Business & Economy

NHL, players reach tentative deal for 56-game season

The National Hockey League and players reached a tentative deal Friday to hold a 56-game season in 2021, pending the approval of each side's executive board and Canadian health officials.The season wo...

Dec 19, 2020

Work to finally resume at large affordable housing project on Nanaimo's Brechin United Church property

NANAIMO - Construction of a long-stalled affordable housing initiative and church redevelopment is expected to continue shortly after "significant issues" arose with the previous contractor.More than ...

Dec 15, 2020

$1,000 COVID-19 benefit could be in families wallets by Christmas

VICTORIA - Most British Columbians will be able to apply for and receive a tax-free COVID-19 direct deposit by the end of the year.The pledge by finance minister Selina Robinson was made during a Tues...

Dec 08, 2020

Environmental groups keep fighting KXL despite Biden's promise to block pipeline

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Critics of Canada's most controversial cross-border pipeline projects aren't taking their demise for granted under president-elect Joe Biden. A new report from the U.S.-based Rainfo...

Dec 08, 2020

'I didn't think it would be that bad:' local businesses bank on big end to 2020

NANAIMO - This year has unleashed endless stress upon local business operators, impacting the mental and physical health of employees and customers. Retailers and service providers rely on cashing in ...

Nov 27, 2020

Black Friday shopping in a pandemic: COVID-19 closes some stores, sales move online

Black Friday, the one-day shopping bonanza known for its big bargains and large crowds, has arrived. While rising COVID-19 cases and weeks of staggered deals have muted the usual fanfare of the shoppi...

Nov 27, 2020

Shop local message amplified as Nanaimo retailers enter critical holiday shopping season

NANAIMO - Retail advocates say a strong finish to a difficult year is paramount for operators to weather the COVID-19 storm.Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Kim Smythe said batter...

Nov 26, 2020

Keystone XL not the same project John Kerry nixed in 2015, Canada's U.S. envoy says

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Canada's ambassador to the United States says the Keystone XL pipeline project has evolved since John Kerry nixed it in 2015. President-elect Joe Biden has named Kerry, former...

Nov 24, 2020

Fossil fuels to decline but remain big player in Canada's energy use by 2050: report

OTTAWA - The Canada Energy Regulator says reaching net-zero emissions over the next 30 years will to require a much more aggressive transition away from oil and gas.The annual Energy Futures report re...

Nov 24, 2020

New cell tower in Qualicum Beach to provide more reliable service

QUALICUM BEACH - Spotty wireless service in portions of Qualicum Beach are expected to be addressed within the next couple of years.Telus is advancing plans to construct a 45-metre cellular tower on t...

Oct 29, 2020