Tag Archives: Business & Economy
Premier Kenney predicts 25 per cent unemployment in Alberta due to COVID-19
CALGARY - Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has a grim prediction for workers in his province.He says there may well be 25 per cent unemployment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.He has told an energy i...
Apr 07, 2020
Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay BC Ferries route nixed during COVID-19 pandemic
NANAIMO - Ferry travel to and from Nanaimo will soon be severely limited as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. BC Ferries announced new routes starting Saturday, April 4. The entire Departure Bay to Hor...
Apr 03, 2020 There will soon only be four sailings from Nanaimo to the Lower Mainland during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Former Nanaimo resident in Spain makes impassioned COVID-19 plea to Canadians
NANAIMO - When COVID-19 cases started regularly showing up in Europe in early February, Michelle Lorusso wasn't overly concerned. The former Nanaimo resident, now in her fifth year living in Spain, sa...
Mar 26, 2020 The streets are quiet in Pamplona, Spain, beneath the apartment of Michelle Lorusso. COVID-19 is an increasing concern in the northern Spain city of 250,000 near the France border. (Michelle Lorusso)
Province announces $500 a month to help impacted COVID-19 tenants and landlords
NANAIMO - Measures will soon be in place to help renters and landlords struggling to pay their bills in the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan and housing minister Selina Robinson announced and de...
Mar 25, 2020 B.C. premier John Horgan announced a $500 a month aid package for those worried about paying rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Gov't of B.C.)
Province announces $5 billion COVID-19 aid package
NANAIMO - B.C.'s Finance Minister described a multi-billion dollar aid fund as an initial step in providing financial relief to British Columbians during the COVID-19 crisis.Carole James unveiled the ...
Mar 23, 2020 Finance Minister Carole James said a $5 billion dollar fund is an initial start to help British Columbians recover from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. (The Canadian Press)
COVID-19 precautions mean free transit for Nanaimo and area riders
NANAIMO - Efforts to promote social distancing and limit face-to-face encounters are having a positive benefit for bus riders. The Regional District of Nanaimo announced all their buses will be loaded...
Mar 20, 2020 RDN Transit riders will now enter through the rear doors of all buses, unless they have mobility challenges at which point they can use the front. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce dismayed at communication gaps in gov't response to COVID-19
NANAIMO - The province's announcement ministers will reconvene on Monday, March 23 to pass legislation about the economic impacts of COVID-19 did not sit well with some at the frontlines. "Waiting unt...
Mar 19, 2020 B.C.'s public safety minister Mike Farnworth (left), federal finance minister Bill Morneau (centre) and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (right), who all made major announcements on Wednesday. (The Canadian Press)
Nanaimo restaurants brace for COVID-19 financial impact
NANAIMO - Tables are sitting empty and kitchens are quiet at many Nanaimo restaurants. In the wake of the province limiting public gatherings to 50 people, many Nanaimo restaurants are closing their d...
Mar 17, 2020 Many Nanaimo restaurants are bracing for a significant impact from the COVID-19 crisis. (Pixabay)
Long-in-the-works solid waste management plan approved for Regional District of Nanaimo
NANAIMO - The goal of diverting more waste from the Cedar landfill is closer than ever. B.C.'s ministry of environment approved on March 5, 2020 the solid waste management plan put forward by the Regi...
Mar 13, 2020 Work can now move ahead to divert 90 per cent of waste in the Regional District of Nanaimo. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo city council takes forward steps towards plastic bag ban
NANAIMO - It appears to be only a matter of time before shoppers in Nanaimo won't have the option to carry their goods away in plastic bags.Nanaimo councillors unanimously endorsed on Monday a motion ...
Mar 10, 2020 A ban on plastic bags is widely supported by Nanaimo councillors, who voted in favour of reworking existing bylaws and forwarding it to senior government for approval. (File photo/The Canadian Press)