Canadian military living

in cars due to housing crisis

Ushering out the old year

with unfinished business

Out with the old and in with the new. It would be great to start 2024 with a new slate, but that’s not the way things work.

Optimism is in short supply as we stumble into 2024. Listing all the baggage we bring with us in the new year would be a very long list.

Top of mind issues include Canada’s housing crisis that is leaving a lot of Canadians without a place to lay their heads. It’s not a case of putting the cart before the horse as homelessness and mental illness and drug use are joined at the hip. Health care is a mess, abetting that problem. Open drug use is now fair game. Many government programs have only made things worse.

Heading into a provincial election for an October vote will have us talking about these issues along with others. Affordability is one of the main issues as we get hammed with inflation along with all the other challenges. Going to the grocery store is a dreaded chore these days, and the future doesn’t hold much relief.

That's only scratching the surface. Politicians have a lot to answer for in the coming campaign. And make promises they will.

A great way to usher in 2024 tonight is to use common sense. Police will be out in force to keep drinking drivers off our roads, but that should not be the determining factor. It’s not a matter of escaping responsibility but rather acting responsibly. Don’t drive if you plan on consuming alcohol or drugs tonight. If you do you are endangering not only yourself but everyone else on our roads. There’s nothing appealing about starting the new year with a hangover or waking up in a jail cell.

Greeting the new year, our mailboxes bring a taste of what’s in store as many people wait with baited breath to see their property assessments. The real estate market has been in flux and that may be reflected in your assessment. A quick glance reveals both ups and downs of values, as of July, 2023. Notices have been in the mail for a couple of days, but you don’t have to wait, you can take a look at yours HERE 

Quotable – And now I'm going to take the rest of the year off.

Island Health using lifestyle
to lure health care workers

Island Health is trying to lure more health care workers to our Pacific paradise by selling the benefits of our lifestyle through a $340,000 advertising campaign. Vice President of Clinical Services Jason Hanson said there’s lots of competition for the few available and qualified professionals so the ads focus on the natural beauty and recreation of the Island. MORE

Who would not want to live here? If that message needed reinforcement, daily high temperatures were recorded in 10 B.C. locations on Thursday. White Rock reached 14.1 C, eclipsing the city’s old mark of 11.7 way back in 1929. It was a similar story on Wednesday with 13 records set as West Vancouver reach it 14 C. Meanwhile, ski resorts are crying for snow. MORE

If you’re dedicated to saving the planet you might want to try changing your diet. Shellfish produce a mere fraction of the of carbon dioxide emissions as beef and chicken meat. Beef emissions are 30 times higher. B.C. produced 8,226 tonnes of oysters in 2022, an increase of four per cent from the year before. Sixty per cent of B.C. oysters are exported to the U.S., then Asia and the rest mostly to the Lower Mainland restaurant industry. If every Canadian ate just one oyster a year, it would represent nearly a third of all the oysters produced. FULL STORY

An Abbotsford man has been sentenced to nearly five years in jail after pleading guilty to multiple impair driving charges. He may hold a Canadian record with 21 convictions for drunk driving. The latest was after a motorcycle accident last year led to 66-year-old Roy Heide, whose blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit at the time of the crash. He pleaded guilty to multiple impaired driving infractions on Dec. 18. MORE

Quotable – No matter how big a hammer you use, you just can’t pound common sense into stupid people.

Oceanside victim hit with

$100,000 crypto swindle

No matter how many warnings are issued, people are still falling victim to crypto currency scams. Oceanside RCMP report that a resident fell victim by giving her banking details to a fraudster on a telephone cold call. Once he got the banking details, the scammer was able to access the victim’s account and send several e-transfers to a crypto company. The total loss was more than $100,000, said Sgt. Shane Worth of Oceanside RCMP. MORE

Gabriola Islanders can expect water taxi only service on specific late night and early morning sailings January 15 – 17 to allow overnight geotechnical work on the marine structures at the Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour terminals. This work is in support of future terminal development. As service will not be available for vehicles, check BC Ferries online for sailing times.

Quotable – I don’t trust coffee that takes more than 10 words to order.

This is what we call a slow news cycle in the media world, when a lot of organizations take a break over the holiday period. Media are full of reflection on top stories of the past year. So things are kind of dry in your Daily Buzz. But fret not, everything should be back to normal by the middle of next week when politicians and bureaucrats head back to work.

Local schools have cashed in on lottery money from the provincial government. Here’s how the money will be split  – NDSS $31,740; Dover Bay $29,940; and Wellington $19,780. Money goes to parent advisory councils for equipment and costs associated with extra-curricular activities.

Southern resident killer whales have welcomed a new arrival. Researchers spotted an unfamiliar calf swimming with J pod off the coast of Washington State on Tuesday. The Center for Whale Research reports the calf was not with J pod during other recent encounters, suggesting the orca was likely just a few days old.

Quotable – Last night the internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family. They seem like good people.

2023 kicks up

a storm on its way out

The old year is rather feisty, not going out with a whimper. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for a majority of Vancouver Island, including the west coast and Oceanside regions, with  gusts over 100 km/h. The west side of the island expects waves up to 20 feet into this afternoon. An intense Pacific frontal system will remain off the coast today through Friday. Conditions are expected to taper this evening, but regain strength into Thursday, Dec. 28.

Nanaimo's Matt Wood had a goal and a pair of assists at the World Junior Hockey championship in Sweden Wednesday as Canada hammered Lativa 10-0. Canada is undefeated after beating Finland on Tuesday.

They did it again. Some 150 crazies scampered into the frigid water at Departure Bay Beach on Boxing Day in the annual polar bear plunge. Now in its sixty fourth year, event made its comeback after a three-year break for the pandemic.

It’s rather comedic when experts explain the rise and fall of low gas prices on Vancouver Island. One says it may be due to the mild winter weather. Moshe Lander of Concordia University believes the lack for household heating and lower demand for air travel is the reason for the drop in price at the pump this year. The GasBuddy website states the relatively low prices the Island is seeing are close to what drivers saw at the pump two years ago during the pandemic. Just keep your eyes on the signs when you travel around this season. There’ really only one explanation, prices go up and down at the oil companies’ whims.

Who needs cell phone service on the ski slopes? Mount Washington Alpine Resort had no Wi-Fi or Telus cell service on Tuesday due to a damaged cable. The outage is affecting the resort’s own phone services and website, including its weather feeds, live webcams and other online features. Telus was dispatching a repair crew, though there was no timeline for the repairs. MORE

Quotable – Caution. Consumption of wine may lead you to think you are a good singer.

Weather plays havoc with transportation

A NOTE to all the Snowbids down south in the U.S. deserts and in Mexico who get their daily news lineup here. Here's what you didn't know.

UPDATE – Highway 4 has reopened in both directions at Cameron Lake after it had  been closed on Monday due to debris and falling rock between Cathedral Grove and Koen Road. A geotechnical assessment is under way. There is no detour route. The next update was expected at 10:00 a.m. today. MORE

The strong wind made waves for ferry travellers on Christmas day with several cancelled sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. Evening sailings from the four major terminals were cancelled due to adverse weather conditions. Between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, the 8:05 p.m., 8:45 p.m. and 10:10 p.m. sailings were cancelled. MORE

Vancouver Island marmots are on the comeback trail, bouncing back from near extinction. Nanaimo’s Marmot Recovery Foundation reports a baby boom this year with 59 pups has brought their population up to 306 animals after there were 30 remaining in the wild in 2003. Only four pups were born in 2022. The marmot is one of Canada’s most endangered species. The recovery foundation started in 1998 by capturing marmots for a breeding program. There is a facility on Mount Washington with breeding programs at the Calgary and Toronto zoos. MORE

Many seniors in our province are at risk of becoming homeless, says seniors advocate Isobel Mackenzie. The need for homes for seniors has become dire for those with low, fixed incomes. The BC Housing wait-list for social housing has 18,865 households on it, with seniors and families in the greatest need, a 27-per-cent jump from 2022 Mackenzie said as more people retire and start collecting pensions and other benefits, many seniors see their incomes drop dramatically from their working years, sometimes to the point where they can no longer afford to pay rent. MORE

Gift cards are a last-minute resort for many Christmas shoppers. But, make sure you use them. The National Retail Federation in the U.S. says tens of billions of dollars worth wind up forgotten or unused. In British Columbia, gift cards, vouchers or credits for a specific dollar amount are not allowed to expire. But if you stuff them in a drawer or forget about them, that’s lost money. If in doubt, check the specific business the card was issued by. MORE

Quotable – The biggest scam in the world, paying taxes on the money you make. Then paying taxes on the money you spend, and taxes on the thing you own that you already paid taxes on with already-taxed money.

What's in Santa's bag?

It's the day before Christmas and all through the house. . . some people are difficult to shop for, but for some the obvious quickly kicks in. Here  are my idle thoughts on Christmas Eve.

Leonard Krog, mayor, the wisdom of Solomon in dealing with the extremists on council.

Nanaimo city council, new pot hole repair equipment. Natural gas heaters won’t be necessary, they produce enough of their own. Besides, natural gas is banned in Nanaimo.

David Eby, premier, real housing solutions for the homeless, drug addicted and mentally ill, which have been out of reach. It’s been patchwork so far.

Adrian Dix, Health Minister, about a thousand health care workers returning to work after they were fired for refusing to be vaccinated.

MLA Sheila Malcolmson, more staff to answer the phones in her constituency office. Answering machines are great for politicians but not for constituents.

John Rustad, BC Conservative leader, a way to convert poll numbers into Legislature seats in the October, 2024 provincial election.

Kevin Falcon, Opposition leader, Dale Carnegie communications courses.

Sonia Furstenau, Green Party leader, a simple reality check. Idealism doesn’t pay the bills.

Lisa Marie Barron, Member of Parliament, freedom from the constraints . . . of the Liberal party.

Bill Sims, City Public Works director, a place to call home – a new public works facility which has been pushed off the budget table for ages.

Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister, an early retirement would look good under the tree.

Pierre Poilievre, leader of the Opposition. Public opinion polls that translate into votes in 2025.

Jagmeet Singh, federal NDP leader, a divorce from the ties that bind him to Justin Trudeau.

For all of us, government that works for the people, not for the politicians.

For those I forgot, Merry Christmas and a great New Year.

Politicians react to court

ruling on open drug use

23-12-31

Local politicians are weighing in on the British Columbia Supreme Court’s decision to block new provincial laws against the public consumption of illegal substances.

Friday’s ruling was in favour of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association to impose a temporary injunction until March 31.

Skiing resorts hit hard

by warm, wet weather

23-12-31

The weather continues to cast a cloud over ski resort operators. Much of the southern portion of the province has been hit with mild weather. Some resorts estimate that business is down 50 per cent from last year and believe the losses during the Christmas season can't be recovered, regardless of the weather. MORE

2023 was a near blackout

for province’s film industry

23-12-31

The B.C. film industry is struggling to regain a lot of lost business in 2023. A record $4.9 billion in production spending in 2022 was a strong rebound from the pandemic. It’s different now with the fallout from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes hits home. Shawn Williamson, the president of Brightlight Pictures, says the strikes shut things down, 95 per cent of what is typically shot in Vancouver was on hold. The provincial government gave $15.9 million to the struggling industry in April. MORE

Court blocks law prohibiting

public use of illegal drugs

23-12-29

A new law to restrict public use of illegal drugs has been blocked by the British Columbia Supreme Court. The ruling imposes a temporary injunction until March 31, with Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson saying irreparable harm will be caused if the laws come into force. The act was passed by the legislature in November, allowing fines and imprisonment for people who refuse to comply with police orders not to consume drugs in certain public places. The Harm Reduction Nurses Associationargued the act, which has yet to come into effect, would violate the Charter of Rights in various ways if enforced. MORE

Trucking company suspended

After Hwy 99 overpass crash

23-12-29

Chohan Freight Forwarders’ fleet of 65 vehicles has been suspended from operating in B.C. after one of its trucks struck an overpass on Hwy 99. The Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement branch suspendied the company while the investigation is under way, which will likely cost the company tens of thousands of dollars. Transportation Minister Rob Fleming said the suspension is a result of the company’s unwillingness or inability to operate safely within the province, following its sixth infrastructure crash in two years. MORE

Kevin Falcon dismisses

B.C. Conservative surge

Dec. 28, 2023

Opposition Leader Kevin Falcon remains insistent his party can turn things around by the next election in October. He says he’s not buying the recent polls that found John Rustad’s BC Conservatives have surged ahead of his party. Falcon insists voters are confused about the Conservatives, being separate from the federal Conservatives. MORE

Port Hardy Emergency
closed due to staffing shortage

Dec. 28, 2023

The Port Hardy Hospital emergency department is closed again today and will reopen on Friday. Island Health says the closure is due to a staff shortage at the hospital. This comes just days after the emergency roomwas closed for another staff shortage. It was closed on Christmas Eve before reopening on Christmas Day.

Eby lays out plans

into election year

Dec. 27, 2023

Premier David Eby is taking the B.C. Conservative party seriously. In a year-end interview with CTV, the premier said. “The threat that they represent … is bigger than an electoral threat, it’s a threat to the province’s prosperity, and I’m very anxious about it,” he said. As the year comes to a close, Eby enjoys a big lead in the polls but that won’t tempt him to call an early election before the fixed election date in October. MORE

Dec. 24, 2023

Prime Minister Trudeau’s
year-end Global interview

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he knows people are frustrated with him, especially the same young voters who helped propel his party to a majority government in 2015. He told Global News Ottawa bureau chief Mercedes Stephenson in a year-end interview, deflecting responsibility on the global financial crisis: “I didn’t make a promise that I was going to make things better for them and then walk away after four years or even after eight years. I said I’d be there to fight for them every single day.” The full interview airs onThe West Blockon Christmas Eve at 8 a.m. Pacific time.

Dec. 23, 2023

Myra Falls Mine shutdown
came amid record profits

The company which owns the Myra Falls Mine near Campbell River shut down the operation even though it reported record profits. Trafigura laid off nearly 300 people on Monday, saying increased operating costs and depressed metal prices mean the operation is no longer financially viable. Trafigura’s website shows record net profits for 2023 of $7.4 billion (USD). A corporate video posted nine days before the layoffs includes the executive chairman and CEO Jeremy Weir talking about the year’s successes, including in minerals and metals. Zinc prices came off a 10-year high of almost $3,500 USD per metric ton in 2022. The Myra Falls operation is now in bankruptcy protection, leaving workers shut out and dozens of creditor out millions of dollars. MORE

Dec. 22, 2023

Federal government posts
$15.1 billion six-month deficit

The federal government went deeper in the hole with a $15.1 billion deficit of between April and October, $7 billion of that was in October. Last year, during the same period the deficit was $0.2 billion. Government revenue rose by $3 billion, or 1.2 per cent, due to higher interest and other non-tax revenue. Public debt charges were up $7.5 billion, or 38.1 per cent, largely due to higher interest rates but partly offset by lower consumer price index adjustments on real return bonds. See the detailed explanation HERE.

More people leaving B.C.
than migrating to our province

Alberta bound, Alberta bound. The great exodus continues as more people left the province than came in between July and September. Many outgoing residents went to Alberta. It was the fifth quarter in a row that B.C. saw a net decrease in interprovincial migration – 17,186 people left and 12,552 moved here, making for a net loss of 4,634. MORE

RBC takeover of HSBC Canada
get final approval from Freeland

Say goodbye to HSBC Canada. A $13.5-billion takeover by RBC has cleared the final hurdle as Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland approved the deal despite calls to block it over concerns of reduced competition. Freeland’s approval was the last hurdle for the deal after the Competition Bureau approved it in September. The takeover comes with conditions, including that none of HSBC Canada’s 4,000 employees be fired within six months of the closing date, or two years for front-line staff, and that banking services continue to be provided at a minimum of 33 HSBC branches for four years. MORE

Wild and windy christmas for Vancouver Island

A series of strong storms is set to hit north Vancouver Island from today into Sunday afternoon with wind gusts between 90 and 120 km/h. Environment Canada says the winds will hit exposed coastal areas. There’s potential that even stronger winds will begin Christmas Day and into next week. MORE

Reports are emerging of Taylor Swift fans getting swindled online by fake ticket ordering sites. In one case it went so far as to have a friend of the victim vouching for the fake seller, who it turned out had likely been cloned with a fake account. Some people have been bilked out of thousands of dollars. Even though the tickets are hard to come by, order only through reputable registered ticket agencies. There are no deals.

The Centre for Disease Control has issued it’s final Covid-19 report for the year showing flu and respiratory season is upon us. The number of flu and RSV continues to rise while Covid cases are down. Researchers also monitor virus concentrations at wastewater facilities across the province showing increasing concentrations at most plants.

Goodbye winter solstice, days are getting longer

We're getting more daylight now that we’ve passed the winter solstice. The gain is minuscule at first, a matter of seconds a day, but will steadily grow until daylight expands by three minutes per day in March. That fluctuates dependent on where you live. The further north you go the greater the daylight gain.

The visitor information centre on the Nanaimo Parkway will close for the final time today. Tourism Nanaimo said in a press release that the Northfield Road location will close permanently and relocate to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. The new location will open on March 1.

It’s virtually impossible to complete Christmas shopping when your plastic won’t work. Moneris, which manages the credit and debit card system, said late Friday an earlier issue that prevented card processing has been resolved. But there was mayhem before that time. BC Ferries reported delays, payments for travel or on-board purchases had to be made manually and advised bringing cash for the time being. So much for the rumored cashless or digital economy. MORE

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is leaving . . .  going to Jamaica for the Christmas holidays in the sun with his family, Dec. 26 to Jan. 4. Here’s the news flash, he’s paying his own way. The PMO says it consulted the federal ethics commissioner ahead of the trip, and that the family will cover the cost of its stay as well as the cost of travelling on a government plane. But don’t start a celebratory dance just yet, there’s no mention of the cost of the RCMP security detail which goes wherever the prime minister goes. Justin's estranged wife Sophie and children will travel with him. MORE

The year end is a great time to take stock of how we fared in light of rising costs and inflation. Forbes Magazine ranks billionaires around the world, including the richest people in Canada. The richest people in Canada are my former employer, David Thomson and family. Check the top billionaires and how they made their fortunes. HERE.

Quotable – As this year draws to a close, I urge you to take care of yourself because spare parts for older models like you and I are no longer in stock.

23-12-22

Students live the

real Christmas Spirit

You’ve got to hand it to kids from several schools who went our of their way to create a better Christmas for people without a home. They stepped up in the Everybody Deserves a Smile delivering 785 packages with gloves, a scarf, toiletries and home-baked cookies to nine social service agencies on Thursday.  Led by Grade 7 students at Ecole Hammond Bay Elementary School they were joined by Rock City, Uplands, Departure Bay, Fairview, Aspengrove and NDSS. MORE

The Christmas rush is about to begin for B.C. Ferries, but two sailings from Swartz Bay were held in dock this morning awaiting replacement crew members. The 8 a.m. Queen of New Westminster left 47 minutes late, and the 7:45 a.m. Coastal Celebration sailing got under way 51 minutes late. Ferries tells travellers to arrive during the check-in window noted in their booking confirmation email to maintain the reserved status,BC Ferries says in a notice on its website.

City council has given the green light for 171 multi-family residential units at 325 Watfield Ave. It will have two six-storey buildings close to NDSS. They will be a mix of studio, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments. Half of the parking spaces will have EV charging stations, a public pedestrian trail, an outdoor patio and a children’s play area.  MORE

 An out-of-control truck damaged two homes on Rock City Rodd Wednesday afternoon. Police said the driver was a 37-year-old man. Investigators said the vehicle turned onto Rock City Road at high speed and crashed near the home, damaging two pillars and the front yard of one house, along with the trailer, fence and siding of another home. There were no signs of impairment and the driver declined medical attention. HERE

In the You've Got to be Kidding department, people are questioning whether Parks Canada got its money’s worth in the eradication of 84 invasive deer on Sidney Island this month. Three marksmen from the U.S. and New Zealand used a helicopter to kill the dear at a cost of more than $800,000 – about $10,000 per dear. Parks Canada could have held a special hunting season, with limited licenses, and actually made money on the project. Hunters would have been delighted and we could have saved $800,000. MORE

RCMP seek public help to find a man who missed a health-care appointment and is now considered missing. 24-year-old William McMurray, who also goes by Liam, missed a scheduled appointment and “there is significant concern for his health and well-being. If you have information, call the RCMP at 250-754-2345.

A Christmas miracle of another type, who would have dreamed that the Vancouver Canucks would be sitting in first place in the National Hockey League just before Christmas? The Canucks and Vegas Golden Knights each have 47 points, but the Canucks have more wins.

Quotable – Car and Driver magazine says 95 per cent of all electric vehicles are still on the road. The other five per cent made it all the way home.

23-12-21

Don't get your hopes up for a white Christmas

With apologies to Bing Crosby, it may sound cliche to dream of a white Christmas but I doubt any one really loves trudging through snow, unless you are a skier. Environment Canada forecasts temperatures six to eight degrees above normal for winter. You might see frost on the windshield but that’s likely as white as you’ll get. Remember this time last year when flights were grounded, ferries shut down some sailings and Canada Post stopped delivering packages after a snowstorm brought more than 20 cm of snow.

I bet Downtown businesses are breathing a sigh of relief now that the city has boosted the Vandalism Relief Program. It will let them apply more than twice a year up to $5,000 per incident. The program is run by the Chamber of Commerce. CEO Corry Gervais said a lot of time they have had to wait until they can afford to replace glass or a door, or other vandalismlike graffiti. How about clamping down on the criminal element? MORE

Can you sing or dance? In public? The city parks department is looking for performers for the Concerts in the Park series between May and August throughout the city. Applications are open until Jan. 15. For more information on the Concerts in the Parks series and to apply, let your fingers do the walking to the Concerts in the Park page.

Nanaimo-based VMAC Global Technology is expanding with a new 5,000-square-foot manufacturing plant which employs more than 180. The province is contributing up to $3.4 million through the BC Manufacturing Jobs Fund. It allows VMAC to scale up the production of lightweight air compressors for the heavy-duty commercial electric vehicle market, including semi-trucks, buses and other specialized vehicles requiring air brakes and air suspension.

Anthony Rouskov Nielsen, who nearly killed a senior couple in their home two years ago, has been handed a five and a half year prison sentence. He was credited for time served since his arrest immediately following the 2021 attack. He will have to spend 942 more days in the pen and will be subject to a 10-year weapons ban after his release and has to provide a DNA sample. MORE

Who in their wildest dreams would have imagined comparing Canadian health care to the Mexican variety? I got a note from a Nanaimo snowbird nesting in Mexico for the winter. He relates a story about a Nanaimo friend of his in desperate need of a hip replacement and was told that it would be 18 months on a waiting list. His pain was so bad he was confined to a wheelchair. In desperation he went to Mexico and in two weeks he had his surgery. Now six month later he’s back playing oldtimers hockey. There are many similar cases. See the whole story HERE.

While we’re on this topic, Ethan Baldwin of Courtenay has been waiting for spine surgery for seven years. It’s been frustrating, to say the least. His family got a call that surgery was scheduled this week for the 20-year-old. But two hours before the surgery was scheduled to begin, they got a call that it had been cancelled due to the lack of ICU beds. This is an ongoing nightmare for Ethan and his family. Health Minister Adrian Dix said Wednesday he will personally investigate the circumstances surounding this case. MORE

Quotable – I woke up this morning determined to drink less, eat right, and exercise. But that was hours ago when I was younger and full of hope.

47 new safe spaces

for women and children

12-20 –

Nanaimo women and children leaving violence are getting 47 safe spaces in a new housing development. It features 30 self-contained second-stage units with their own bathroom and kitchen, as well as 10 rooms with 17 transition beds for short-term stays. Three second-stage housing units and one transition room will be wheelchair accessible. Haven Society will operate the homes which are expected to be completed next fall.

B.C. Ferries is adding 34 extra sailings between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay over the Christmas travel period. Typically, the most popular travel time before Christmas Day is Dec. 23. The most popular after Christmas Day will be Dec. 26 and 27. Sailing schedules are reduced on some routes, so check individual schedules online. In 2022, 911,000 passengers and 428,000 vehicles travelled on ferries over Christmas and expects similar numbers this year.

Five Acre Farm was spared developers’ hammer and nails Monday as city council turned down the idea of affordable housing on the site. It will be set aside for park use, farm practices and a protected wetland. Council looked at five options which also included a combination of park and affordable housing. Coun. Ben Geselbracht said green space is in short supply in the city, adding it offers great opportunities to continue building on agricultural and food-growing initiatives. MORE

Christmas shopping this year has been the most challenging I can remember. First there’s the challenge of finding the right gift for each person, and then elbowing your way through the masses shopping for it. So, you find what you want only to be told it’s not in stock, available online only. They can order it for you, but it will take a while until you can pick it up at the store. I’m old fashioned, I want to see it, touch it and take it home if I decide to buy it. No wonder gift certificates are turning out to be the top choice as gifts.

Quotable – I was always taught to respect my elders but it’s getting harder to find one.

Merry Christmas,

the tax man cometh

12-19 – Nanaimo city council unanimously approved third reading for the 2024 budget on Monday with an eight-per-cent tax increase. If you own a typical home you’ll face a $213 increase on your tax bill, rising to $2,860 from $2,647 this year. Oh, and you’ll get your new tax assessment notice in the mail right after Christmas.

But that’s not all, with a big hike for the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District which unanimously approved its 2024 provisional budget. It calls for a 28-per-cent jump in property taxes between Cedar and Bowser, $355 for a property assessed at $800,000. A staff report stated planning is based on the board’s prior year direction and capital requests from Island Health. MORE

Great Nanaimo Toy Drive organizers were concerned with the increase in need this year, but they need not have worried. After all, this is Nanaimo where we step up when needed. The 2023 campaign has wrapped up, and it may be one of the most successful in its 41-year history. Janet Mirau of the toy drive said at least 800 local families were supported this year. MORE

If you're hoping for a white Christmas you will likely be disappointed. Peering ahead, the weather prediction is for a green Christmas this year on Vancouver Island. But that’s not out of the ordinary in an area where snow comes as a surprise. Across Canada, those who are used to snow and cold on Christmas day, well it’s going to be green in most areas across the country. So, sit back and enjoy, unless you were planning a skiing trip.

Winter Wonderland is back Dec. 24 and 26 to 30. The Frank Crane Arena will be transformed into a West Coast Winter Wonderland theme featuring twinkling lights, seasonal music, a forest of real trees, a decorated 1957 blue Chevy truck filled with trees and presents and other holiday decor. Activities over the six days include free skating sessions. In addition, there is no charge for helmet or skate rentals. A Kinsmen Pancake Breakfast will occur on Thursday, December 28 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at Beban Park Social Centre. There’s a whole lot more HERE.

BC Transit has special service for New Year’s Eve across the province. In Nanaimo, there will be extended service on New Year’s Eve, December 31. Transit will be free between 8 p.m. 2:30 a.m. To view schedules click HERE.

Sean Carl John Patterson has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of a man at Port Place. He appeared in provincial court in Nanaimo on Monday to enter the plea. A BC Supreme Court trial had been scheduled but has now been cancelled. He was initially charged with second degree murder. Crown counsel Nick Barber said an assessment to determine any mental health concerns will assist with the sentencing process. MORE

Quotable –  The World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland was “where billionaires go to lecture millionaires on how ordinary people live.” –  James Delingpole, British journalist

Five Acre Farm's future

on council agenda tonight

1218 – Tonight’s city council meeting could define the future for Five Acre Farm. Residents were given options in an online survey and 76 per cent want to preserve the entire property rather than have it going into housing. The city-owned farm  dates back to the 1800s when the mining company sold the land to miners to help them be self-sufficient during downturns in the industry. Much of the farm has been developed. In November, the city posed five options for the farm, which included developing up to two acres of it into affordable housing. It’s on tonight’s city council agenda. MORE

A 4.9-magnitude earthquake Sunday on northern and central Vancouver Island wasn’t a big shaker but noticed by some people in Nanaimo. The quake hit in mid-afternoon, on the mainland, 137 km northeast of Campbell River and 222 km northwest of Vancouver. Earthquakes Canada said it was felt on northern and central Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Greater Vancouver. There were no reports of damage. MORE

Some lower lying areas along the coast could see flooding this week as another rain storm hits Georgia Strait. Environment Canada said flooding is possible during high tide on Monday and Tuesday. Several East Island municipalities, including Victoria, Duncan, Nanaimo, Comox and Campbell River, will see rain this week. MORE

The Regional District needs $89,176,700 in tax revenue and that translates into a 13.5- per-cent tax increase. The RDN board approved its 2024-2028 financial plan last week after some directors’ hesitance at the size of the increase. They wanted a closer look at some items in the budget reduce the huge tax hike and ease the financial burden, particularly on residents, who are on a fixed income. DETAILS

The economic squeeze could challenge Christmas dinner, but there’s help available. Some restaurants will be open on Christmas day and two organizations will be providing free meals. The 7-10 Club and Maranatha Church will welcome all comers. About 120 meals were served at the church lat year. MORE

Milner Christmas Magic continues nightly until Wednesday night. It’s your last chance to stroll through the twinkling woodland dazzling with sparkling light displays. Open nightly from 5 to 8:30 p.m.

Quotble – Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Two killed in car crash

on Nanaimo River Road

12-17 – Two people were killed in a single vehicle crash early Saturday morning on Nanaimo River Rd., near the Nanaimo Lake Deadwood campground. Cst. Mike Thompson said the investigation is continuing with the Integrated Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Service and the BC Coroner Service MORE

While many real estate sales in the past year drew offers well over the asking price, the situation is reversing. That is showing up in some real estate transaction in Nanaimo recently as sales and prices drop. Realtor John Cooper provides regular updates on the local market. He reports that asking prices on some listing are coming in below the tax-assessed value, and a number of sales closing nearly 10-per-cent below the listing price. READ REPORT

Relief is on the way for French Creek residents who are enduring more than their share of odors. The French Creek Pollution Control Centre will undergo major improvements beginning next summer. The Regional Nanaimo District has approved $25,496,859 an expansion and odour control upgrade project. The federal government providing $10,198,744, the province another $8,498,103. The RDN is picking up the balance of $6,800,012. MORE

Quotable – We are drowning in information while starving for wisdom.

Dec. 21, 2023

COVID test supplier got billions
in contracts after edited results

A Covid rapid test importer got $2 billion in federal contracts, despite giving incomplete data about its product’s accuracy. Global News reports a year-long investigation revealed that BTNX, based outside Toronto, deleted dozens of specimens from a study it submitted to Health Canada making it appear more reliable and sensitive than it really was. The device could detect the virus in users who were the most contagious, but results from leading regulators indicate the test was much less dependable in all other cases. MORE

Earthquake hits Alaska
Andreanof Island near Adak

A 6.3 magnitude earthquake rattled the Andreanof Island off Alaska this morning. It was centred 106.8 km SE of Adak, Alaska at 6:55 a.m. Pacific Time. There have been no reports of damage.

First building permit issued
for Lytton rebuild process

Frustrated evacuees who have been waiting to rebuild since the disastrous wildfire in the Lytton two-and-a-half years ago finally have something positive. After facing delay after delay, the first building permit has been issued and construction of a new home is under way. The original home was destroyed in the fire in June of 2021, when most of the community burned to the ground. Since then, property owners have faced lengthy delays in trying to rebuild. MORE

More international medical grads
now working as doctors in B.C.
Almost all of the 666 international medical graduates registered in the province this year are now working as doctors, with more than half in family medicine, says Health Minister Adrian Dix. He says as many as 700 doctors who weren’t practicing family medicine a year ago are now working in the sector. Increasing the number of family doctors includes more spaces in medical schools for both Canadian and international students. MORE

Advice for naked intuders, never break into senior woman's house
A 72-year-old woman used a shovel to chase a naked man from her Vancouver home on Tuesday night. Vancouver police say the man entered the home by smashing a window with a metal rod. The woman, who lives alone, got out of bed, grabbed a shovel and chased him from her house as he swung the rod at her. She then cornered the suspect in his vehicle until police arrived. MORE

Myra Falls Mine workers left
in a state of shock, confustion

Former workers at the Myra Falls Mine are not sure what they’ll do next. Some are third-generation miners and say the layoff this week is a gut punch. Unifor Local 3019 President John Humphrey said it was a shock, close to Christmas and nobody was expecting it. Mine owner Singapore-based Trafigura, said increased operating costs and depressed metal prices  mean the operation is no longer financially viable. Myra Falls Mine has sought creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act to enable the company to be restructured.” Contract negotiations with the union Unifor as recent as November provided no hint that trouble was coming, according to union staff. MORE

Dec 20, 2023

Clinic closure leaves
thousands without doctor

Thousands of patients in Victoria will have to find a new doctor in the new year after Shelbourne Medical Clinic announced it is shutting down. About 3,500 patients will be affected when the clinic shuts down at the end of March due to the retirement of one of the three family doctors at the clinic. The remaining two doctors can't keep the practise running on their own. MORE

Canada Revenue Agency
fires 185 employees
The Canada Revenue Agency has fired 185 employees for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. The CRA is reviewing approximately 600 cases in which employees took the Canada Emergency Response Benefit during the pandemic. The benefit was $2,000 a month to Canadians whose jobs were lost or downgraded as a result of public-health restrictions. MORE

231219

Gas-powered new auto sales

to be phased out in 12 years

Automakers have 12 years to phase out combustion engine cars, trucks and SUVs marking the end of the road for gas-powered vehicles in Canada. New regulations coming this week will effectively end the sale of new gasoline or diesel vehicle in 2035. Automaker will have to show a minimum percentage of vehicles they sell are fully electric or longer-range plug-in hybrids. MORE

Population increase hits
almost half a million in 3Q

Canada’s population grew by almost half a million in the third quarter of this year – more than 430,000, marking the fastest pace of population growth in any quarter since 1957, putting the population at more than 40.5 million. That has been fuelled by international migration, including about 313,000 non-permanent residents who came over the three months. Those non-permanent residents were mostly work and study permit-holders, and to a lesser extent, refugee claimants. MORE

Celine Dion has lost
control of her muscles

Celine Dion’s sister says the singer is facing further challenges as she continues to live with a rare neurological disorder. Claudette Dion said her sister is focused on overcoming her illness, called stiff person syndrome, but that progress has been difficult. “She is working hard, but she does not have control of her muscles. Vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. That is what really hits me.” MORE

Volcanic lava misses
small Icelandic town

Lava from a large volcanic eruption in Icelandappeared to be flowing away from the only town in the area, offering hope that homes and lives would be spared even though the seismic activity could last months. The eruption on Monday spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres into the air. The Icelandic government said the eruption is not a threat to life and there are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open. MORE

Majority of Canadians
want Trudeau to quit

12-17 – Canadians want Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down, but most don’t believe he will. New polling by Ipsos  for Global News found 69 per cent of Canadians feel Trudeau should resign as Liberal leader and prime minister. Ipsos CEO Darrell Bricker said they followed up with respondents on why they think Trudeau should step aside. While some just never liked  him to begin with, things got more interesting. There is regional consensus that Trudeau should go. This has historically been the case in the Prairies and parts of B.C., but now is this has seeped into Ontario and Quebec and even in Atlantic Canada, Bricker said. MORE

Mission clamping down
on secondary suites
12-17 – While senior governments strive to ease the housing crisis, Mission has created a new program requiring secondary suites to be register, with a new fee. Mission mayor Paul Horn said the new fee is to help plan in the city and to get an accurate count of unauthorized suites in the city.  “We have countless unauthorized suites out there. We don’t know how many. And those suites haven’t had an easy way to come in and become officially recognized with the city,” he said. MORE

Gun control regulations

get approval in senate
1215 – New gun regulations are set to get royal assent today after the senate passed Bill C-21 on gun control. The bill has been with the senate since May and will place stricter rules on hand guns and some rifles. MORE

Death rate rising for
homeless population

1215 – The death rate for homeless British Columbians has risen in recent years, reports the B.C. Coroner Service. At least 342 homeless people died in 2022, 75 more than in 2021, and 198 more than in 2020. From 2015 to 2022, 1,464 people have died. During that period the annual average was 143 deaths. That has more than doubled to 305. MORE

Government may revisit
assisted suicide rules
1215 – Opponents to widening assisted dying rules have new hope with Justice Minister Arif Virani saying the government is looking at pausing its original plan to include patients whose only underlying condition is a mental disorder. It would be the second time the Liberals have hit pause on the plan. In February the government imposed a one-year delay amid widespread public and political concern. Cabinet will consider the input of a joint parliamentary committee, as well as medical experts and other stakeholders, Virani said. MORE