News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Kevin McGhee, Patrol Leader of the Port Hardy Junior Canadian Rangers, and Chuck Wong, Patrol Leader of the Alert Bay Junior Canadian Rangers, have received the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
Abernethy Contracting is managing the organization and scheduling of the necessary companies for Telegraph Cove, which has received the required approvals from the Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries. The rebuilding work is now underway.
Through the BC PNP Entrepreneur Immigration program, foreign businesses seeking to relocate to British Columbia can establish companies that foster innovation and the province’s economic development.
Whale Interpretive Centre has successfully raised more than $114,000 through CanadaHelps and various fundraising efforts, to rebuild in Telegraph Cove.
Dr. Barker celebates 5 years of practicing chiropractic in Port Hardy and Port McNeill.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The Upper Island Counselling’s 2nd Annual Be WELL Burger & Bevy Event will take place at Fifty Parallel Tap & Grill on May 27th.
Apparently Comfort Inn & Suites has been sold to the owners of the Anchor Inn. The Anchor Inn is currently renovating every room from floor to ceiling.
A Career Fair will take place at Naturally Pacific Resort on March 25, 2025, in the Elements Meeting Space.
The deadline for business owners in the City of Campbell River to renew their license is March 30.
Campbell River ranks among the most popular domestic spots for Canadians, according to Airbnb.
Starting April 1, 2025, the solid waste tipping fees at the Comox Valley Waste Management Centre and the Campbell River Waste Management Centre will increase from $155 to $165 per tonne.
City Council awarded a total of $820,600 in Community Grants to 18 organizations to support arts, culture, and community services in Campbell River.
Many properties in Campbell River are now zoned to permit secondary suites and the City is offering $5,000 grants to incentivize construction or legalization of these separate living spaces.
The City has approved the five year renewal of the Downtown Campbell River BIA with a possible boundary expansion on 11th Avenue.
Campbell River Hospital Foundation annouced they have reached $1.9 million of their $2 million goal for the Just Like Home Adult Lodge Project.
Merle Norman Cosmetics and Day Spa will sadly be closing their doors on March 31st as their lease has not been renewed.
Sophie Limeux has opened Sophie’s Boutique New and Consignment next to Pier Street Computers.
COMOX VALLEY
Jeff West
Jeff West has been appointed to the Comox Valley Airport Commission board and will be sitting on the governance committee.
The School Cycling Program and District Bike Lending Program, which were created in collaboration with the Comox Valley Cycling Coalition, have been honoured with the Cycling Education Champion Award at HUB Cycling’s 12th Annual Bike Awards.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and Courtenay’s Fire Departments will each receive $275,200 and $40,000 in funding to enhance emergency response and community safety through the acquisition of new equipment and training.
The City of Courtenay Council has approved $3.5 million in grant funding for the construction of the 6th Street Active Transportation Bridge, allowing the project to move forward with an updated cost estimate.
L’Arche Comox Valley marks a milestone, celebrating 25 years of support for individuals with developmental disabilities.
The third annual Cumberland Repair Café will take place on April 26 at the Cumberland Community School, Beaufort Gym.
Mount Washington’s winter season is wrapping up in just one month—so if you haven’t had your fill of fresh powder, now’s the time!
Join the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber Business Hub on Friday, April 11, from 7:30 to 9:30 am for a complimentary informative session in collaboration with the City of Courtenay’s Development Services Department. This event will provide an overview of the department’s role and key services, including sign permits, building renovation permits, and development permits.
Comox Valley Chamber‘s Business After Business will take place at Nufloors Comox Valley Floor Centre onMarch 27th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. The Chamber’s AGM will take place on April 23rd at 40 Knots Winery from 5:30 to 7:30.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Nominations are open for the Tofino Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards until March 26th. The Gala will take place on April 24th.
Tuumook Arts & Crafts has recently joined the Tofino Chamber.
District of Tofino Staff were authorized to issue a Temporary Use Permit to permit the operation of a 32-site residential campground for a period of three years at 1141 Pacific Rim Highway.
PORT ALBERNI
Dr. J Szostek, DC, recently announced the opening of Inlet Chiropractic at the former Alberni Chiropractic space.
Pete’s Mountain Meats, located in a historic former post office building along the Johnston Street/Highway 4 corridor, has sold.
License to Grill, located within Wesco Foods, recently hosted its grand opening celebration.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District is working with the Alberni Valley Food Security Society and Farm To School BC to revitalize three Pacific Rim Schools gardens, with acknowledgement of funding through TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
Nook Baked Goods Inc. has recently expanded its offerings. The bakery now has a cheese shop, with a diverse selection of soft cheeses.
Skytec Group of Companies won Indigenous Business of the Year at the 24th annual Vancouver Island Business Excellence Awards. The award was sponsored by Chims Motel, another Alberni Valley business located on Tseshaht First Nation.
Antidote Distilling Co. was recognized at the 2025 Canadian Artisan Spirit Competition as winner of Canada’s best infused or flavoured vodka for their black truffle vodka, winner of the 2025 Sustainability Award, winner of two silvers for Wild Blackcap Raspberry Liqueur and Black Gin, and winner of a bronze in the Gin category. Antidote also won Gold in Sip Magazine’s 13th annual Best of the Northwest Spirits for its black truffle flavoured vodka.
The Build Your Own Future Program is accepting registrants in Port Alberni. The fully-funded business startup or scale-up program offers in-person training, ongoing mentorship and coaching, monthly workshops for 7 months and $5,000 in funding for business expenses. Funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.
The Jumping Slug Community Cyclery recently held its grand opening event at its new location in the Port Alberni Industrial Block.
The Port Alberni Rock and Gem Club recently hosted its annual Rock & Gem Show at the Alberni Athletic Hall.
North Island College recently hosted NICFest.
Pacific Rim School District #70 recently announced the sale of a property at the former Mount Klitsa Junior High School to Tseshaht First Nation. As a gesture of reconciliation. Tseshaht First Nation intends to build housing on the site.
The City of Port Alberni, in collaboration with Tseshaht and Hupacasath First Nations, is revamping Clutesi Haven Marina as part of their work through the First Nations-Municipal Community Economic Development Initiative (CEDI). Their vision is to develop a public market area with expanded capacity for vendors. The site is being prepared for the arrival of retrofitted Sea cans that will be rented by vendors. The new Sea cans will feature Indigenous art, and the parking space will be reconfigured to allow for more spaces for vehicles and boat trailers. In addition, there will be changes to the entry and egress of the marina in coordination with the BC Ministry of Transportation. The City of Port Alberni has secured over $400,000 to carry out some of the work. Funding agencies include Island Coastal Economic Trust, Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure BC, the Tourism Growth Program (PacifiCan) and CEDI.
BC Housing has submitted a rezoning application to the City of Port Alberni for vacant city-owned property at 2nd Avenue. If approved, and if the Community Engagement process is favourable, BC Housing may be in a position to move forward with building permit applications for a new 55-unit supportive housing development in Port Alberni’s Uptown.
The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District has issued a Community Housing Needs Survey as part of its Housing Needs Report.
On April 10th Port Alberni’s Echo Centre is hosting a presentation and cultural discussion with Ron Hamilton. The event is supported by the Vancouver Foundation Neighbourhood Small Grants in partnership with the Alberni Valley Museum and City of Port Alberni.
The City of Port Alberni’s Master Planning Open House at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel was well attended. Community members shared their experiences and thoughts on how to achieve a multimodal network that is safe and accessible to all users.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Carol Plaisier of iA Private Wealth has announced her retirement after an impressive 38-year career as a financial advisor.
The FOAMguy‘s Nanaimo store, located next to ONO, will close on March 23rd. The store will shortly relocate to its new location at 8-1343 Alberni Hwy., Parksville, which is scheduled to open on April 2nd.
Forward Recovery Centre will move its services to Forward House on Hirst Avenue in Parksville by the end of April.
A decision on closing the Qualicum Commons facility has been postponed by the Qualicum School District in order to give the Town of Qualicum Beach more time to determine whether or not to purchase the property.
Business after Business is being hosted by the Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce at M&N Mattress & Sofa, located at 291 Island Highway East, Parksville.
French Press Coffee Roasters, located in Parksville and Qualicum Beach and owned by Jeremy Perkins, has been awarded a medal at the Golden Bean World Series.
A $200,000 grant has been given to the Regional District of Nanaimo, Town of Qualicum Beach, District of Lantzville, and Dashwood Volunteer Fire Department. The funds will support two projects, including the purchase of equipment for a new joint training facility that will serve the Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department and Lantzville Fire Rescue, funded by British Columbia’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund.
Fundraising was kicked off by the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation to buy 34 new vital signs monitors for the Oceanside Health Centre in Parksville.
Additional parking spots, bike and pedestrian shoulders, and a safer active transportation corridor will be created as the Town of Qualicum Beach begins building on March 24 for the Waterfront Enhancement Project along Highway 19A.
NANAIMO
James Babcock announced the launch of NorthWild Eco Holdings Inc., marking a significant step forward in sustainable real estate and eco-tourism in British Columbia.
The company that owns Hudson’s Bay and TheBay.com, Hudson’s Bay Company ULC, recently filed documents with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice stating that, despite numerous attempts to obtain enough funding to pursue a restructuring transaction under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA), it has only obtained limited debtor-in-possession financing that will necessitate the complete liquidation of the business.
MNP has partnered with Toronto based Insurance Advisory firm, Sterling Park Financial Group Inc. to expand their offerings.
MNP has announced a partnership with the chartered professional accounting firms, Guérin Morin CPA Inc. and Houle and Associates, set to take effect on June 1, 2025.
Stantec is working on the design for the Nanaimo Cancer Centre, a key component of the province’s 10-year BC Cancer Action Plan, set to be built at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.
Minister Harjit S. Sajjan announced more than $4.8 million for 24 tourist groups in BC to improve local attractions, boost local economies, and increase tourism in communities throughout the province.
Tony Harris Group has received unanimous approval from the City of Nanaimo for the Development Permit of Harris Quarter, a new mixed-use project in North Nanaimo, in collaboration with District Group!
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
Public Safety Canada has awarded the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue (RCMSAR) station in Ladysmith the national Emergency Management Exemplary Service Award in recognition of its contributions to marine safety and emergency response.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
Co-owners Jay Harnish and Doug MacKenzie have launched Options Exterior Cleaning, a Cowichan-based company that offers outside cleaning services.
Options Salad & Subs Meal Prep, located at 486 Trans-Canada Hwy, at the former Domino’s restaurant is set to open its doors on April 1 following the completion of renovations and upgrades at the location.
The Stonebridge development by Limona Group, a significant housing project for Mill Bay, is slowly moving forward.
The world’s first Garry oak-aged Rye Whisky was released by Brennon Colebank‘s Stillhead Distillery.
Marc Stoiber of Victoria is assisting COREO, a carpooling startup, in setting up trials at UVic and other Canadian universities.
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