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.

Nuremberg Code has

nothing to do with Holocaust

Editor, Daily Buzz

David Eby is being disingenuous when attacking John Rustad, by referencing the Nuremberg Trials and the Holocaust instead of the Nuremberg Code.

Rustad is referring to the way people were forced to have the Covid19 shot, or lose your job; don’t travel abroad, don’t go to a restaurant etc. This is against article 1 (see below) of the Nuremberg Code - No-one is denying the Holocaust.

"The voluntary consent of the human subject is absolutely essential. This means that the person involved should have legal capacity to give consent; should be situated as to be able to exercise free power of choice, without the intervention of any element of force, fraud, deceit, duress, over-reaching, or other ulterior form of constraint or coercion, and should have sufficient knowledge and comprehension of the elements of the subject matter involved as to enable him to make an understanding and enlightened decision.

This latter element requires that before the acceptance of an affirmative decision by the experimental subject there should be made known to him the nature, duration, and purpose of the experiment; the method and means by which it is to be conducted; all inconveniences and hazards reasonably to be expected; and the effects upon his health or person which may possibly come from his participation in the experiment."

Ann Rodgers

Nanaimo

Why wasn't geotech study done first?

Jim Taylor – Now that construction is halted pending geotech study as to how to deal with mine voids under the street, the completion date seems uncertain. I would have thought that geotech study would be done before starting a project? It should come as no surprise that there are old mine workings under the street. I remember Lloyd Sherry telling me in days of old when the armed forces were part of the May 24 parade there were places downtown they simply did not drive any heavy trucks. Wonder why? 24-10-04