Reports were made to both the City of Nanaimo and the BCCOS on Tuesday, June 2, related to an aggressive bear, which the Service said “bluff charged” a man and his children twice, while they walked along the trail.

“The BCCOS is advising the public to be aware of a black bear that has been frequenting the trails around Westwood Lake Park, particularly the southeast corner of the park,” a statement from the Ministry of Environment to NanaimoNewsNOW read.

No injuries have been reported in connection to the animal, and additional signage was posted on Tuesday, advising people of the risk.

“Conservation officers are working collaboratively with the City of Nanaimo to provide recommendations and information,” the Ministry’s statement continued.

Those venturing along the Westwood Lake Park trails are advised to ensure they’re familiar with safety precautions for bear and wildlife encounters, including “travelling in groups, leashing pets and carrying bear spray.”

The Ministry said Conservation officers “are continuing to monitor bear activity in the area and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety.”

Anyone who sees aggressive bear behaviour is asked to call the RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277.

Bear sightings this time of year are common on Vancouver Island, with animals awaking from winter hibernation and seeking food.

Isolated reports have been made across the region of human-bear interactions, however there have been no confirmed incidents similar to Westwood Lake’s recent encounter.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Coming out of the 19th warmest April in Nanaimo’s history, last month saw an average daily temperature of 14.9 degrees (Celsius), over two degrees above the 30-year average, with the Harbour City only receiving 20 per cent of its regular rainfall, making it the eighth driest May in 133 years.

Meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada Terri Lang told NanaimoNewsNOW 10.8 millimetres of rain fell at the Nanaimo Airport, well below the average of 54.3 millimetres.

“The beginning of the month was really quite warm, and very little in the way of below-average temperatures for the entire month.”

Much of Vancouver Island is already facing drought conditions, with local municipalities implementing water-use restrictions.

Lang said Nanaimo also broke multiple daily high-temperature records during an early-May heat wave.

On May 2, Nanaimo reached 27.4 degrees, breaking the 2016 record of 27.0 degrees.

The following day, the temperature hit 28.1 degrees, eclipsing the old mark of 25.6 degrees set in 1946.

Then on May 4, the mercury hit 29.1 degrees, smashing the previous record of 26.4 degrees from 1980.

Qualicum Beach also set a new benchmark for the day with temperatures at the airport reaching 28.9 degrees, shattering a 2013 record of 23.5 degrees.

Lang said it’s tough to predict how June will play out, but they are expecting higher-than-average temperatures for most of the country throughout the summer.

She said it’s even more difficult to predict future precipitation levels in the summer due to several factors, including storm instability and surrounding weather patterns.

“For the next little while, looks to be a little bit on the warm side, cooling off to more average temperatures, and then maybe another bit of a warm-up next week. It does show a chance of showers coming in on the weekend, and then again next week, so maybe bringing some relief.”

Lang said dry conditions mean being extra cautious when having a campfire in permitted areas and ensuring flammable items are disposed of safely.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

However, the newly adopted $18.25 minimum wage in place as of Monday, June 1 for most employees is still well behind the $24.40 per hour estimated to be required for full-time workers to pay for essentials like housing, food and childcare, as compiled by the Living Wage B.C. and BC Policy Alternatives.

B.C.’s rising minimum wage comes it a precarious time for the province’s economy, including many faces of the private sector.

Statistics Canada data showed April represented the third straight month of job losses in B.C. with a reduction of 4,300 jobs, with the accommodation and food sector among the hard hit sectors.

History of BC’s minimum wage over the last several years. (Image Credit: B.C. government)

As of the most recent Stats Canada data available, BC’s unemployment rate is 6.8 per cent, the highest level since 2016.

After historically having one of the lowest minimum wage rates in the province, B.C. now has the highest among all provinces, and is behind the territories Nunavut and Yukon at $19.75 and $18.51 respectively.

More information on the application of B.C.’s minimum wage structure is available here.

Current minimum wage levels in place across Canada. (Image Credit: Retail Council of Canada)

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Mounties from multiple detachments were engaged in the effort through the early morning hours of Tuesday, June 2, after Nanaimo RCMP say an adult man stole a Ford F-350 pickup truck from the Comox Valley and began heading south.

Nanaimo RCMP Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW officers attempted to intervene, but the suspect fled.

“He rammed those vehicles and proceeded southbound. There was a high risk to the public, so officers via Oceanside and eventually into the Nanaimo area allowed this vehicle to go through, understanding the risk to the public, the risk of the officers was too high.”

O’Brien said a variety of resources were deployed as a result, including the RCMP’s Air 8 helicopter and Police Dog Services.

The suspect, a 30-year-old man, was tracked to the Timberlands Rd. area, south of Nanaimo Airport, and arrested shortly after 9 a.m., Cst. O’Brien confirmed.

A majority of police were staged near Cameron Rd., with officers blocking traffic on Timberlands Rd. for much of Tuesday morning.

Investigators remained on scene for several hours in attempts to locate another vehicle with four people inside.

O’Brien said they were located a short time later, however one person remains outstanding with an active search attempting to locate them.

“At this point, there is damage to several police vehicles but no police officers or members of the public were injured in the apprehension of this vehicle.”

O’Brien added the driver of the stolen pickup truck is well known to police on Vancouver Island.

“The driver of the pickup truck was arrested on outstanding warrants and possession of stolen property and is facing multiple charges which may include flight from police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and other significant charges.”

— with files from Jordan Davidson and Ian Holmes.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Several healthcare workers who are planning to move, or have already arrived in Nanaimo, are reporting significant challenges finding a place to live where they can bring their four-legged family members.

Cassandra Lee is a nurse practitioner with an employment offer to begin work at a new clinic opening later this year in Nanaimo, but is facing the prospect of leaving Louisville, Kentucky, without a plan for where she’ll live.

Of the few pet-friendly rentals she’s been able to connect with, most only allow two dogs, which falls short of what she, her son and their three dogs need.

“I’ve posted cute pictures of my dogs, I explain how I manage them, I’ve got references, and I’m willing to pay pet fees. I’m a healthcare professional, I’m networking among other healthcare professionals without housing and reaching out to their leads and just not having any love as of right now. I’m landing in less than two months, and you know it can be very scary moving across country to a new country and not having a place to live.”

Lee is not alone.

She’s among a growing group of American healthcare professionals who’ve uprooted their lives in pursuit of a safer environment, better working conditions, and a sense of adventure in Nanaimo and the surrounding area.

Inspired by a pair of Nanaimo Infusion events, led by Tod and Jocelyn Maffin, Lee attended the one in April and was able to make some connections, cementing her goals of moving.

“The people of Nanaimo have been so generous and so kind when we’ve been there that you know something will come through for me and the other health care workers that are coming. Everybody loves animals, and there’s just got to be something out there for us that is okay for animals.”

Without a rental, Lee joked about crashing at the Maffin’s home but said her realistic plan is to find an Airbnb rental while she looks in person.

Leaving behind her two dogs in Wisconsin was not an option for Amy Miller, who moved with her family to Nanaimo at the start of the year. Finding housing was extra difficult with a bigger family and two pets. (Image Credit: Amy Miller)

Establishing local relationships appears to be a solution, at least for some.

Amy Miller is another nurse practitioner who moved to the region at the end of January and is working at a clinic in Nanaimo.

Currently in a short-term rental in Ladysmith, she, her family, and their two dogs will move into a longer-term home in Nanaimo on June 1.

“We’re a larger family, and we wanted to have a good amount of space. Finding a larger rental is hard enough as it is, they’re really quite rare. In a month…there’s maybe a dozen or so three bedrooms, but there’s only like two or three four bedrooms or larger houses that pop up on the market in this whole area.”

Miller told NanaimoNewsNOW adding in pets makes an already difficult search significantly harder.

“I understand that there is an inherent risk that comes with having pets…but if my pets damage something, whether it’s in the house that I own or a house that I’m renting, it’s my responsibility, because those [pets] are my responsibility, to fix those things, that’s what the security deposit is for.”

Ultimately, some creative thinking and work to establish relationships with people in the community led to the family moving into their long-term rental this month.

Miller said arranging meetings with landlords face-to-face helped alleviate some of their concerns and led to a favourable outcome.

“We put together referrals specifically for our dogs from the people that had watched our dogs when we were away on vacation, our veterinarian, and our neighbour. Just a letter saying what their behaviour is like, how they get along with people, how they get along with other pets, I think the vet included that we were responsible pet owners. Whether or not people actually look at those documents, I think it’s helpful to have put them together. It shows effort.”

She said landlords will play a role in ensuring the success of the healthcare infusion continues, and workers are able to find places to stay while they serve thousands awaiting care.

“If you want to build a community and help build the healthcare network in our community, I think you need to give people a chance. People can’t come here and work if they don’t have a place to live, and most will not move if they have to leave some of their family behind.”

Advocacy and a provincial promise

The BC NDP made a campaign promise during the 2024 election to “end bias against pet owners in purpose-built rental housing.”

In a statement from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs, the province said they understand the challenges renters with pets are facing, however landlord rights also need to be factored in.

“We acknowledge the concerns raised related to property damage, noise, health, and safety. These are also important considerations, especially as we continue to focus on increasing the supply of rental housing and supporting a healthy rental market.”

The statement said the province is “exploring options for pet policies in purpose-built rental buildings,” and the Residential Tenancy Branch is seeking ways to “make pet-friendly housing more accessible, while also striking the right balance between the rights and responsibilities of both tenants and landlords.”

Pressure on the province was applied in early April by the BC SPCA and First United Church Community Ministry Society in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Both groups called for action on the campaign promise, with First United forwarding a series of recommended amendments to the Residential Tenancy Act to ban pet restrictions in purpose-built rental buildings with five or more units.

Sarah Herring, SPCA’s senior officer of government relations, said they’ve advocated for these changes for nearly 20 years, and partnering with First United was an opportunity to reignite the topic.

She added over 12,000 animals have been surrendered at BC SPCA facilities since 2014, for the sole reason of owners being unable to find rental housing which allowed pets.

“They don’t need to be at the BC SPCA. They have families that love them and that want to continue caring for them, but they simply can’t find housing. We know that the real number of housing-related surrenders is probably a lot higher, because…those aren’t animals going to other rescue organizations, or ones that are rehomed privately, or sadly abandoned.”

Herring said while they would love to see more widespread changes to cover all rentals, their work initially is focusing on purpose-built rental buildings and not necessarily on private landlords renting basements or other suites.

The province responded to both groups earlier this year, Herring said, again affirming they are working on the issue, but without providing any specifics.

Herring noted a “common feeling” among landlords regarding pets causing extensive damage to homes, however data sourced by First United looked at all pet-related damage claims filed to the Residential Tenancy Board since 2018.

Approximately 82 per cent of all cases saw the cost of repair fully covered by already-paid damage deposits.

Americans considering a move to Nanaimo and who are needing assistance in their relocation, whether through housing or social connections can join a Facebook group dedicated to helping those relocating do so a little easier.

We’re on Bluesky! Stay up to date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky, by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Recently built at a Romanian shipyard, BC Ferries announced the Island xwsaĺux̌ul has arrived in B.C. waters, representing the first of four Island Class vessels to be added to the fleet.

Snuneymuxw First Nation-inspired Island xwsaĺux̌ul (pronounced xwus-saw-la-khwahl) is expected to enter service this summer between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island’s Descanso Bay, dependent on successful sea trials.

The first of four new Island Class vessels expected to arrive in B.C. over the coming year, adding Island xwsaĺux̌ul to the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island run will see Island Kwigis redeployed, intended to eventually become a refit relief vessel once all four new Island Class vessels are in operation.

“The vessel is designed to be battery-equipped, diesel-hybrid, and capable of operating exclusively on renewable electric power once shore-based charging infrastructure is available. This positions the vessel for future electric operation, with the goal of supporting a cleaner and quieter ferry system with reduced emissions and underwater radiated noise,” the BC Ferries release stated.

Island Class ferries are all designed to carry up to 47 vehicles, with passenger and crew capacity ranging between about 390 and 450 people, according to BC Ferries.

A second vessel to be called Island sarlequun (pronounced Sar-le-kwun), which means “people at Nanaimo Harbour”, is expected to be assigned to the Nanaimo-Gabriola route next year.

In 2022, a pair of Island Class vessels (Island Gwawis and Island Kwigis) began operating the Nanaimo-Gabriola Island 20-minute-long route.

Terminal upgrades are ongoing at Descanso Bay, after being completed on the Nanaimo side, which includes on-shore charging infrastructure.

New ferry deployments between Quadra and Cortes Island, as well as Crofton and Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) are planned with the expanding Island Class fleet.

Once all four Island Class vessels scheduled to arrive over the coming year are in operation, BC Ferries states they will become the company’s largest vessel class with 10 ships in total.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

The B.C. drought portal went live last week, with eastern Vancouver Island already at a level four out of five on the severity index as of Monday, June 1, encompassing areas north of Campbell River down to Sooke.

Natasha Cowie, hydrologist with the BC River Forecast Centre, said it’s “hard to say” at this point if this is the driest the Island has been at this point in the year, as no two years have the same weather conditions.

“It is pretty unusually challenging in terms of the level of dryness that we’re seeing right now. For example, we’re certainly seeing the lowest flows on record for the time of the year in quite a few rivers and streams on eastern Vancouver Island and across a lot of southern B.C. That is particularly concerning.”

Areas of Coastal B.C. and the southern interior are currently very dry, while the majority of the province remains at average levels for the start of June. (Image Credit: Government of BC Drought Portal)

Western Vancouver Island is only at drought level two currently, while western Kootenay region is a level four rating.

The Okanagan is the only part of B.C. already at level five, the highest severity possible, indicating the rare dry conditions and drought severity.

Cowie said a combination of three factors has led us to this point: low amounts of spring precipitation combined with warmer spring weather, causing an early mountain snow melt, which was already well below average.

“In the absence of significant additional precipitation, we could see some pretty profound deterioration, some pretty dry conditions across a lot of southern B.C., and that is certainly something pretty concerning and something we’re keeping a really close eye on.”

Only 44 per cent of the average mountain snow levels on Vancouver Island remained on April 1, plummeting to 11 per cent as of May 15.

Province-wide, 71 per cent of the average mountain snowpack level remained by the middle of May.

Cowie said impacts to surface water levels due to drought conditions can have major consequences for local ecosystems, affecting plants, animals and humans alike.

“You also start to see more depletion of groundwater, and that’s a really tough one, because once that groundwater is really significantly drawn down, it takes a longer time to really bring back a full recharge to it, there’s a lag time before it gets recharged.”

She said the deeper the deficit becomes, the more time and water is required to replenish low inventories.

So far, according to Cowie, it’s looking like a pretty dry summer is in store for much of coastal B.C., and if the severe drought continues through July and August, there would have to be near-record levels of precipitation in the fall and winter to get watershed levels back to normal.

“We can certainly hope to see some precipitation coming in, but that’s not in the near future yet. I’d just advise everyone to keep an eye on local conditions, and be aware we’re starting the summer with less water than we’d really like to have overall in our watersheds, and just be kind of mindful of that.”

Cowie warned the current trajectory could lead to drought conditions persisting well into next year.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 FM The Eagle

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) crews were called to Westwood Lake Park on Monday, June 1 just after 10:00 a.m. after a passerby noticed a vehicle was completely submerged underwater off the end of the First Beach boat launch.

Acting NFR Platoon Cpt. Orphee Bernard said crews first confirmed no one was inside the vehicle when they arrived on scene.

“We’re unsure as to how the car got in the water. It was called in by someone walking by this morning. This is obviously highly unusual for Westwood Lake to have a car fully submerged at the boat launch.”

It’s also unclear when the car, a Nissan Sentra with attached license plates, entered the water.

The investigation into how the vehicle became submerged is ongoing. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Bernard said a tow truck was able to remove the car from the water with a rope about an hour after they were first called to the scene.

City of Nanaimo workers were also on scene Monday morning, in case any fluids were leaking from the car, however booms brought to the beach weren’t determined to be necessary.

“We called Parks (Department) to make sure if there weren’t any fluids leaking out of the vehicle that could be dealt with right away, and there was no obvious signs of any fuel or oil or anything else that got out of the car, so there’s nothing to mitigate on their side so far.”

Aside from the boat launch area being obstructed, no other obstructions to park users resulted from the water-logged car.

Nanaimo RCMP officers were also on scene investigating.

The incident marks the second time three days Nanaimo Fire Rescue crews were dispatched to a vehicle from a lake.

On the morning of Friday, May 29 a vehicle was reported to be in Long Lake near its boat launch, which was later pulled out.

NFR crews watch for any signs of fluid leaks as the car is pulled out of Westwood Lake. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

A license plate and taillights of the vehicle were visible from the shoreline. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Parksville will move to stage three water restrictions, which limits watering to one day per week, with odd-numbered homes allowed to water on Mondays, and even-numbered on Thursdays.

Pop-up sprinkler systems to water lawns remain permitted, but only for one day per week and only for a two-hour window between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., or 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.

“The change to Level 3 is primarily driven by unseasonably warm and dry weather and low snowpack on Vancouver Island,” a release from the City notes. “Snowpack is currently critically low, sitting at about 20 per cent of normal seasonal average.”

Taking steps now is hoped to avoid harsher conservation measures later in the summer.

“Level 3 allows the City to maintain essential drinking water, hygiene and firefighting capabilities. Limiting non-essential uses like lawn watering will help to ensure sufficient flow for fish.”

Other restrictions under level three include specific windows for washing vehicles, RVs, boats or exterior surfaces.

The filling of pools, hot tubs or garden ponds can only occur on a house’s assigned day.

Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all water conservation measures, while businesses requiring water to operate are also free to continue as normal.

This includes the watering of municipal fields and the operation of nurseries.

Further changes to water restrictions could come in the days and weeks ahead, as Regional District of Nanaimo officials routinely review conditions and assess forecasts.

Meanwhile, the Town of Ladysmith has moved to stage two water restrictions as of June 1, which includes the Town, Diamond Improvement District, and Stz’uminus First Nation.

More information on Ladysmith’s water restrictions can be found here on their website.

A quick guide to water restrictions for the Town of Ladysmith, currently in stage two as of June 1. (Image Credit: Town of Ladysmith)

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Intersection crash data released by ICBC revealed 523 reported combined collisions at Nanaimo’s 10 highest crash junctions in 2025, down slightly from 530 in 2024, and reduced further from 537 in 2022.

Leading the way for intersection motor vehicle collisions in the Harbour City last year was the Island Hwy. at Bowen Rd./Norwell Dr. with 66 crashes, down from 73 in 2024.

The central Nanaimo intersection had the fifth most reported crashes last year on Vancouver Island, down from the second-highest in 2024.

Nanaimo’s top ten crash-prone intersections in 2025. (Image Credit: ICBC)

Last year saw 616 red-light runners nabbed at the central Nanaimo intersection, the second most since the intersection was monitored for red-light violators by the B.C. government beginning in 2020.

Three Nanaimo intersections factored into the top ten list on Vancouver Island’s highest crash list last year, down from five in 2024.

Lantzville’s highest crash intersection in 2025 was the Nanaimo Parkway at Aulds Rd., representing 50 collisions, down from 58 in 2024.

ICBC data indicated there were 99 reported collisions in Parksville last year, the same number as 2024.

Parksville’s Island Hwy./Morrison Ave. intersection reported 15 crashes in 2025, down from 20 the prior year.

In Qualicum Beach, 61 crashes combined reported last year at the community’s 10 most crash-prone intersections, representing a drop from 68 in 2024.

Nanoose Bay’s Island Hwy. at NW Bay Rd. (Petro Canada service station) intersection had 17 reported crashes in 2025.

Vancouver Island wide, 11,560 intersection crashes were reported last year to ICBC, down by 10 collisions from the prior year.

The Island’s highest crash-prone intersections last year. (Image Credit: ICBC)

Updated fatality data from intersection crashes is not yet available for last year on Vancouver Island, however the prior five-year average was 10 people losing their lives annually in collisions at Island intersections.

Across the province, 107,977 intersection crashes occurred in 2025, down by 169 from the prior year.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook