeking a seat in Parliament. 

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Poilievre pushing for

life sentences

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre was in Nanaimo today, taking  aim at drug dealers and other serious crimes. In a tough-on-drug mission, he said he would bring in life sentences for the very worst crimes such as fentanyl trafficking, human trafficking and illegal firearms. Poilievre cited legislation changes over recent years as a big factor behind what he said was a large increase in violent crimes, as well as a toxic drug crisis which has killed thousands in B.C. alone. The proposal is an evolution of his stance on criminal justice reform.

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Old U.S. relationship

is over, says Carney

Canada’s old relationship with the United States is over, says Mark Carney. The prime minister made the remark in the face of escalating tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney promised retaliatory measures, reducing internal trade barriers and diverting our reliance on the U.S. He said Canada must reimagine our economy after meeting with the cabinet committee on Canada-U.S. relations.

De Jong to run as independent in Abbotsford

Former B.C. cabinet minister Mike de Jong will run as an Independent in the federal election after the Conservative Party of Canada disqualified him as a candidate. De Jong said he’s still unsure why the party rejected his bid for the nomination in the new riding of Abbotsford-South Langley, but since then he’s been inundated with requests to run, even among long-standing loyal members of the Conservative party.

Carney takes time off to deal with tariffs

Prime Minister Mark Carney set aside campaigning to deal with new auto tariff announced by Donald Trump. Carney said he was suspending his campaign plans for the day and would return to Ottawa to hold a meeting of the Canada-U.S. cabinet committee.

Best promise a

candidate can make

0325 – Politics should be all about communication. An important titbit of advice for all candidates as they trot out promises – add answering your phones if you are elected. Being greeted by a plastic voice on a recording and being told to leave a message and hoping for a call back from your member of Parliament doesn’t cut it. That's the great disconnect.

Christy Clark bows out

of election race

Former premier Christy Clark will not run in the federal election. She had been touted as a possible candidate for the Liberals. Clark said she had received lots of encouragement and good wishes from Liberals and many other friends from across the country won’t run. Clark was premier from 2011 to 2017, elected under the banner of the BC Liberals – a party that has never been affiliated with the Liberal Party of Canada. MORE

Former Vancouver Mayor

in the running

Meanwhile, former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson is the Liberal party candidate in the new riding of Vancouver Fraserview-South Burnaby. Liberal MP Harjit Sajjan represents the area but is not seeking re-election. MORE

Time to look at

the track records

After four years of government it's baffling that some voters are still waiting to hear what the parties "stand for". By now it should be based on each party’s track record rather than promises which most often don’t see the light of day after election day.

Carney ducks French-language debate

A French-language debate has been cancelled by TVA after Liberal Leader Mark Carney declined to participate. The leaders of the Conservatives, Bloc Québécois and NDP slammed Carney for refusing to take part in the. The Quebecor-owned station had had asked each party to contribute $75,000 toward production costs for the debate. Two official debates – one in French and one in English – are still scheduled to go ahead on April 16 and 17.

Mid-Island seats

looking pretty blue

The mid-Island appeaars to be in for a major upheaval in the election. www.338Canada.com has the Conservatives sweeping all mid-Island ridings. Nanaimo-Ladysmith candidate Tamara Kronis sits at 99-per-cent odds of sprinting to an easy victory for the Conservatives. Thethe Liberals and Greens are tied for second at a one-per-cent chance and incumbent NDP MP Lisa Marie Barron in last place at no chance. The mid-Island seats are Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Courtenay-Alberni and North Island-Powell River.