News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Cermaq, a multinational salmon farming behemoth, paid 10.2 billion kroner (about $990 million) to acquire Grieg Seafood‘s operations in northern Norway and Canada.
The Government of Canada announced funding of over $11.1 million for the Urban Village in Port Hardy. The project, located at 8925 Park Drive, has 27 apartments across three, low-rise buildings with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. Construction is being undertaken by K’awat’si Construction Company, a subsidiary of K’awat’si Economic Development Corporation (KEDC), Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nation’s economic development subsidiary.
Downtown Port Hardy’s first-ever Evening Street Market will take place on August 22nd along Market Street.
CAMPBELL RIVER
On July 24, the BC Salmon Farmers Association and its members will be hosting their annual Community Appreciation BBQ in order to raise funds for the Campbell River Food Bank.
The new Business Directory, put out by the Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce, is an effort to assist locals and tourists in locating reliable companies in the Campbell River and surrounding areas.
CMLS Financial has successfully secured CMHC Insured term financing for a newly completed project in Campbell River, consisting of 16 units.
The Campbell River Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) will be hosting their annual Bevy About Town on Friday, August 22nd.
COMOX VALLEY
Jim Zsiros
Jim Zsiros has been recognized as Canada’s 2025 Ambassador Maverick for his leadership in advancing sustainable building practices.
The Comox Valley RibFest is set to take place at Village Park in Cumberland from August 22 to 24. The event will feature 17 local bands performing on the Entertainment Stage, along with 14 vendors in the new Artisans Alley, and local food options including Churro Chica, Moss & Milk, Yummies & Gyros, and Pretzel Guys to complement the rib selections. This year’s beverage garden highlights three local breweries: Cumberland Brewery, Land & Sea Brewery, and Ace Brewery as well as 40 Knots Winery and Merridale Cidery.
The Comox Valley Child Development Association is currently in search of community professionals to serve on its Board of Directors.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Chatman Shaw celebrates 2 years since joining Indigenous Tourism BC.
The US company Pacific Seafoods, which owns Ucluelet Harbour Seafood (UHS), is being faced with a $25,000 penalty for “major” wastewater violations.
This year, the Tofino Wilderness Resort in Quait Bay, was acquired by the Ahousaht First Nation for the purpose of economic development and land reclamation. 50th Parallel Public Relations had been appointed to rebrand the resort as Wahous Wilderness Lodge upon its reopening.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District marks the first anniversary of the Memorandum of Understanding with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, a landmark agreement aimed at building a respectful, long-term partnership around the management and development of the Long Beach Airport.
PORT ALBERNI
Alberni Clearview Exteriors has opened for business.
Grime Busters Mobile Detailing Service has began operating in Port Alberni.
Munch Gelato has opened at the Harbour Quay.
Thoroughbred Electric has begun operations in Port Alberni.
Lisa’s Busy Bees Childcare is opening a second location close to Ecole Alberni.
Solve Energy is now operating in Port Alberni.
Shalaya Valenzuela, a Tseshaht First Nation member, is one of five individuals this year who have been selected to receive the Team Canada Indigenous Award, through the Canadian Olympic Foundation. Each recipient will receive $20,000 to help cover some of their expenses during the next two years. Valenzuela was a member of the Canadian women’s rugby sevens club that captured the silver medal at last year’s Paris Olympics.
Bamfield’s Canadian Kelp Resources has been sold.
Hollies Executive Golf Course hosted the grand opening of its new driving range.
Alberni Valley Food Security Society & Alberni District Fall Fair have created a farmstand map & guide.
Pacific Rim School District finalizes the sale of Surplus Property, 3816 Anderson Avenue, to Support New Foundry Centre. The sale of land will directly support the establishment of a new Foundry Centre in Port Alberni – an integrated, youth-focused health and wellness hub being developed by the Alberni Drug & Alcohol Prevention Service Youth and Family Services, in partnership with Foundry BC and the Ministry of Health.
The Alberni Valley Museum is opening Worlds Colliding, an exhibition of new and significant works by Kwakwaka’wakw artist and hereditary chief of the Dzawada’enuxw First Nation, Cecil Dawson. The exhibition runs from Aug. 1 to Nov. 1, 2025, with a public opening ceremony and reception taking place Thursday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m.
Ice installation at the Alberni Valley Multiplex is complete, following the successful rental and commissioning of a temporary chiller unit.
handyDART services launch in Tseshaht Nation. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District in partnership with handyDART and Tseshaht First Nation have announced the newly inked service agreement.
Bamfield Electric is now open for business.
Alberni Valley Food Security Society has partnered with the Alberni District Fall Fair to create a local farmstand map and guide, it will be available in both print and digital formats.
The former San Group site on Stamp & Roger has been sold to IGV Housing, who plan to build a manufacturing plant to turn out a hybrid model of housing.
Burde Street Surface Upgrades are now complete. Bowerman crew, along with Hub City Paving, Perrier Road Marking, and Haylock Bros Paving, have constructed over 1000 meters of new curb & sidewalk, bike lanes, and asphalt paving complete with fresh line painting and new crosswalks.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Rooms and cottages at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort in Parksville, have just undergone renovations that include new furnishings, private balconies with ocean views, fireplaces, full kitchens, and deep soaker tubs.
The Residences at Qualicum Station, a 56-unit affordable housing project situated at 136 Village Way W Qualicum Beach, has been completed by BC Housing.
The City of Parksville is simplifying the process for residents using the Preauthorized Withdrawal Service (PAWS). This plan enables taxpayers to make fixed monthly payments towards their taxes and utilities, based on estimated future amounts.
Qualicum Beach’s St. Stephen’s United Church Hall will host Oceanside Repair Café on July 26.
In a tentative agreement to buy the land surrounding the Eaglecrest Golf Course for $8.5 million, the Town of Qualicum Beach has until November 1, 2025, to finish the deal if council decides to move further.
Mid Island Co-op has awarded a $6,071 Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant to the Errington Volunteer Fire Department to buy new tools and personal protective equipment for battling wildfires.
MAC Community Garden in Parksville was the recipient of the Gardens for Good: Plant It Forward™️ Program, by Nature’s Path Foods and received $6,500 to put towards their programming.
Greenview Taphouse is now open at Fairwinds Golf Course.
NANAIMO
Bill Yoachim
William (Bill) Yoachim, the founder and Executive Director of Kw’umut Lelum Child & Family Services and a member of the Snuneymuxw Nation, has been named the recipient of the BC Achievement Community Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the community.
Snuneymuxw First Nation has completed the transfer of over 700 hectares of land at te’tuxwtun (Mount Benson North) from the Province of B.C. The land will be managed by Petroglyph Development Group (PDG) through Mount Benson Forestry.
Seair Seaplanes has added a newly acquired De avilland DHC-2 Beaver, dedicated exclusively to scenic, private scenic tours and charters departing from downtown Vancouver.
Nanaimo U-Lock Mini Storage is hosting a Customer Appreciation BBQ on July 26th to celebrate 15 years in business.
Connective has recently announced the opening if the new temporary housing program at 1300 Island Highway in Nanaimo.
Kinton Ramen has expanded to Downtown Nanaimo with a flagship location at Port Place Shopping Centre.
Hormone replacement therapy for menopausal symptoms will be covered by the government for free at the new Complex Menopause Clinic at BC Women’s Hospital beginning in March 2026.
The Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation is thrilled to announce the successful completion of its largest-ever fundraising campaign for a single piece of equipment: a second SPECT/CT scanner for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). In just eight months, $2.9 million was raised to bring this advanced diagnostic technology to the region, thanks to the incredible generosity of over 1,400 donors.
Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce welcomes newest members: Flamez Chicken and Upsmash Media.
United Way BC Day Kick-Off Breakfast is happening on September 18, 2025 at the Coast Bastion Hotel from 7-8:30 am.
Trevor Coey has announced he will be opening a new Bartlett Tree Experts office on October 1st.
The Indigenous Forestry Conference 2025 will be taking place on September 15-16 in Nanaimo.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Steve Mjoen
Steve Mjoen has been appointed as the new Field Services Manager at West Coast Pre Fab.
Cowichan Hospice received $30,000 from the Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary to finance compassionate care for those with serious illnesses, grief, and loss.
The Town of Ladysmith has promoted Hayley Young, an administrative coordinator in Corporate Services, to the position of additional deputy corporate officer.
The 2026 Royal Canadian Legion 100th anniversary banners were authorized for placement by the Ladysmith Council. The banners for the Legion’s “We Remember” initiative will be installed and removed by the town from October to mid-November of the following year.
A zoning bylaw amendment to allow bed and breakfasts in residential zones was first and second read by Ladysmith Council. In the R-1-A (Small Lot Residential) and C-1 (Local Commercial) zones, Bylaw 2014, No. 1860, Amendment Bylaw 2025, No. 2213 would enable bed and breakfasts
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The new Friendship Square – Hiiye’yutul’, located at the intersection of Station Street and Craig Street in the City of Duncan, is now accessible to the public.
As part of its Cowichan Valley Winery Series, the Vancouver Island Symphony will perform classical music at Blue Grouse Winery on July 23 and August 6.
The back deck of Westfalian Bakery, located on the creatively painted lane on Kenneth Street in Duncan, has been transformed by Daniel Kim and Sabrina Kim over the course of two years. The project is now complete.
The Night Market is held in Duncan City Square on the third Thursday of every month from June to November from 5 to 8 p.m., and usually features up to 40 vendors.
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