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Nanaimo, Parksville and Area

heading to jail
'Like trading cards in school:' mid-Island man sent to jail for sharing child abuse images
Editors note: This article contains details of the sexual abuse of children. Reader discretion is strongly advised. NANAIMO - A 39-year-old man will spend the next eight months behind bars followed by two years probation for admitting to possessing and sharing graphic and violent child pornography. Corey Samuel Robinso...
Mar 28, 2025
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when the walls fell
Demolition underway for former Howard Johnson hotel property in Nanaimo
NANAIMO - The landscape of the gateway to downtown Nanaimo is finally changing, after years of sitting dormant.Demolition crews ramped up their work at the former Howard Johnson hotel site at the corner of Terminal Ave. and Comox Rd. this week, after starting their site preparation and other work late last year.Excavat...
Mar 28, 2025
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readjustment
B.C. Premier David Eby walking back tariff bill after 'anxiety' from stakeholders
VANCOUVER - British Columbia Premier David Eby says his government is walking back a key portion of its controversial tariff response law, admitting the proposed legislation "didn't get the balance right." He says the legislation known as Bill 7 needs appropriate "safeguards" after a wave of critici...
Mar 28, 2025
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campaign stop
Conservative leader pitches life sentences for 'very worst offenders' at Nanaimo campaign visit
NANAIMO - Locking away fentanyl and human traffickers, as well as firearms dealers formed the backbone of a campaign stop in the Harbour City.Speaking at Western Forest Products at Duke Point on Friday, March 28, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre outlined his plans to introduce life sentences for "those who com...
Mar 28, 2025
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price pressures
'Rather uncertain right now:' tariffs, summer & carbon tax causing Island gas price fluctuations
NANAIMO - 'Uncertainty' is a word being used a lot to describe how gas prices may change in the coming weeks and months. A number of factors are at play, according to GasBuddy's Patrick De Haan who said a change in policy direction from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on volume of oil produ...
Mar 28, 2025
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simple tech
UBC scientists invent stir stick that detects drugged drinks
VANCOUVER - Researchers at the University of British Columbia say they're gearing up to start "real-world testing" of a stir stick that can detect if a drink has been spiked with drugs. The university says in a news release that the device called "Spikeless" was developed in its faculty of applied s...
Mar 27, 2025
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British Columbia

Raffi says he's working on a song about democracy written for kids
VANCOUVER - Children's singer Raffi says he's planning a song about democracy written especially for young listeners. The "Baby Beluga" creator says the idea came to him about a week ago, and since then, he's been working away on the lyrics. He says they'll include the line "A, B, C, D - democracy."...
23m ago
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Tesla protests planned across Canada as part of international 'day of action'
Hundreds of protests at Tesla showrooms around the world are expected today, including multiple ones organized in provinces across Canada. The events, dubbed the Tesla Takedown's Global Day of Action, is the latest demonstration by those who object to the role Tesla CEO Elon Musk has played in the administration of U.S...
11h ago
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Single, album of the year to be announced at tonight's Juno Awards industry gala
VANCOUVER - Some of Canada's rising stars and biggest names are set to be honoured tonight at the Juno Awards industry gala in Vancouver. Winners in more than 40 categories will be announced, including for single and album of the year, as well as a new Juno recognizing South Asian music. Folk singer Sarah Harmer will r...
20h ago
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Does artificial intelligence deserve a seat in Canada's courtrooms?
VANCOUVER - The case law looked real to Fraser MacLean. It was December 2023 and the Vancouver-based family court lawyer was reading citations in an application by opposing counsel Chong Ke, who wanted an order allowing the children of her client to visit him in China. "I read it there in the courtroom for the fir...
22h ago
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Michael Bublé says hosting Junos speaks for his national pride
VANCOUVER - Michael Bublé says he's letting his actions speak for his national pride by hosting the Juno Awards in Vancouver this weekend, as Canada-U.S. tensions surge in the background. Bublé says he doesn't want to "add to the energy of a troll" by being too vocal amid the dispute but is inst...
Mar 28, 2025
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Respiratory season ends, B.C. launching spring COVID-19 vaccination campaign
British Columbia's top doctor says respiratory illness season has come to an end, but the province will soon launch a spring COVID-19 immunization campaign and encourage everyone to ensure they're fully protected against measles. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says COVID-19 hospitalizations have hit the low...
Mar 28, 2025
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Canada

Juno Award winners from the pre-telecast of the music celebration
VANCOUVER - The Juno Awards handed out the bulk of its trophies at a non-televised bash in Vancouver Saturday. Here's a look at some of the winners: Single of the year: "Exes" by Tate McRae Artist of the year: Tate McRae Adult alternative album of the ...
29m ago
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U.S. helicopter company to fight lawsuit by Savoura CEO's estate in 2019 Quebec crash
MONTREAL - A U.S. helicopter manufacturer said Saturday it intends to challenge a $50-million wrongful death lawsuit filed by the estate of a Quebec greenhouse magnate over a 2019 fatal crash. David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Compa...
10h ago
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Canadian Tesla protests part of 'day of action' amid fractured U.S. relationship
VANCOUVER - Canadians in several major cities held demonstrations at Tesla dealerships as part of an international "day of action" aimed at the company's CEO Elon Musk and his role within the American government amid the fractured relationship between ...
11h ago
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Quebec university publishes guidelines for staff, students travelling to the U.S.
MONTREAL - Université de Montréal has issued a series of guidelines this week to students and staff who will be travelling to the United States for academic purposes amid what it described as growing anxiety among members of the community. Rector Dani...
13h ago
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Poilievre, Singh focus on affordability, Carney visits his Ottawa riding
OTTAWA - Affordability measures dominated the promises on the federal election trail on Saturday, with the NDP focused on capping the price of some food items and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre offering more tax writeoffs to some trades workers. ...
20h ago
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Does artificial intelligence deserve a seat in Canada's courtrooms?
VANCOUVER - The case law looked real to Fraser MacLean. It was December 2023 and the Vancouver-based family court lawyer was reading citations in an application by opposing counsel Chong Ke, who wanted an order allowing the children of her client to v...
22h ago
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