News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The Port Alice Heritage Golf Club is pleased to announce the completion of two significant improvements: new heat pumps and a new roof.
Joyce Wilby of Alert Bay was awarded at the BC Medal of Good Citizenship award ceremony November 21, 2025, in the Legislative Assembly’s Hall of Honour in Victoria.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Poseidon Ocean Systems has secured $20 million in funding from Export Development Canada (EDC), thereby expediting the global expansion and influence of our technologies.
Island Escape Rooms & Hobbies has opened at #105-938 Island Highway.
Ryan Sandul has been awarded Seymour Pacific Developments’ Golden Hammer Award.
Campbell River Council has authorized the issuance of new five-year licenses to the Tidemark Theatre Society, the Campbell River Maritime Heritage Society, and the Campbell River & District Art Gallery.
The Campbell River Chamber is celebrating their last B2B Mixer on December 11, from 5-6:30 pm at the Coast Discovery Inn.
BC Buy Local Week, coordinated by LOCO, runs from December 1 to 7, 2025.
COMOX VALLEY
The Smoked Boerenkaas from Courtenay’s Natural Pastures Cheese Company won a gold award at the 2025 World Cheese Awards in Bern, Switzerland.
Comox received recognition from Nature Canada as an Intermediate Bird Friendly City, joining a small group of Canadian cities that have been recognized for their efforts to safeguard urban bird populations.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting Member 101 on December 4, at the chamber’s business hub in downtown Courtenay.
The Ugly Sweater Soiree, an annual fundraiser for Santa’s Workshop Comox Valley will be hosted at RAD Brewing Company on 10th December.
Berwick Comox Valley has been nominated for the 2025 Comox Valley Chamber Award – Business of the Year (10+ employees).
Pharmasave Courtenay is celebrating their one year anniversary at 101-397 5th Street.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM BEACH
Omar Karim
Dr. Omar Karim has been named the new Interim Executive Director at Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce.
Pizza Pizza Parksville is looking for an Assistant Manager to join its team.
The Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce‘s 12 Days of Surprises Christmas Party is scheduled on December 9th at the Qualicum Beach Cafe and Inn.
Pat Jacobson, a longtime community volunteer, has received Council’s 2025 Above & Beyond Award for her outstanding commitment to civic involvement, environmental sustainability, and community service.
Shockwave Therapy Clinic Vancouver Island has announced their new name and identity, TrueWave Integrative Health Clinic. They offer a holistic patient-centered approach with a nurse-led RN Team.
Little Qualicum Cheeseworks’ Christmas on the Farm is happening on December 6th, from 10am -3 pm.
The Mid Island Health Alliance is set to open the Primrose Medical Centre in September 2026 with Dr. Kelly Hadfield assuming the role of incoming medical director.
PORT ALBERNI
Belle’s Haircare Boutique Salon is celebrating 10 years in business.
Dough Baked Goods is now operating out of Wesco foods.
The Savoy Theatre has installed their new sign.
The Starboard Grill has moved into their new location on Gertrude Street and are offering catering services.
Arrowsmith Animal Hospital is now open for business.
Ocean Blue Day Spa is celebrating one year at its Port Alberni location.
TOFINO-UCLUELT
Samantha Hackett
Samantha Hackett has been appointed as Tourism Tofino’s new Executive Director, effective December 2, 2025.
The Tofino Hot Cocoa Trail, which began on November 28th and will end on January 4, 2026, will feature the following businesses: BASIC GOODNESS PIZZERIA; Browns Socialhouse Tofino; Chocolate Tofino; Common Loaf Bake Shop; Love Craft Gallery; Mizu Mizu; Moss & Milk Cafe; Ombré Tofino; Rhino Coffee House; Savary Island Pie Company; SHED Restaurant; Shelter Restaurant; The Beach Shack; Long Beach Lodge Resort; Tofino Coffee Roasting Company; Tofino Distillery; and Tofitian.
The Pacific Rim Arts Society is celebrating its 55th anniversary.
The Sea of Lights event, which includes a craft market and Shelter Restaurant‘s annual gingerbread competition, will take place at Tofino Resort + Marina on December 6th. It will also feature the annual boat and seaplane light up.
NANAIMO
The merger of Integris Credit Union and Coastal Community Credit Union, which was approved by members, will take effect on January 1, 2026.
Darrell Eason has joined Barkley Project Group Ltd. as the newest Project Manager. Barkley Project Group Ltd. is celebrating 22 years in business.
4TVI (Tourism Vancouver Island) have successfully completed the audit and achieved Biosphere Certification for 2025.
The British Columbia Hotel Association has announced the opening of nominations for the 2026 BCHA Awards of Excellence. This event highlights exceptional leadership and achievements within British Columbia’s hotel sector, covering areas such as housekeeping, guest service, sustainability, culinary excellence, accommodations, and emerging leadership.
RBC has been named one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026.
Razor Free Electrolysis is now open at 196 Golden Oaks Crescent.
Cedar Holistic Salon is opening a new location at 1694 Cedar Road.
LADYSMITH-CHEMAINUS
In The Beantime Cafe is moving to a new location at 431 First Avenue in Ladysmith.
The Christmas Light Cruise is happening on Saturday, December 13th Leaves Transfer Beach.
Rainforest Arts, located at 9781 Willow Street in Chemainus, is opening on Mondays for the holiday season, until December 24th.
Island Pastry Haus‘ Chemainus location has expanded its bakery with more sitting options to accommodate new casual breakfast menu.
Oceanside Clean has expanded its services into the Chemainus and Ladysmith area.
COWICHAN VALLEY
The new Cowichan District Hospital will have state-of-the-art equipment thanks to a $5,000 gift from Duncan Pharmacy and Crofton Pharmacy owners Neel and Rupal Tanna.
In collaboration with the Building Officials’ Association of British Columbia, the Municipality of North Cowichan and the Naut’sa Mawt Tribal Council have initiated the Indigenous Building Official Internship program.
The North Cowichan council approved an expansion – actually a re-instatement of the original – urban containment boundary, north of Herd Road, by 100 acres. This expansion includes the land near the new hospital being built on Bell McKinnon Road, as well as the 32 acres where the West Vista Terrace project is planned.
The Ask the Expert Celebrating Woman Entrepreneurs event is scheduled on December 10, at the Cowichan Regional Visitor Centre.
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