News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Brandon Prasad, previously a general clerk at Save-On-Foods Port Hardy store, has recently been promoted to the position of manager at Save-On-Foods Terra Nova in Richmond.
The Port McNeill Farmers and Artisan Market is scheduled on April 13th at the Port McNeill Community Hall.
CAMPBELL RIVER
Sonny Higgs is starting a new position as Bylaw Enforcement Officer at City of Campbell River.
Toni-Marie Lashta CPA, CGA has been named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Poseidon Ocean Systems.
A historic agreement was inked between Western Forest Products, North Island First Nations, at the We Wai Kum First Nation in Campbell River. The agreement addressed issues such as old growth deferrals, climate change, and biodiversity.
Poseidon has recently formed a distribution partnership with Fjord Miljø AS, a technology supplier based in Norway. This collaboration will enable Poseidon’s Life Support & Hybrid sea cage technology to reach a wider customer base in Norway, while ensuring that customers receive the high level of service and expertise that Fjord Miljø is known for.
The City of Campbell River is seeking a Bylaw Enforcement Officer to join their team.
COMOX VALLEY
Tree Island Yogurt are now operating at their new facility at 3747 Island Hwy S, Courtenay.
Joaquin Arroyo Beytia, Akwasi Boateng, Haiden Edwards and Mohammed Amaan Khan of North Island College came in second place in the most recent Western Canada Business Competition (WCBC) simulation. The team was put to the test by simulating the operation of a real-life action camera and commercial drone company.
The BGC Central Vancouver Island will be at 877 5th St, Courtenay, on April 15 for the Hiring Fair for brand new Comox Valley Clubs.
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is looking to implement a septic regulatory program within Electoral Areas A, B and C. Implementing a septic regulatory program helps reduce the impacts of sewage contamination in the local environment. The information session is on April 29th.
PORT ALBERNI
Two Councillors from the City of Port Alberni are attending the BC Council of Forest Industries Annual Convention on April 10 – 12 in Vancouver. The COFI annual convention brings together industry executives, managers, suppliers, business and professional services with government, community and First Nations leaders to discuss key challenges and opportunities for the forest sector.
The Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society hosted a groundbreaking event for a new 35-unit affordable housing development on the site of the former Glenwood School. Project partners include Ahousaht First Nation, the City of Port Alberni, BC Housing, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). Land was donated by the City of Port Alberni and $6.4M of funds were secured from BC Housing.
The Alberni Valley Makerspace has studio space available for rent.
Kuu-us Cafe & Gifts has newly opened on Gertrude Street.
Grade 11 and 12 students in the Outdoor Education program at Alberni District Secondary School are gaining outdoor skills and environmental stewardship experience from Mosaic Forest Management. With Skitka Silviculture, the students planted trees, and Mosaic has also permitted the class to raise funds by selling firewood permits for the waste wood on Alberni Valley cut blocks.
159 works of art from 80 artists were submitted for consideration to Alberni Art Rave for the upcoming exhibit the arts group is coordinating at the Alberni Valley Museum.
MLA Josie Osborne recently received a tour of the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society with Mike Ruttan and Bonnie Ruttan, two of the ALEHS board members. The very first Energy Step Code 4 affordable housing development in BC was built in Port Alberni: Maitland Street Village is a 46- home community with a playground, shared amenities, a common garden and BBQ area.
The Shoe Company, new to Port Alberni, is hosting a ribbon-cutting event on April 20th.
The McLean Mill 10k race was held last weekend, part of the Island Race series and sponsored by Ridge View Health & Performance.
Santosha Spa has launched new refillable organic products including hand soap, shampoo and conditioner, body lotions and more – with all products made on Vancouver Island.
China Creek Campground is officially open for the 2024 season.
Mayor Sharie Minions sat down with NDP MP Gord Johns to discuss how their governments can work together on issues that matter to Port Alberni and Port Alberni residents, such as healthcare, housing and cost of living.
The Alberni Pacific Railway Action Group is spearheading an initiative to develop a world-class, inclusive tourism experience that involves and sustains the operation of the historic railway line connecting the Port Alberni Train Station to the McLean Mill National Historic Site. Copies of the Request for Proposals solicitation document may be obtained from the Western Vancouver Island Industrial Heritage Society at www.ihsportalberni.ca/request-for-proposal. Other partners assisting with this effort include the Island Corridor Foundation, the Hupačasath First Nation, the Tseshaht First Nation, the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce, 4VI, the San Group Inc, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, Port Alberni Port Authority and the City of Port Alberni.
Tseshaht First Nation hosted a groundbreaking event at the new Somass Hall on April 2.
Nuu-chah-nulth Employment & Training Program is hosting its annual Career Fair at the Alberni Athletic Hall on April 11th.
A new art show has opened at The Grove Gallery, operated by the Community Arts Council. The show runs until April 26th.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
Roy Vickers has been appointed the first elder-in-residence of the BC Arts Council.
Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation is excited to announce the return of its highly successful Indigenous tourism experience to Tin Wis Resort in May.
Tla-o-qui-aht is engaged in a collaborative effort with Ahousaht and the Province of British Columbia to establish 77,000 hectares of Indigenous-led conservancies in Clayoquot Sound. This includes all tiimis areas covered by Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks.
The Tofino Arts Council has recently announced an exciting opportunity for artists to apply for funding through their Small Grants Program. Artists have until April 15th to submit their applications.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Lindsay and Associates Real Estate Professionals have moved to its location in Qualicum Beach at 113 W. 2nd Avenue.
Chef Lukas Exelby, an internationally acclaimed culinary expert, has been selected as the new executive chef of the Treetop Tapas & Grill at The Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Resort in Parksville.
NANAIMO
Roberto Donoghue is starting a new position as Coordinator, International Recruitment Services at Vancouver Island University.
Community Futures Central Vancouver Island is hosting ‘Connect’ with peers in your industry and discuss strategies for direct to consumer sales on April 17th. This session is facilitated by Farm Food Drink team members Bonnie Chomica, Heather Nichol and Sheena Gnos.
Shannon Williams has recently started a new role at Island Health – Vancouver Island Health Authority as Manager, Medical Staff Recruitment.
Calista Birch has been named the new Brand Ambassador at Vancouver Island Ferry Company.
ALPHA IT, Vancouver Island’s go-to source for managed IT services and cybersecurity solutions, is now a member of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance.
Mid Island Liquor is pleased to announce the launch of Island Sun Cream Ale, a new craft beer under the “My Island” label, brewed in collaboration with Wolf Brewing Company of Nanaimo.
The provincial government has just announced $7.1 million in initial funding for the Orca Lelum Youth Wellness Centre, which will be located north of Nanaimo on Snaw-Naw-As territory. This groundbreaking facility will be the first of its kind in B.C., providing detox services that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous youths.
TD is hiring for the Mobile Mortgage Specialist role across BC and AB.
Nominations are officially open for the prestigious, 2024 BC Food & Beverage awards.
New zoning laws for densification have been implemented by the province in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. These rules permit, at a minimum, four-plexes up to three stories tall on lots now zoned for single-family or duplex use, which means lots greater than 3,014 square feet.
Business After Business, presented by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, will be held at Chester Fields, 4906 Wellington Road, on April 25.
After joining United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1518, employees at two Trees Cannabis outlets in Nanaimo joined their coworkers at other sites throughout Vancouver Island, making Trees Cannabis the first private, wall-to-wall unionized cannabis chain in British Columbia.
A committee from the Nanaimo Town Hall is organizing a gathering on May 10 at Destiny Worship Centre for all citizens to learn about what is going on in the cities throughout British Columbia.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The Town of Ladysmith has been allocated $2.75 million from the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund for the decommissioning of the Holland Creek weirs and necessary repairs.
Bayview Brewing Company’s 2nd Birthday Celebration is happening.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The Phat Bastards Eats food truck, owned by Lucien Otte-Zimmerman, has moved to its new location at 130 Trans-Canada Hwy., just behind The Original Farm and near the Silver Bridge.
A chamber mix and mingle sponsored by the Scotiabank Women Initiative will take place at the bank’s 435 Trunk Road location on April 10.
Scotiabank and the Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce will be holding a dinner meeting at the Cowichan Golf Club, 4955 Trans-Canada Hwy., on April 23.
To better protect the Cowichan Valley Regional District and its residents during floods and severe weather emergencies, the province’s Community Emergency Preparedness Fund will allocate $267,080 to implement risk-reduction policies and procedures, and $150,000 to purchase mobile flood-control equipment for the Cowichan Tribes.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between BlueShore Financial and Coastal Community Credit Union to investigate the possibility of merging to create one of British Columbia’s biggest credit unions, which would serve the West Coast and Vancouver Island regions.
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