Tag Archives: Business & Economy
BC Hydro upgrading reliability on Gabriola & Mudge Island
NANAIMO - A multi-million dollar project is nearing completion to improve service for BC Hydro customers on Gabriola and Mudge islands.Spokesperson Karla Louwers said they are adding a second distribu...
Jul 16, 2019 BC Hydro says a new distribution circuit to Gabriola and Mudge islands will address load constraints and improve reliability. However, spokesperson Karla Louwers said the upgrades likely won't impact storm related service disruptions, since both islands are so heavily treed. (BC Hydro)
Strike negotiations between union, Western Forest Products slow with disputes over mediators
NANAIMO - A further roadblock was erected on the path towards the end of strike action between the United Steelworkers Union and Western Forest Products. USW 1-1937 president Brian Butler announced Fr...
Jul 12, 2019 The USW says they can't believe Western Forest Products wouldn't want respected mediator Vince Ready working on their dispute. (USW 1-1937)
Nanaimo building permits exceed $300M so far in 2019
NANAIMO - It's been a banner year for construction in Nanaimo, exceeding what was already expected to be a significant surge. The City of Nanaimo confirmed roughly $230 million in residential construc...
Jul 08, 2019 Roughly 1,300 housing units are being built across Nanaimo, whether they be single-family, multi-family or hotel. (City of Nanaimo)
1 of 3 cruise ships visiting Nanaimo forced to cancel
NANAIMO - The last cruise ship to arrive in Nanaimo for the 2019 season unfortunately won't be making a visit to the harbour city. The Silver Explorer was one of only three cruise ships scheduled to v...
Jul 05, 2019 The Silver Explorer was set to bring more than 100 tourists to Nanaimo on July 11. (Silversea)
Thousands of Island forestry workers walk off the job onto picket lines
NANAIMO - Operations at Western Forest Products facilities have come to a halt as employees take strike action. Approximately 3,000 employees primarily on Vancouver Island walked off the job on Monday...
Jul 02, 2019 Roughly 3,000 Western Forest Products employees are off the job and on the picket lines after strike action. (USW 1-1937)
RDN director passes away in hiking accident
NANAIMO - A well known mid-island business leader turned politician has passed away in a hiking accident at Strathcona Provincial Park.Clarke Gourlay, of family-owned Little Qualicum Cheeseworks and M...
Jul 02, 2019 Clarke Gourlay passed away following a hiking accident at Strathcona Provincial Park on Saturday, June 29. Gourlay was serving his first term in office as an RDN director. (Little Qualicum Cheeseworks)
Global boom in natural gas is undermining climate change action: report
OTTAWA - The Global Energy Monitor says an international boom in liquefied natural gas exports is undermining global efforts to stop climate change and Canada is one of the industry's biggest pla...
Jul 02, 2019
New assessment finding solutions to lack of child care spaces in Nanaimo and area
NANAIMO - It's hoped a new assessment will provide a never-seen-before look at the lack of child care space across the Nanaimo area. The City of Nanaimo is now working with the Regional District of Na...
Jun 25, 2019 A new assessment will look at the lack of child care spaces across the Regional District of Nanaimo in an effort to craft further helpful changes. (The Canadian Press)
Suddenly-pulled funding latest setback for Nanaimo to Vancouver fast ferry
NANAIMO - Another summer will come and go without an often-promised fast ferry from Nanaimo to Vancouver. "If this was easy, somebody else would have done it," David Marshall with Island Ferries Servi...
Jun 25, 2019 Dropping this model of a Nanaimo to Vancouver fast ferry into the water would be the closest the project has come to launching over the last five years. (Island Ferries Services)
Vastly expanded Nanaimo night market debuts for second season
NANAIMO - A much bigger Commercial St. Night Market experience hits Nanaimo Thursday nights for the rest of the summer.The second annual Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce event debuts Thursday, June...
Jun 20, 2019 Thursday nights will be packed in downtown Nanaimo through the end of August. Season two of the popular Commercial St. Night Market debuts Thursday, June 20. (Dirk Heydemann/HA Photography)