News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The District of Port Hardy is requesting quotations for the provision, delivery, and installation of modular office modules appropriate for general office applications. Suppliers are asked to submit pricing for both 20-foot and 40-foot units, encompassing all relevant expenses, including transport to the project location.
A proposal by Art Farquharson to hold a FlyIn Breakfast at the H.J. Pickup Airport on Cormorant Island on June 27, 2026, was approved at a regular Alert Bay Council meeting chaired by Alert Bay Mayor Dennis Buchanan.
This winter, Mount Cain is offering free skiing to children ages 12 and younger.
CAMPBELL RIVER
On Vancouver Island, Wei Wai Kum First Nation is acquiring a controlling share in the 197-MW, Indigenous-led Yə̓yus Energy, formerly known as the Brewster Wind Project. The project will be situated northwest of Campbell River.
WestUrban Developments has completed the sale of The Blueprint Residences located at 9 Erskine Lane in View Royal to BGO.
Hospice Thrift Store opens at 1030-9th Ave., in Campbell River.
Naturally Pacific Resort gave a generous donation of $10,145 to the Campbell River Food Bank.
COMOX VALLEY
Relish Blinds, Shades, & Awnings, together with Modlux Interior, are hosting a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting event on January 15, at 19–215 Port Augusta Street.
The Comox Chamber of Commerce is holding their Starry Night Gala at the Florence Filbert Centre on January 31st from 5:30 to 11 pm.
The Comox Valley Food Bank received a $5,000 donation from the Comox Valley Yacht Club as part of their yearly Christmas drive.
The Crown Isle Clubhouse in East Courtenay will host an educational lecture called “The Seven Habits of Healthy Living” on Wednesday, January 21, led by naturopathic doctors Drs. Deidre Macdonald and Shawn Peters.
RLR Lawyers has made a generous contribution of $4,500 to the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation, demonstrating their support for local healthcare initiatives.
PARKSVILLE-QUALICUM
The Career Centre welcomes Karen McKenna as the new Manager of Marketing & Operations as Lori Koop moves into retirement after 14 years with the organization.
The Parksville Community Centre Society and Recycle BC have announced a six-month extension for the Pop-up Parksville recycle depot located at 1080 Industrial Way in south Parksville, which will now operate until June 27.
Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Chamber Appreciation Dinner on January 29, 2026 at the Bradley Centre, 975 Shearme Rd, Coombs.
Take Off Adventure Rentals is having a closing sale from January 15-18.
PORT ALBERNI
Lieutenants Luke Hawser and AJ Johnson of Cherry Creek Fire Department successfully completed their Emergency Management 1.
Re.Collection art exhibit opens at the Alberni Valley Museum on January 15.
Pacific Rim School District announce the formal launch of a Co-Governance model with local Nuu-chah-nulth Nations.
Port Alberni Tim Hortons donated proceeds from their Smile Cookie campaign, splitting the proceeds between the Alberni Valley Salvation Army and Tim Horton’s Foundation Camps, donating $6225 to each recipient.
The Annual Robbie Burns Supper will be hosted on January 24 by Mackenzie School of Dance.
Roadside Maintenance is underway January 12 to January 23, 7:00am – 5:00pm. Mainroad crews will be performing roadside maintenance along BC Highway 4, in the east and westbound lanes at Angel Rock.
Pete’s Mountain Meats is closed for renovations until January 16.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
The expansion of the West Coast Transit bus service between Tofino and Ucluelet has increased alternatives for West Coast locals and tourists.
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Tofino Photo Booth.
Long Beach Lodge Resort has been nominated for Business of the Year and the Customer Service Excellence Award as part of the Tofino Chamber Business Excellence Awards.
NANAIMO
Kylee Power, a pharmacist and co-owner of the seven Central Drugs shops in Nanaimo, has been chosen to serve as the 2026 Chair of the BC Pharmacy Association Board of Directors.
The Nanaimo Regional Hospital District (NRHD) appointed a Chair and Acting Chair at the January 13, 2026, meeting of the NRHD Board. Janice Perrino is reappointed for a second one-year term as Chair of the NRHD, while Ian Thorpe remains in the position of Acting Chair, also for a one-year term.
Christina Proteau has been appointed as a provincial court judge at Nanaimo Law Courts.
Caitlin Hartigan, a graduate of the Vancouver Island University MBA program, has been appointed as the youngest female Dean of Trades in Canada at Okanagan College.
DP World is building the CAD$22 million “Salish Sea Gateway” short-sea shipping facility in Vancouver for coastal freight services between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to launch in mid-2026.
Sheepdog Brew Co. goods will soon be available at Thrifty Foods, Fairway Market, Urban Grocer, The Root Cellar, Old Farm Market, Edible Island Whole Foods Market, Sweet Meadows Market, and others on Vancouver Island.
Woodgrove Arcade has officially opened at 154-6631 Island Highway North, Nanaimo.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is hosting its first Business After Business of 2026 on January 22 at Seaside Smile Clinic, 105 Richards Street, Nanaimo.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce is collaborating with the Canadian Home Builders’ Association – Vancouver Island and the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board to host the Industry Outlook Forum (IOF), scheduled to take place in Nanaimo on January 22 at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
Two new continuous dry kilns will be added to Western Forest Products‘ value-added division in Chemainus as part of the province’s up to $7.5 million investment in the facility.
The Ladysmith Festival of Lights Annual general Meeting is scheduled on February 12 at the Festival of Lights Building.
Plans are in progress to redevelop the former Green Lantern Inn and Pub, situated at the intersection of River Road and Chemainus Road in Chemainus, into a 15-unit apartment complex.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
The Parhar Centre, a 150,000 square foot plaza developed by the Island-based Parhar Group, is under construction at the junction of the Trans Canada Highway and Highway 18 at Herd Road, approximately five kilometres from Duncan’s town centre.
On January 15, Domtar will host a job fair for employees of the Crofton pulp plant, which will soon be closing.
A public hearing will be held to get feedback on the cannabis manufacturing facility proposal put forth by property owners Shaye Donald and Meghan Terpenning at 3925 Cowichan Lake Road.
A new $65-million co-op housing project featuring 92 homes in North Cowichan held its groundbreaking ceremony on Jan. 13, with funding support from three levels
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