News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
PORT HARDY/PORT MCNEILL
The iconic Killer Whale Cafe is now under construction at the Telegraph Cove Resort & Campground.
Dr. Michael Copley, a dermatologist, is set to provide visiting derm clinics in Port Hardy on November 28 and March 28, 2026.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Sealand Flight, located in Campbell River, has been announced Flight School of the Year for 2025 by the Canadian Owners and Pilots Association (COPA).
Le Gers Properties Inc.’s application to rezone the land at 1308 Island Highway, where a four-story, fifty-two-unit rental apartment structure is to be built, was approved by Campbell River Council.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board re-elected Director Mark Baker as Chair and elected Director Mark Vonesch, who represents Electoral Area B-Cortes Island, as Vice-Chair for the 2025–2026 term, solidifying its leadership for the upcoming year.
The 2025 Living Wage Report states that Campbell River has the fourth-highest living wage on Vancouver Island at $25.30 per hour, which is $7.45 more than the minimum wage in British Columbia.
Jim’s Clothes Closet is having its 57th Anniversary Sale.
COMOX VALLEY
Danai Hongwanishkul
Danai Hongwanishkul has been appointed as the new Executive Chef for Ocean7 Restaurant and AQUA Bistro & Wine Bar at Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa.
Kenji Fusé has been named the new music director of the Strathcona Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
Penny Lane Property Management, a Vancouver Island-based company celebrating 30 years in business, has announced that it would be expanding from its Comox Valley base in the centre of the island to the Greater Victoria real estate market.
The City of Courtenay is set to construct a new satellite fire hall at 220 Waters Place in East Courtenay.
An update on the Mount Washington Fire Hall has been released by the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), which also aims to start building in the early spring of 2026.
With a 4.1% increase to $25.35 per hour, the Comox Valley Living Wage is now $7.50 more than the minimum wage in British Columbia.
PARKSVILLE/QUALICUM BEACH
Charlene Smith
Charlene Smith has been named the new Executive Director of Parksville Qualicum Beach Foundation.
The development permit for the affordable housing project on land donated to the Parksville Lions Housing Society (PLHS) at 1225 Franklin Gull Rd. was recently approved by the City of Parksville.
Trees Restaurant and Bakery‘s Whisky Creek location marks its first anniversary
The Islander Bakery celebrates its first anniversary.
PORT ALBERNI
Nancy Arsenault and Jerad Langille
The North Island College (NIC) Board of Governors has elected long-serving members Nancy Arsenault as Chair and Jerad Langille as Vice Chair. Both bring deep experience to their new leadership roles and are well known to the NIC community through their previous contributions.
Construction is underway of the new roundabout at Beaver Creek Road and River Road, Highway 4. Construction started November 17 and will continue until March 2026.
The Alberni Pacific Railway’s annual Santa Train, with the No.7 steam train will be running weekends December 5 to December 21.
The Alberni Valley Food Security Society is creating a new Farm-Fish-Forage Directory, as a free online guide.
Huu-ay-aht Group of Businesses is constructing a new In-Town Campground in the heart of Bamfield.
Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) and the Alberni Pacific Railway have reached a temporary agreement to extend rail operations by 1km onto ICF’s corridor, reaching behind the Barclay Hotel and alongside Alberni’s Quay to Quay multi use trail.
Five Acre Co. partnered with The Alberni District Fall Fair Association to complete an insulation upgrade on the KCC building, improving insulation throughout the building.
Spice 7 Indian Restaurant has extended their business hours to be open 7 days a week.
Staffing difficulties have forced the indefinite closure of Port Alberni’s intensive care unit; as a result, the majority of affected patients will likely be relocated to the Nanaimo hospital.
TOFINO/UCLUELET
The Tofino Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest member, Aynsley Paints.
Harbour Air, the biggest seaplane operator in North America, has started its winter wheeled flying program in an attempt to enhance regional connections, extending the airline’s reach throughout Vancouver Island beyond seasonal seaplane flights and marks the first time it offers non-seasonal wheeled aircraft service to Tofino.
A free shuttle from BC Transit is now available for Ucluelet’s yearly Midnight Madness, scheduled on November 28th.
NANAIMO
Ryan Dermody has been named the permanent CEO of the Vancouver Island Ferry Company (VIFC), which runs the Hullo passenger ferries between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver.
Cedar Holistic Salon located at 1694 Cedar Rd., Nanaimo, is opening a barbershop in December.
The Coast Bastion Hotel in downtown Nanaimo will host the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce‘s Cocktails & Connections networking event on December 4, 2025.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce has been nominated for the 2026 Canadian Choice Award in the Non-Profit Organizations Category.
The Harbour City has one of the highest loan acceptance rates in the province, and the Nanaimo Rent Bank authorized 14 per cent more interest-free loans this year than previous.
The Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation wants to raise $2.3 million over the season for a senior emergency department ($1.2 million), a Nanaimo Health Centre Ambulatory Care Clinic ($600,000), and the new Parksville Treatment Centre ($500,000).
The former A&B Sound facility at the intersection of Terminal Avenue and Commercial Street is currently undergoing construction and is expected to open in the summer or fall of next year. It is now known as “Soundworks.“
West Coast Fresh Food Concession and Food Truck Supply has opened its showroom- distribution facility at 702 Haliburton St. in Nanaimo
Toys “R” Us will be shutting down its Nanaimo store.
LADYSMITH/CHEMAINUS
MLA for Ladysmith-Oceanside Stephanie Higginson has been appointed to parliamentary secretary in the ministry of health.
Rainforest Arts located at 9781 Willow Street in Chemainus is now open on Mondays.
The Cowichan District Hospital Foundation received a $5,000 check from the Rotary Clubs of Duncan, Duncan Daybreak, South Cowichan, Ladysmith, Shawnigan Eco, and Chemainus.
COWICHAN VALLEY/DUNCAN
Ross Meiner and his father have assumed management of Cowichan Closets in the Cowichan Valley.
The Deadhead Brew Co. will host the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce‘s “Movember” Wrap Up on November 27.
Opal Nails & Spa celebrated its grand opening on November 17 at 107-135 Evans St.
The second Puzzle Challenge will take place on December 12 at Duncan’s Red Balloon Toyshop.
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