Business & Economy

Nanaimo hotels signal need for federal help to survive COVID-19 pandemic

NANAIMO - Hotel operators face an uncertain future as they survey the widespread damage inflicted by COVID-19. Dan Brady, executive director of the Nanaimo Hospitality Association, told NanaimoNewsNOW...

Jun 16, 2020

WestJet announces additional Nanaimo to Calgary flights

NANAIMO - More flights are slowly being added to the schedule at Nanaimo Airport as COVID-19 restrictions ease.WestJet announced two additional weekly flights on its direct Nanaimo to Calgary service ...

Jun 15, 2020

Migrant workers hold virtual rally seeking full immigration status

TORONTO - A group supporting migrant workers held a virtual rally Sunday that called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to immediately extend full immigration status for all non-permanent residents. The...

Jun 14, 2020

Liberals look at buying distressed buildings to save stock of affordable housing

soOTTAWA - A new analysis of the country's stock of affordable housing suggests the Liberals' decade-long strategy to provide more of it is starting in a deeper hole than previously thought, and may b...

Jun 14, 2020

Summer by the Sea market scaled back to meet COVID-19 landscape

PARKSVILLE - A staple of summer in the Oceanside region will look vastly different this year.The weekly 'Summer by the Sea' market on Craig St. was scrapped in order to comply with COVID-19-related he...

Jun 04, 2020

BC Ferries service from Departure Bay resumes after COVID-19 suspension

NANAIMO - Daily ferry service has returned to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.Beginning Wednesday, June 3, BC Ferries will complete four daily round trips between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, down from t...

Jun 03, 2020

Vancouver Island COVID-19 cases remain stagnant, four confirmed across B.C.

NANAIMO - The good news continues to flow for Vancouver Island and British Columbia in its battle against COVID-19.Just four new cases were announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry on T...

Jun 02, 2020

'A new face, a new evolution:' Qualicum Beach East Village refit receives funding boost

QUALICUM BEACH - The long sought-after rebuild of a run-down part of Qualicum Beach is another step closer to reality.The Island Coastal Economic Trust committed $250,000 in funding for the project on...

May 30, 2020

Oilpatch advocates tell MPs help needs to be faster, easier to get

OTTAWA - Representatives from Canada's oilpatch say they don't know of a single energy company that has yet benefited from any of Ottawa's COVID-19-inspired loan programs. Several company ow...

May 28, 2020

Tourism operators navigate COVID-19 restart through homegrown support program

NANAIMO - Few industries have been hammered as hard by COVID-19 than tourism, however a support program is helping navigate local businesses through the pandemic.In April, Tourism Vancouver Island lau...

May 26, 2020