News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Andrew Hory has been re-elected as chair of the board of directors for the Regional District of Mount Waddington, while Michelle Pottage has taken on the role of vice-chair.
LGL Limited has been assigned with developing a Seaweed Industry Development Plan for the Regional District of Mount Waddington, with support from Canadian Kelp Research, BCL Biotechnologies Ltd., and Lighthouse Environmental Consulting.
The Sanala Culturally Supportive Housing Society opened its new space at the North Island Mall on November 28.
The Quatse Estuary Pavilion’s new floor construction is complete.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Klahoose Wilderness Resort has been named the Indigenous Tourism Business of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
Plume Holistic Medi Spa held an open house on December 8th to unveil their new cedar steam sauna.
The downtown McDonald‘s has successfully reopened, and they are currently fundraising for the Qwalayu House by donating proceeds from every coffee sold until December 31st.
COMOX VALLEY
Luke Clarke-Kelly has joined the team at Dynamic Spine, Sport & Wellness in Courtenay.
The Lake Park Society (LPS) commemorates a decade of management over Cumberland Lake Park & Campground in accordance with its agreement with the Village of Cumberland.
Wheels for Wellness in Comox Valley is ceasing operations and will conclude its regular service on December 31.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Robyn Mair and Monika Scott of Mint Cleaning scored a huge investment on CBC’s Dragons’ Den, which sparked a viewing party at Ucluelet’s Black Rock Resort.
The Barkley Community Forest Corporation intends to expand by establishing roots for additional recreational activities while cutting its yearly cut in half.
PORT ALBERNI
To meet federal government demand for shipbreaking services (marine vessel disposal) in Canada, Canadian Maritime Engineering’s president and vice-president of operations met with City of Port Alberni councilors to discuss options to offer shipbreaking services in Port Alberni.
Chims Motel, owned by Naomi and Ed Nicholson of the Tseshaht First Nation, was presented with the 2024 Business Investment award at the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards on November 29, 2024.
The Blue Marlin Inn Presents Sail Past 2024 on December 15 at the Harbor Quay waterfront. The event raises funds for the Salvation Army.
The Beaver Creek Volunteer Fire Department is hosting their annual food drive. Donate at Buy-Low Foods now until December 31,
To meet federal government demand for shipbreaking services (marine vessel disposal) in Canada, Canadian Maritime Engineering’s president and vice-president of operations met with City of Port Alberni councilors to discuss options to offer shipbreaking services in Port Alberni.
Shalaya Valenzuela, a member of Tseshaht First Nation who was on the Canadian women’s rugby team earning silver at the Paris Olympics, has reached new achievements. Her University of British Columbia team captured the national women’s university (rugby 15s) crown, and Valenzuela took part in a pair of HSBC SVNS tournaments in the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.
Western Coast Clothing has officially opened a new storefront at The Cove Beauty Collective.
Coulson Aviation has officially launched an online store for merchandise, including items featuring the iconic Martin Mars water bombers.
The MV Francis Barkley, operated by Lady Rose Marine Services, is scheduled for a refit January and February.
The Nut House, by Unilo Food, is hosting a grand opening December 11 in Port Alberni’s Uptown shopping area. The store carries middle eastern food and retail goods.
The Port Alberni Port Authority has launched a Dock+ market survey to gather feedback about their food hub commercial kitchen and food processing facility at Tyee Landing.
According to Insolvency Insider, San Industries Ltd. et al. (the “San Group”), a group of British Columbia-based lumber companies, obtained CCAA protection on November 29. The San Group was founded in 1979 and operates a multi-faceted forest products enterprise involving harvesting timber within British Columbia, transporting the timber to a sawmill in Port Alberni for primary processing, transferring the processed lumber to re-manufacturing facilities to create lumber products, and selling those products to end users. The San Group currently has approximately 250 employees. Historically, the San Group has run its operations profitably, but says it began facing significant liquidity challenges in 2023 due to external factors including an erosion in the lumber markets, inflationary pressures which increased labour and other input costs, and rapidly escalating interest rates. Compounding these issues was the closure of BC Highway 4 — the only highway that connects the island’s two coasts — over summer 2023 due to a wildfire on Vancouver Island. The San Group attempted to negotiate a restructuring with its primary lenders, BDC and RBC (formerly HSBC), but was ultimately unsuccessful. BDC is currently owed over $43 million, while RBC is owed over $105 million. The purpose of the CCAA proceedings is to implement a monitor-run SISP, as the current ownership and management intend to participate as a bidder. Deloitte is the monitor. KPMG is the financial advisor to the San Group. Counsel is Farris for the San Group, Fasken for RBC, Blakes for the monitor and BLG for BDC.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Matthew Ney has joined French Creek Physiotherapy located at 897 Island Highway W #101, Parkville.
The Oceanside Hearing Clinic has opened at 103-543 Stanford Ave. E, Parksville.
A 3 per cent gain (compared to the same period in 2023) brought the benchmark price in the PQB area to $885,900, according to the most recent data published by the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board. This time last month, the going rate was $896,400.
Ashley Kuramoto, a teacher at Qualicum Beach, has received a nomination for the Women of Influence award.
The Society of Organized Services, the Oceanside Family Program, the Tumaini Fund, and Quilts For Babies were among the four PQB groups that benefited from the funds provided by the weekly bottle drop held at Speedy Glass by the Rotary Club of Parksville.
In 2026, the lacrosse box at Parksville Community Park is set for refurbishment and expansion, with an estimated budget of $750,000.
Qualified and experienced companies are invited to submit Statements of Qualification to the Regional District of Nanaimo in order to develop a standardized public notifications strategy and an evacuation plan for RDN Electoral Area G, which includes the cities of Parksville and Qualicum Beach. Submissions and inquiries should be sent to Erica Beauchamp, Manager, Emergency Services.
NANAIMO
Russel Metals has acquired Tampa Bay Steel, which will join their Southern US businesses.
Naomi Bailey, former vice-chairperson of the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools board, has been acclaimed as the new board chairperson.
The Nanaimo Regional District‘s budget for 2025 calls for a tax increase of 10 per cent.
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation has surpassed its Giving Tuesday goal, raising $505,000. This funding will provide all six incubators needed by the NICU team, along with a specialized transport stretcher for ambulance use and a fetal monitor!
Howe Sound Marine, a reputable brand in maritime services since 1992, was acquired by Port Boat House. Howe Sound Marine, based out of Lions Bay Marina, has provided exceptional service to the West Vancouver areas, specializing in the sales and maintenance of Yamaha outboards, Mercury Mercruisers, and Volvo Pentas.
The Island Roots Farmers’ Market Co-op in Nanaimo has made a significant economic impact, totaling $1.5 million annually. This includes $1.01 million from direct sales and an additional $543,000 generated for nearby businesses.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce‘s Small Business Christmas Luncheon is set on December 12 at the Coast Bastion Hotel.
MNP is pleased to announce that it will join forces with the Surrey-based firm, Nurmohamed & Associates Inc., effective February 1, 2025. Founder Amin Nurmohamed, CPA, CA, Aziz Nurmohamed, CPA, CGA, along with their team will join MNP.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The province has issued a water permit to Elk Ridge Estates in anticipation of the massive development project the company intends to construct in the Paldi region.
Plantitude – Kind Food will be sharing space with Ladysmith’s In the Beantime at its new location at 431 First Ave.
Inclusion support teachers and other activities will be funded by the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school system with surplus funds from the 2023–24 school year.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Nourish Cowichan co-founder, Fatima Da Silva, has been awarded the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award by the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce.
Judy Stafford has announced her retirement after serving as the Cowichan Green Community‘s executive director for 17 years.
Susan Smith, who has dedicated 18 years as a volunteer at the Cowichan Green Community, will be retiring from the organization.
Officially sworn in as a councillor of the Cowichan Tribes on December 10, D’Arcy Joe Jr. takes Debra Toporowski’s position at the First Nation’s governing table. Toporowski was elected as the NDP MLA for the Cowichan Valley in the October provincial election.
According to Ian Morrison, director of Cowichan Lake South/Skutz Falls, Island Health is making every effort to hire personnel for the new Cowichan District Hospital. He stated that between 200 and 300 additional medical professionals are anticipated to be needed to staff the new facility.
Starting in April, fares on the Nanaimo-Cowichan express bus may decrease from $7.50 to $5 per trip. This recommendation comes from the Cowichan Valley Regional District’s committee of the whole during a meeting with the NCX board on Nov. 13.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce has achieved 630 members.
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