Business & Economy

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

Tourism Vancouver Island bows out of Nanaimo contract, review underway for replacement

NANAIMO - Shifting priorities after the COVID-19 pandemic has brought changes to who handles the Tourism Nanaimo file. Tourism Vancouver Island, one year into a five year contract and three years into...

Oct 26, 2020

Thousands of fish feed local lakes, license sales surge during pandemic

NANAIMO - Nearly 7,000 trout and counting have been piped into lakes in Nanaimo by staff with the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC).The FFSBC stocking report showed six lakes in Nanaimo have ...

Oct 24, 2020

Record-setting number of new COVID 19 cases announced in B.C., exposure event in Port Alberni school

NANAIMO - Social gatherings are blamed for B.C. breaking the provincial record for new daily cases. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed 274 new cases of COVID-19 in the province. This...

Oct 22, 2020

'First guys out:' western Canadian air tanker fleet busy despite drop in wildfires

RED DEER, Alta. - A family-run company providing air-tanker support to control menacing wildfires in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Yukon is a little less busy these days, but it has nothing ...

Oct 19, 2020

Global Village Nanaimo aims to help keep COVID-19 impacted fair trade producers in business

NANAIMO - Disadvantaged worldwide producers are depending on fair trade retailers like Global Village Nanaimo (GVN) more than ever.Nanaimo's non-profit seasonal fair trade store opened earlier this mo...

Oct 18, 2020

Construction costs rise as Van Isle industry grapples with COVID-19

NANAIMO - A Vancouver Island construction insider says customers can expect costs to continue creeping up as companies deal with COVID-19 protocols and supply challenges.Rory Kulmala, CEO of the Vanco...

Oct 02, 2020

VIDEO: 60 years since Nanaimo's last ever Chinatown destroyed in massive fire

NANAIMO - The Harbour City was forever altered 60 years ago when a devastating fire ripped through the city's last ever Chinatown. Dozens of tightly packed wooden buildings on both sides of Pine St. w...

Alex Rawnsley Sep 30, 2020

Deficit on track to hit $330 billion with COVID effects lasting years, says PBO

OTTAWA - The parliamentary budget office says the federal deficit for the year is on track to hit $328.5 billion as a result of COVID-19. That figure released this morning reflects measures announced ...

Sep 29, 2020

Public skywalk, rooftop garden and returning the clock tower envisioned by new Woodgrove Centre owner

NANAIMO - Condo towers and a public skywalk system connected to a large rooftop garden are just a few development plans at Woodgrove Centre.Vancouver Island's largest shopping centre changed hands rec...

Sep 28, 2020