News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
Tom Deane has been appointed as the Manager of Remote Communities at Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank. His role will be to assist in the food security initiatives throughout the North Island.
A Community Career Fair will be held at the Alert Bay Council Hall by the Namgis Business Development Corporation (NBDC) on Tuesday, February 18.
A $45,000 grant from the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) was given to the Northern Vancouver Island Salmonid Enhancement Association. This group is in charge of community-led efforts to improve salmon habitat near Port Hardy.
Hardy Hair and Skincare, owned by Caterina De Toro and William Melan, recently opened at #3 7035 Market Street in downtown Port Hard.
CAMPBELL RIVER
WestJet is set to launch direct seasonal flights from Campbell River to Calgary starting this spring.
The Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its new member, Quinsam Communications Group.
The City of Campbell River is offering a new program called the Business Growth Track as an extension of The Rail Yard Market. This program is free for all Campbell River businesses until 2026.
On January 30, 2026, the Canadian Energy Regulator (CER) endorsed Enbridge’s Sunrise Expansion Program, which aims to expand the Westcoast Pipeline system throughout British Columbia.
Immersion Spa + Wellness at Naturally Pacific Resort, has been recognized as one of the top 50 spas in Canada for 2025 by a prominent U.S. marketing firm and online travel directory.
COMOX VALLEY
Newcastle Engineering has opened a new office at 4635-A Madrona Place, Courtenay.
A mixed training and recertification will be held by Wilderness Medical Associates International (WMA) in Courtenay, from May 12th to May 19th.
The Veteran Farmer BC‘s office located at 290 England Ave, Courtenay, will be closed on family Day, February 16th.
Comox Valley Chamber announced the 2025 Chamber Award Winners: #yourock Youth Award – Isaac Rankin; Young Entrepreneur Award – Grace – Isla Consignment; Sustainability Award – Hakai Energy Solutions Inc; Business Leadership Award – Bill Anglin; Diversity & Inclusion Award – VIRRS; Customer Service Award – Old Farm Market; Family First Award – Goblins Jujitsu; Heritage Recognition Award – Edgett Excavation; Innovative Business Award – Hornby Organic; Not For Profit Organization Award – Comox Valley Family Services; Lifetime Achievement Award – Ramona Johnson; New Business of the Year Award – Aurum Solar Ltd; Small Business of the Year Award – Foveo Running and Business of the Year Award – Cumberland Brewing Co.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
The Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation’s annual Community Fund Grants program is open to receive applications from February 15 to March 31, 2026.
RE/MAX Select Referrals is now celebrating 30 years of serving RE/MAX Realtors across Canada.
M&N Mattress & Sofa Shop Parksville has generously donated 38 mattresses to residents in need through the Society of Organized Services.
Construction is well under way on the new clubhouse at Pheasant Glen Golf Resort.
The Pentlatch Gallery in Parksville recently received $10,000 in ITBC funding to strengthen its promotional efforts and satisfy its advertising needs.
PORT ALBERNI
The City of Port Alberni will be replacing a trail bridge at the entrance to Maquinna Trails February 9 to 13.
The City of Port Alberni and the City of Abashiri, Japan are celebrating the 40th anniversary of a twinning agreement. A celebration will be held May 30, leading up to this event there will be activities, exhibits and displays happening throughout May. This milestone celebration is brought to life through collaboration with the Port Alberni–International Twinning Society and the City of Port Alberni.
The City of Port Alberni announced the renewal of an agreement with the Canadian Mental Health Port Alberni Association [CMHA] to continue the City’s Caretaker Program at six park and recreation sites: Klitsa Park, Williamson Park, Russell Park, Paper Mill Dam, Roger Creek Park, Blair Park.
The Alberni Valley Family Arts Festival is taking place February 14 & 15 at the Glenwood Centre.
The Alberni District Co-op Community Investment Fund 2026 is open for submissions.
St. Jeans Port Alberni has re-opened.
The Port Alberni Spring Home Show takes place February 28 to Sunday March 1 at the Glenwood Centre.
“One Mile” and its sequel “One Mile: Chapter Two” which were partially filmed at McLean Mill National Historic Site and other locations in the Alberni Valley, releases on February 20, with part two releasing on February 27.
Port Alberni Finalists of the Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards are: Pacific Surface Pro, Port Alberni Port Authority, Anderson & Associates, Thunderbird Spirit Water, Valley Vision Optometry, Walco Industries, Coulson Aviation, INEO Employment Counselling, and Integral Hockey Stick Repair.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
True Key Hotels & Resorts has been appointed as the new management company for Water’s Edge Shoreside Suites in Ucluelet, effective March 2, 2026.
The Tin Wis 10-in-10 program has formally commenced with the start of construction at Tin Wis.
Redd Fish and West Coast Kelp Ltd. are working with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation to restore Pacific Coast kelp for $240,000, with a large portion of the funds coming from the provincial government and grants from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Sustainable Ocean Alliance and Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.
NANAIMO
Terrion completed the construction of a new cell tower on land owned by the Regional District of Nanaimo. This will provide reliable high-speed wireless internet and important 911 service.
Johnston Franklin Bishop has moved to its new address at 320-256 Wallace St.
Eddie Bauer in Nanaimo’s Woodgrove Centre is set to close at the end of March.
Orfevrebay Jewellery is opening at Woodgrove Mall Unit 90 on February 12.
The development of our Regional Food Centre in Nanaimo is being supported by a $5 million investment in Loaves & Fishes Community Food Bank by the Government of Canada, through PacifiCan.
Telus‘ proposals to construct a 63-meter tower on city-owned land at 1151 Nanaimo Lakes Rd. and two 15-meter poles with support facilities at 5801 Turner Rd., east of the intersection of Turner Rd. and Island Highway North, have been approved by the Nanaimo council.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Vendor registration is now open for the Chemainus Giant Street Market, happening on July 4th
The Crofton Wharf is currently undergoing renovations by Fisheries and Oceans Canada.
The Chemainus Car Boot Sale will be held on May 9 and May 23.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
The Dine & Sip Cowichan is back from February 27 to March 22, 2026, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation‘s Champagne Dinner & Auction will be held at Brentwood College on March 14 this year.
The Garage Café & Bakery is having a Family Day celebration on Monday, February 16. All families are welcome.
Island Savings and Peninsula Co-op are working together in February to help food banks on Vancouver Island and in the Southern Gulf Islands.
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, Cripple Creek Enterprises Ltd., Outsmart The Scammer Fraud Prevention Society, Ohm Zome, Sonntag Studio, Dauntless Accounting, Katona Enterprises ie; Westcoast Spaces, River Side Pub, Hunter Garage Doors, and HUB International Insurance Brokers – Vancouver Island.
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