News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Questcorp Mining Corporation has been granted a permit exemption through the British Columbia Mines Act to conduct a 10 to 15 line km induced polarization (IP) survey at the 1,168 hectare North Island Copper project in the vicinity of Port Hardy.
An event was held on August 14 at the Malcolm Island rubbing shoreline to inaugurate the Bere Point Research Society, which was established to provide support for Troy Bright’s Killer Whale research and educational initiatives.
The District of Port Hardy is currently seeking proposals to renovate the current whirlpool system at the District of Port Hardy Recreation Centre and Pool.
Dr. Ramiz S. Alhadi and Dr. Hadi Awad Hmoud are the latest additions to the Port Hardy Primary Health Care Centre.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Harbour Air will start operating daily flights from downtown Vancouver to Campbell River in the upcoming summer 2026.
Jan Gladish, a trustee for School District 72, was named to the Indigenous Education Advisory Council of the BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA).
An information session will be place on September 12 at the NIC Campus in Campbell River to launch ElderCollege‘s new fall course schedule, which will run from October to early December.
The internet service provider, CityWest, is currently operating and constructing seven last-mile projects that will provide high-speed internet access to over 400 rural and remote households. These projects include Firvale in the Bella Coola valley, Oona River on the northern coast, Oclucje of Nuchatlaht First Nation on Vancouver Island, and Echo and Health Bay on Gilford Island.
The Campbell River Chamber is hiring a part-time Member Specialist to grow their network.
COMOX VALLEY
Tumble City is now open at 2703 Kirkpatrick Ave, Courtenay.
An end-of-summer social event is scheduled for September 28 at the Courtenay Cohousing project.
The new Hornby Island Arts Centre will open on September 12th, according to the Hornby Island Arts Council.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce has received official certification as a Living Wage Employer.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Spirits of the West Coast Art Gallery, is hosting the opening of a new exhibition titled “Contemporary Voices of the Coast.” The event will take place on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the CV Chamber Business Hub, #103 – 576 England Avenue, Courtenay.
The Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce is hosting its monthly Bites and Insights speaker series, welcoming local business leaders for breakfast discussions aimed at fostering conversation and professional development. The upcoming session is scheduled for Thursday, September 18 at the Chamber Business Hub, #103 – 576 England Avenue, Courtenay. This month’s featured speaker will be Gabriel Dhahan, President of Bellrock Benchmarking.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Harbour Air will operate four additional weekly flights from Vancouver to Tofino beginning on October 27. These flights are intended to accommodate surfers and storm observers.
The New Horizons for Seniors Program of the Government of Canada has provided $25,000 in funding to the District of Tofino.
PORT ALBERNI
AV Garden Supply has moved locations to a home-based store front.
The Station Taphouse is open for business at the heritage railway station, Kingsway Avenue.
Alberni Valley Tourism is currently running an Agri-Tourism Survey to better understand the knowledge, current involvement, and resources needs of agi-tourism businesses and farm to table or locally sourcing restaurants and businesses in our region.
Black Jaguar Chocolate has been awarded Gold for their white chocolate with white jaguar macambo nibs at the International Chocolate awards Americas UC 2025.
The City of Port Alberni is adding a four-way stop and sidewalk upgrades to improve safety and allow easier access for people with mobility issues at Sixth Avenue and Maitland Street.
The City of Port Alberni will be making repairs to Kitsuksis Dyke from September 2 – 19. Works hours will vary. Access to the pathway will be temporarily restricted in the two work zones, but crews will alternate where possible to allow people to continue use of the pathway.
The Port Alberni Toy Run takes place September 13 – 14.
Special Olympics registration takes place Saturday September 13 at Rainbow Lanes.
The City of Port Alberni Local Government in Partnership with the Hupačasath First Nation, and funded by a $148,400 Time Immemorial Grant, is revitalizing the building housing the Nuu-chah-nulth Whaling Monument and the area around it, including lighting, bathroom facility, and refreshed landscaping.
The Community Gaming Grants program has recently awarded funds to:
- The Port Alberni Maritime Heritage Society – $29,000
- Alberni District Fall Fair – $30,000
- Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley – $15,200
The Canadian Mental Health Association – Port Alberni Branch announced it will be managing operations for a new ownership group at the landmark cinema in Port Alberni, effective Wednesday October 1 2025.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Primex Investments is requesting a change to the Parksville bylaws in order to build a mixed-use commercial and residential complex at 1180 Resort Dr., next to the Island Highway in Parksville.
The 100 Men of Oceanside held their third quarterly meeting of 2025 on September 3rd, where they awarded $17,000 to the Society of Organized Services (SOS). The event was sponsored by the Morningstar Golf Club, Isle Golf Cars, and Motiontide Digital. The upcoming gathering of the 100 Men of Oceanside is scheduled for November 5, 2025, at 7:00 PM. It will be held at the Morningstar Golf Club, located at 525 Lowry’s Road, Parksville.
Ballenas Secondary’s Oceanside Community Track, which comprises six lanes, is scheduled to begin operations on September 12.
A conditional contract of purchase and sale has been executed between the Regional District of Nanaimo and Mosaic Forest Management for the purchase of approximately 360 hectares of land, referred to as Hamilton Marsh, south of Qualicum Beach, for 30 million.
NANAIMO
Mountain Equipment Company is opening up a Nanaimo location.
Kristopher Wojtecki has been appointed as the President of Starlight Infrastructure Solutions, a new strategic business division that is dedicated to the acquisition and management of essential-use assets that facilitate the delivery of essential services across public, social, and economic systems.
The newly developed 149-suite expansion of North Point Apartments, has been acquired by Skyline Apartment REIT. The property is located at 6981 & 6985 Island Highway North.
Culture Days is set to make a comeback this fall, running from September 19 to October 12, 2025. The event will feature a variety of free and pay-what-you-can music events, arts workshops, open studios, exhibitions, and more throughout Vancouver Island. Accessible and inclusive arts and culture activities are available for everyone, inviting participants to discover local creatives, get a behind-the-scenes look, ignite their own creativity through hands-on experiences, and build lasting connections.
Skyline Apartment REIT has acquired 6981 & 6985 Island Highway North, adding a newly developed 149-suite expansion to the North Point Apartments, which was originally purchased in 2020.
The Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce‘s first Business After Business of the season hosted by the Nanaimo Marine Rescue Society is scheduled on September 18.
On September 11, the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society will host the September Monthly Networking Luncheon of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
Snuneymuxw First Nation Marine Division has been named a finalist for the 2025 Water Canada Awards
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) plans to directly award a two-year contract to CShed for Transit Schedule Production Service for RDN Transportation Services.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The fitness centre at the Frank Jameson Community Centre reopened on September 8 after an annual maintenance closure.
Mizu Real Fruit Ice Cream is coming to Country Grocer Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Cedar and Chemainus Country Grocer.
COWICHAN-DUNCAN
Patricia Blair
Lawyer Patricia Blair has been elected as the new president of the British Columbia branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
A new facility and tasting room have been unveiled by Unsworth Vineyards, with intentions to double production by 2028.
Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy, a family-run business in Cowichan Bay, is hosting the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce‘s famous Mix & Mingle events on September 24.
Emergency Management Cowichan, the Municipality of North Cowichan, the City of Duncan, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District are requesting a temporary-used permit from the Duncan city council to establish a winter shelter in the conference room of the former Ramada Hotel. The shelter will be operational from November 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026.
SLI Towers Inc.‘s proposal to Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada has been authorized, and the construction of a new 35-meter monopole telecommunications tower at 1750 Mann St., just north of Crofton, is now underway.
The Downtown Duncan BIA‘s annual Every Child Matters event will be held on Sept. 30.
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