News Impacting Central and North Vancouver Island
NORTH ISLAND
Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is pleased to announce preliminary metallurgical results from Northwest Expo showing combined flotation and leach recoveries of 88.7 per cent to 92.6 per cent for gold and 68.7 per cent to 87.7 per cent for copper.
The Malcolm Island Community Event Society (MICE) has secured funding to support a 60-kilometre back-country bike race that encircles the island on June 30th
An advanced therapy that targets tumours with a high dose of focused radiation while sparing surrounding healthy tissue is now available in the Island Health region, providing another potential treatment option closer to home for liver cancer patients.
Rexall Port Hardy is currently undergoing renovations.
CAMPBELL RIVER
The proposed fish trap, which will supply three nearby First Nations with salmon for their social, ceremonial, and nutritional needs, is scheduled to be constructed this summer with a budget of over $1 million from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). This collaboration involves A-Tlegay Fisheries Society, the We Wai Kai First Nation, Wei Wai Kum First Nation, LGL Limited and Wild Fish Conservancy.
The yearly education and career fair of North Island College (NIC) returns to Campbell River on March 12. Job seekers can network with local employers at the CareerCentral Live events on campus during the Campbell River event.
Homalco First Nation is introducing a new construction technology to tackle a significant housing shortage and address the shortage of trades for renovations and new construction. Rohe Homes will oversee every step of the project, from obtaining permits to tenant move-in.
The Government of Canada‘s Housing Accelerator Fund has awarded Campbell River $10.4 million to increase housing supply, diversity, and affordability.
Campbell River & District Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a new netwokring event called the SPEED B2B Mixer on March 14 from 5-6:30 at the Anchor Inn Restaurant. Attendance is free, but registration is required by email at mailto:exdir@crchamber.ca
COMOX VALLEY
Carrie McVeigh has taken on a new position at Comox Valley Schools – School District 71 as their Secretary-Treasurer/CFO.
Bianca Olson recently started working as a teacher at Comox Valley Schools – School District 71.
Bistro 19 at Glacier Greens has officially opened on March 1st in the Comox Valley.
On March 8, women’s accomplishments in the automobile business will be celebrated with Georgia Straight Collision at “Driven Women,” an event held at Comox Valley Dodge, 278 N Island Hwy, Courtenay.
A community strategy and needs assessment for homelessness are being developed in collaboration with the Comox Valley Regional District by Jessica Hum, Adina Israel, Wendy Simon and Lisa Moffatt.
The Comox Air Show is being held at 19 Wing on Saturday, 18 May from 9am to 4pm.
PORT ALBERNI
Sharie Minions
Sharie Minions is starting a new position as the Director, Mortgages at Wealthsimple.
Juliana Koons, a local adjuster, is ready to assist clients in the area at ClaimsPro’s newly opened office site in Port Alberni.
The Futurpreneur BC Team’s Port Alberni – #OwnersWanted INFO Session is set for March 7 at the Cafe Wildflower, 5047 Argyle St. in Port Alberni.
The Truck Loggers Association is inviting its members for a networking event on March 27 at the Best Western Plus Barclay Hotel, 4277 Stamp Ave, Port Alberni.
Port Alberni Port Authority is seeking nominations to fill two positions on the Board of Directors.
TOFINO – UCLUELET
The Wilson’s Group of Companies is reintroducing the “Tofino Bus,” with initial trips along Vancouver Island starting on Easter weekend.
The District of Tofino is in search of a Director, Corporate Services to provide effective financial leadership for a progressive and complex organization.
New government legislation will prohibit AirBnB and VRBO vacation rentals in BC cities over 10,000 starting May 1, 2024. Homeowners can rent their main home and one additional suite or auxiliary dwelling unit for stays under 30 days. Regulatory violations can result in $50,000 penalty.
Wya Point Beach in Ucluelet was featured in the episode of the new Shogun TV mini series. Due to delays caused by COVID, the movie, which was originally supposed to be filmed in Japan, was relocated to BC, using Ucluelet and Port Moody for production locations.
PARKSVILLE – QUALICUM BEACH
Permelia Parham, the Founder of The Healing Institute, has been awarded the Local Business Person of the Year by Alignable.
Shannon Ryan, a yoga teacher, has joined the team at Namaskar Yoga Studio in Parkville.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce is still accepting nominations to join the board.
The Parksville Lions Housing Society‘s application to construct a non-market rental building at 1225 Franklin Gulls Road was approved by the City of Parksville city council on February 21.
The Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce welcomes its newest members, AY Victoria Realty Ltd and Paladin Security – Nanaimo.
NANAIMO
The BC Securities Commission and the Board of Trade will launch a new short course on mining on April 8 for industry professionals and capital-raisers, at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
A minimum of $237 million will be invested by the province of British Columbia to guarantee that the nurse-to-patient ratios set for various hospital settings are met. There will be signing bonuses for urban nursing vacancies that are difficult to fill and nearly $170 million in one-time funding to increase rural retention incentives.
A brand-new wellness and health program for Gabriola Island has received the green light from the Regional District of Nanaimo. A part-time position worth $50,592 plus a 2 per cent RDN administrative fee will be piloted in the first year. The service pays a 2 per cent RDN administration fee for a full-time position, which costs $100,600 annually.
The BC Government launched the new Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Centre of Excellence, which has received an investment of $7.1 million from the province.
Big Brother & Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island hosts the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce March Business After Business at 2030 Northfield Road, Nanaimo BC, on Thursday, March 21.
Vince Nails has officially opened its doors at Brooks Landing Shopping Centre, located at 2000 Island Hwy N in Nanaimo.
Enex Fuels Ltd. will relocate from McCullough Road to 4436 Boban Drive, Nanaimo, on March 25.
The Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year on May 24-25
eXp Realty Canada has recognized the Alvin Tan Group as one of the top ten teams for the month of January.
The Business Expo will be held at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on March 28th, as announced by the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce.
LADYSMITH – CHEMAINUS
The added-value division in Chemainus of Western Forest Products will soon have a continuous dry kiln, as the company has already completed a new kiln at the Saltair sawmill, which cost $12 million.
The Film Fest of the Chemainus Theatre Festival will be held on March 8th and 9th.
Repeat Boutique located at 9686 Chemainus Rd, Chemainus, will be closed until April 4th to make room for renovations.
Ladysmith is transforming its historic logging machine shop into a vibrant Arts & Heritage hub. The initiative to repurpose the old machine shop stemmed from the nation-to-nation waterfront redevelopment plans between the Town of Ladysmith and Stz’uminus First Nation. The Town of Ladysmith previously received $3,307,500 through the Federal government’s Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)- Rural and Northern Communities for Hub projects.
COWICHAN – DUNCAN
The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce celebrated the opening of the annual Dine & Sip Cowichan Festival, which will run through March 24th.
Tiptons Gas Bar, owned by Jay and Karen deGoesbriand, is set to close on April 30. The proprietors have announced their retirement and have also sold their other business, Cowichan Pet Emporium, which will continue to operate at 170 Cowichan Lake Rd., under new ownership.
The Brazen Fork, a well-liked food stand at 1530 Cowichan Bay Rd. in Cowichan Bay, is now offering pizzas.
Cowichan Housing Association and Cowichan Tribes are leading a Festubert Street affordable-housing project for those in need. The partners received $800,000 from Infrastructure Canada’s Reaching Home program for land acquisition and preliminary development costs for New Foundations, which must be spent by March 31.
Floyd Augustine, a Youbou resident, successfully appealed BC Assessment’s 2023 valuation of his coastal property, which resulted in a $3,200 tax rebate. The property’s value was decreased from $2,136,000 to $1,500,000.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) Vancouver Island announces the Board of Directors for the 2024 calendar year.
2024 Board of Directors – Executive Committee
- Chair: Richard Michaels, Maccrim Solutions
- Vice Chair: Ian Taylor, Think Communications
- Past Chair: Mike Regimbal, Consultant
- Treasurer: Robyn Walle, Baker Tilly
- Secretary: Gary Eisenstein, Falcon-Software
- Member at Large: Walter J. Donald, The Executive Network
Directors
- Mark Breslauer, Commissionaires
- Mike Darling, Staff Sergeant, Victoria Police Department
- Derek Ballman, FloFORM Countertops for Life
- Bruce Simpson, Hatley Memorial Gardens
- Gregg Meiklejohn, Consultant
- Steve Gaskin, Lighthouse Wealth
Honorary Life Director
- Paul Chow, Retired
Independent Legal Counsel
- Sharon Cartmill-Lane, Pearlman Lindholm, Barristers & Solicitors
A rooftop solar photovoltaic system screening, an energy audit of the band office, and heat pump installations in priority residences will all be funded by the province, with over $150,000 going to Malahat Nation.
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Send your business news regarding anniversaries, announcements or new employees to media@businessexaminer.ca