Six of the seven candidates running in Nanaimo-Gabriola Island and Nanaimo-Lantzville attended an all-candidates forum at the Nanaimo Golf Club on Tuesday, Oct. 13, an event put on by the Nanaimo and District Chamber of Commerce.

On the topic of B.C. and the mid-Island’s economic future, BC Conservative candidate for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Mark MacDonald said if elected, they would “unleash the private sector” to bring higher-paying jobs to the community.

“Nanaimo needs big projects, because they promise higher-paying jobs. We need to provide more for our kids than providing coffee for kayak jobs…Harmac is wanting to add a major greenhouse that will provide up to 100 well-paying jobs, so Vancouver Island does not grow enough of its food. Imagine if Harmac, of all places, they want to put a major greenhouse in there…we will also focus on restoring the forest industry.”

BC Conservative candidate for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Mark MacDonald. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Speaking about local economic drivers, NDP incumbent for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Sheila Malcolmson said the NDP government has added several new local worker resources.

“With VIU at the centre of our economic driver, for us to have doubled trades training and added specifically for VIU, a number of trades training seats this summer, in addition to the trade centre that we built in 2018, I can so imagine the potential with federal commitments around ship-building, the great opportunities at the Port of Nanaimo. There’s very little unused industrial land in coastal B.C., but there we are at the Port. We’ve got huge opportunities to harness that federal, VIU worker partnership.”

She added an NDP government would focus public dollars on hiring B.C. workers and suppliers.

NDP Incumbent for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Sheila Malcolmson. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Candidate for the BC Communist Party for Nanaimo-Lantzville Pepper Saltman said there is a gap between what’s good for business and what’s good for the people, with her party prioritizing the people.

“What a workers’ government can do to address business uncertainty is to act as a reliable, major buyer for made-in-B.C. products and services. One example is our promise to build a massive amount of new social housing. This will make us a major buyer for B.C. trades and lumber that will keep mills open, and provide a real alternative to the export of raw logs.”

She also said if elected, her party would build all new BC Ferries in the province.

Candidate for the BC Communist Party in the Nanaimo-Lantzville riding Pepper Saltman. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

BC Conservative candidate for Nanaimo-Lantzville Kelsey Pringle said small businesses need more support, with huge economic consequences for the province when those businesses fail.

“We need to look at why our workforce is unemployed. We need to look at small businesses and how we help them. I’m a small business owner myself, my husband and I, and we work with small businesses across British Columbia, and taxes have been raised, it was something like 40 times since 2017, plus PST. This is unsustainable. This idea of taxing ourselves to prosperity is not working for small businesses.”

Candidate for the BC Conservative Party for Nanaimo-Lantzville Kelsey Pringle. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

BC Green Party candidate for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island Anna Mary McKenzie said she thinks we need to turn away from “divisive tactics” and work together locally and province-wide.

More support for young people, local farmers, and groceries, while turning towards each other and away from divisive tactics.

“We are in a trade war with the south, and to our east we have a province that’s deciding in the next couple of weeks that’s deciding within the next couple of weeks if we’ll be separating, so now is the time as British Columbians to really come together, once again to be supporting small business owners, to be supporting people here where we are at in this community, spending our dollars here.”

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island candidate for the BC Green Party Anna Mary McKenzie (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

NDP incumbent candidate in Nanaimo-Lantzville George Anderson said he’s heard how businesses are feeling the impact of tough economic times, and his government is focused on providing more opportunities to train B.C. workers.

“That’s where we need to be looking at our B.C. procurement program to make sure that B.C. businesses are put first, rather than saying, ‘Let’s look to the United States,’ like Conservatives are saying, we should line up with Donald Trump. We need to look at creating the best British Columbia possible by ensuring we’re uplifting every single business in British Columbia.”

Anderson said government should stand up and protect every citizen, and the BC Conservatives have brought “divisiveness” to the province.

NDP incumbent candidate for Nanaimo-Lantzville George Anderson. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

BC Green Party candidate for Nanaimo-Lantzville Sharleen Weatherley was the only candidate not in attendance.

Election day for the provincial vote is Oct. 24, with advance voting available between Oct. 16-21.

More details on local candidates can be found in our Provincial Election section.

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Advance voting opens again on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at a variety of locations across the mid-Island, depending on which municipality or jurisdiction you’re casting a ballot in.

City of Nanaimo voters are directed to Beban Park Social Centre (2300 Bowen Rd.), those in Parksville should visit the Jensen Centre, while Town of Qualicum Beach residents should go to the Civic Centre on Jones St.

Unsure who to vote for in the City of Nanaimo? Use our Know Your Vote tool. Answer some simple questions and get a customized ranking of Council candidates based on how much you agree with them.

Anecdotally, turnout on the first advance voting day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, was relatively strong, with poll workers mentioning to people NanaimoNewsNOW spoke with that they’d seen a very busy rush in Nanaimo around the lunch hour, with a steady stream of voters also attending before and after dinner.

The District of Lantzville is directing advance voters to Costin Hall, while those in the Regional District of Nanaimo will vote in their respective electoral area, with a complete list available here.

General election day is Saturday, Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Over the next few weeks, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 13, crews from the Regional District of Nanaimo will be along Hammond Bay Rd., between Prince John Way and Tiki Way, digging or drilling small holes to take samples of the ground underneath the roadway.

James Haddou, RDN manager of capital project delivery, told NanaimoNewsNOW the subsurface investigations are a critical final step before the Departure Bay Forcemain Twinning Project begins early in 2027.

“Those are to understand what kind of soils are actually under the road and how deep is the rock under the road where we plan to do our construction. This is to inform the detailed design of our work and the extent of the work.”

The project involves the installation of around four kilometres of new sewer forcemain, from the pump station at Departure Bay beach to a treatment plant on McGuffie Rd.

It will be replacing infrastructure over 50 years old and accounts for around 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater.

Holes will be dug to a depth of around three metres, which will be where the new forcemain will be situated.

Haddou said up to two crews will be on the corridor most days, digging or drilling holes before covering them back up with a temporary patch.

While there is a lot of information about the ground composition in the area from past projects, the depth of this project is presenting a challenge.

“There hasn’t necessarily been done and information collected exactly where we’re going to be doing our work, and the force main that we’re installing is parallel to our existing [infrastructure] and is deeper than most of the utilities. This is really making sure that we do our due diligence to prevent surprises.”

Once the investigation work wraps, barring any surprising findings, the project in earnest will begin early next year.

Extensive traffic disruptions are expected, with vehicles detoured away from the work zone to either the north of south.

Specific disruptions will be communicated ahead of time by the City and Regional District.

More information on the project, including the latest updates on work, is available through the RDN’s Get Involved page.

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The Blackfalds Bulldogs scored in the first minute off a Matthew Croxall backhand to take one of their three leads in the contest.

Caden Okotiva tied the score before the game was three minutes old on a steal and quick shot to the top of the net.

At one point in the opening frame the shots were 9-2 in favour of the Bulldogs, although the Clippers narrowed that margin to 12-5 by period’s end.

The teams quickly traded goals in the second period as well with Luke Walkauskas and Nanaimo’s Drew Roelofs within a two-minute span.

Croxall’s second of the game on a third-period power play broke the tie and secured Blackfalds the win.

The Bulldogs’ Nico Armellin took the win in net over Hugo Laring with the Clippers being outshot 33-19.

Nanaimo ended the day going 0/2 on the man advantage and 2/3 killing penalties.

The two teams have now concluded their season series with each team winning once.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Clippers will play the Brooks Bandits in a rematch of the 2026 BCHL Finals at 9 a.m. Pacific time.

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The announcement was made at the Millstone Medical Building on Nanaimo’s Dufferin Cres., on Tuesday, Oct. 13, by BC Conservative MLA for Courtenay-Comox Brennan Day.

In a news release, Day said this money commitment would help advance the long-awaited project to provide life-saving cardiac treatment for more than 450,000 residents on the mid and North Island.

“For someone experiencing a serious heart attack, minutes matter. We have hundreds of thousands of people living north of the Malahat, and we are still transporting patients hours away to access treatments that should be available much closer to home. That is a serious gap in our health-care system, and it needs to be addressed.”

The provincial government officially accepted an offer from the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District back in March to front costs of concept and business planning for a catheterization lab at NRGH, advancing the project but keeping it out of provincial budgets for now.

The NRHD’s commitment came in December, when the governing board offered an initial balance of $50 million toward the project in a bid to kickstart momentum.

Hospital Districts are required to pay for 40 per cent of capital expenditures for healthcare projects.

“This is not just about Nanaimo,” Day added. “It is about families in Parksville, Qualicum Beach, the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Port Alberni and communities right up the North Island. People shouldn’t have to live near Victoria or Vancouver to have timely access to critical cardiac care.”

The B.C. government’s 2026 budget tabled in mid-February pledged to advance the development of new acute care projects, including planning to expand NRGH.

New intensive care and high acuity units were completed in recent years, while the Nanaimo Cancer Centre is presently under construction and is expected to open in 2028.

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Data from the Multiple Listings Service (MLS), compiled by search platform Zealty, shows of the 671 active listings in the Nanaimo region, as of Friday, Oct. 9, approximately one-third, or 214, have had a price cut since they were put on the market.

On average, prices have been cut on the affected properties by around 3.6 per cent, equating to around $30,000 below the previous asking price.

Single-detached homes make up a majority of the properties with a price cut, with 122 of the 214 listings.

Apartments, townhouses, manufactured homes, duplexes, and multi-family homes make up the remaining properties, with manufactured homes accounting for the deepest cuts on average at around 4.8 per cent.

Duplexes were the most resilient, at around 2.75 per cent.

In Nanaimo, the city’s north end has the most cuts, with 33, resulting in about $1.1 million in overall reductions.

South Nanaimo (27), the Old City Quarter (16), and Uplands/Pleasant Valley (15 each) follow.

However, areas with the deepest median cuts were Upper Lantzville (five per cent), north Jingle Pot (4.3 per cent), Cedar (4.2 per cent) and Brechin Hill (3.9 per cent).

Chase River (1.3 per cent) and south Jingle Pot (two per cent) showed the smallest median cuts, however the number of listings is also less.

Nanaimo sits in the middle of an Island-wide situation, with roughly 32 per cent of properties seeing a price cut while on the market.

Campbell River leads Vancouver Island, among regions tracked by Zealty, with nearly 45 per cent of listings having their price lowered, followed by the Cowichan Valley (38.2 per cent), the North Island (37.5 per cent) and Comox Valley (35.8 per cent).

Parksville-Qualicum

Price changes appear to be affecting Oceanside sellers less, with only 90 of the 413 (21.8 per cent) active listings as of Friday showing any sort of price reduction.

It makes the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region one of the most resilient places for Real Estate pricing on Vancouver Island.

Despite fewer properties impacted, the cuts to those listings are sharper, with an average of 4.2 per cent, or just over $42,000.

Cuts in the region are weighted to higher-end properties, with a four-bed duplex on McKibbon Rd. in Errington dropping its asking price by nearly $300,000, while a seven-bed home in Qualicum Beach dropped $295,000 to $3.1 million.

Nearly one-third of listings with cuts in Oceanside are priced at $1 million or more.

Fairwinds (6.7 per cent), and Nanoose (4.5 per cent) saw the deepest median cuts, while French Creek and Little Qualicum River Village have experienced less.

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NANAIMO — Perhaps nowhere among the results of our Know Your Vote survey were candidates more neutral and on the fence, than when it came to addressing increasing community amenities with providing core services.

When asked to respond to the statement “Improving community amenities, such as additional recreation centres, ice rinks, pools, parks, etc. should carry a higher priority than other non-essential infrastructure upgrades (road surface improvements, Departure Bay Walkway, etc),” 22 per cent of those surveys agreed, 22 per cent disagreed, and 56 per cent remained neutral.

Many candidates stressed both are important, and a challenge to juggle with other civic responsibilities.

Editor’s note: Candidate responses included in this article are taken directly from their Know Your Vote survey submissions. Not all candidates will appear in each story, however NanaimoNewsNOW will endeavour to provide fair and equal representation of candidates across this series.

“One of the main concerns I hear from young people is a lack of Third Spaces,” Malcolm Cooke said, the lone candidate to ‘strongly agree’ with the statement. “Places outside of home and work where people can gather for activities. I believe more effort should be put in to create Third Spaces.”

“Recreation centres and other free and accessible third spaces aren’t optional for a vibrant and healthy community – they’re essential parts of the social infrastructure that makes a city worth living in,” Meg Fyfe Watkins said.

“This conversation has come up a lot, and I think it’s important that we keep it going as we look at Nanaimo’s priorities,” Marnie Boers added.

Those against prioritizing community amenities said infrastructure and community safety, of all kinds, are what needs to be focused on.

“You have to do it all,” incumbent Janice Perrino said in disagreement. “However, making sure our infrastructure is safe, and working well has to come first but you also need to make sure the pools are safe for families, the recreation centres are doing what they need to do to keep the doors open and their customers are happy. You have to balance all amenities and infrastructure at the same time.”

“These facilities are VERY expensive and must be carefully planned,” Bill McKay added.

Most of those in the middle said both categories are equally as important and must be approached in similar fashions.

“The real test is not which category wins, it is applying the same scope-and-cost discipline to all of them given how much construction costs have already escalated, and recognizing that intangible benefits, community wellbeing, civic pride, quality of life, come from a well maintained road and a scenic waterfront just as much as from a new rec centre, not exclusively from one category over another,” Zaki Mohammed said.

“Each project needs to be looked at and then prioritized,” incumbent Sheryl Armstrong added. “We have to ensure our road services stay in good shape or it will cost a lot of money to improve at a later date.”

“I would not rank these categories against each other in the abstract,” incumbent Ben Geselbracht said. “My test is what delivers the greatest benefit to the most people within time and budget, shaped by real public input. Our City Plan lists the community’s priorities, staff maintain 5, 10 and 20-year capital plans, and council adjusts the order every year as needs change.”

“Everything in balance, taking into account funding sources, benefits, safety and needs,” Andrew Merilees responded.

In recent years, considerable ground has been gained in finally developing a south end community centre, with the purchase of land in Chase River in 2025.

Nearly three quarters of candidates believe development of the facility should meaningfully proceed with construction as soon as possible, with only eight per cent disagreeing and the remaining 19 percent neutral.

“I am told by long-time residents of Chase River and Cinnabar Valley, where I also grew up, that the South End Community Centre was promised by the City of Nanaimo in 1975 when the community of Chase River amalgamated with the City of Nanaimo,” Cameron Leckenby said in strong agreement.

“The south end has waited a long time for a community centre, and I believe it’s an important investment in youth, seniors, families, and community connection,” Angela Hope Waldick said. Recreation spaces give people places to be active, build relationships, and strengthen neighbourhoods. At the same time, I want the project to move forward responsibly.”

“The south end development should certainly proceed,” Ryan Djakovic said. “But we should consider turning the current dump into parkland and finding a more suitable area for the dump. This will improve property values in the development and increase revenue for the city as a result.”

“Moving quickly makes sense, but committing to construction before knowing the full price could conflict with fiscal responsibility,” Max MacKay said.

Those who remained neutral said funding is a big question mark.

“A review of the cost and the increase to taxpayers must be explored,” Sandy Bartlett said. “Alternative methods to fund the build could be reviewed I would look at selling some of the city owned assets including land holdings.”

“A south end community centre has real merit, but timing should reflect community need, a responsible funding plan and the City’s other critical infrastructure priorities,” Patrick Gunville said.

“As much as I love the idea of this, I consider it a want more than a need and would like to see some of the serious deficiencies cleared up before allocating $millions to this,” Mayoral candidate Anne Marie Dryden stated. “An important issue to south enders is having an alternate route out of Cinnabar in case of emergencies.”

Three candidates disagreed, again citing price as a major issue.

“Depending on size. If it is the size of Oliver Woods and comes at a similar price tag the yes,” Jeff Annesley said. If it is the proposed $150-200 million project it must have voter assent through referendum.”

“I still believe that all ideas and suggestions should be considered but thought out for the plan to be succesfull,” Shane Crawley said.

“Share the space with Chase river elementary school,” Holden Southward added, as the long candidate in strong disagreement.

Forty-two per cent of candidates disagreed a new ice surface, arena or pool facility should be a high priority project, with a further 44 per cent neutral in their views.

While community connection projects, such as the proposed Departure Bay walkway, drew even less support with almost half in disagreement on whether they should be considered with equal importance to critical infrastructure.

Twenty-eight per cent of candidates agreed, while a quarter were neutral.

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The Parksville Beach Festival Society announced their annual community give-back donation on Friday, Oct. 9, made up of a portion of gate donations from visitors to the popular sand sculpting competition this past summer.

Society president Cheryl Dill said a record $89,270 will be shared between 24 local non-profit organizations and community groups who helped staff the entrance gate through the multi-week event.

“As a not-for-profit society, we want to invest in what we do, and part of that is recognizing how important volunteerism is to Parksville Beach Festival Society. We were able to surpass last year’s donation slightly and honour all of that great work that our volunteers do.”

This year’s donation sees the Society pass $1.2 million in donations made since 1999.

Among those receiving funds for various community programs and events are Arrowsmith Care Home Society, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Oceanside Community Safety Volunteers, Parksville Lions Club and Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach.

The 2026 festival attracted around 119,480 visitors through the gates to view incredible works of sand art, sculpted over a few days in July.

Dill said while overall donations were slightly down from those attending, their relationships in the community have enabled bigger givebacks over the years.

“We also have a lot of in-kind donations from organizations that help us set up the event…whether that’s through fencing, through traffic control, through provision of the sand. We’re incredibly grateful to these contractors who are local in our community that recognize the value of giving back as well.”

Organizers are turning their focus towards the 2027 event, with Dill telling NanaimoNewsNOW they’re “keen not to disappoint” every year.

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The Mariners have an exhibition game on Saturday, Oct. 17 against the Island Surge and they’ll have a home game a week later against an opponent to be detemined.

Team president, general manager and coach Kris Kennedy said the idea to start the team came from his own experience with his daughters going through the female hockey system.

“I just watched a lot of friends and family and players that I coached have to leave the Island to go play elsewhere. I just saw with the numbers growing and being involved with everything that it was time that we started trying to look at doing something here in Nanaimo.”

The Mariners will play in the BCIHL along with two other teams, Thompson Rivers University and the Okanagan Lakers.

The hope is to play nearly 40 games with eight to ten at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.

‘We’re doing three showcases, two in Logan Lake and one in Kelowna, and we’re hoping to host one here in the new year at some point where other teams come to us. With exhibition games included there’s going to be various teams we’re going to play throughout the year that we’re working on as well. This year we’re just trying to get as many games as we can in, then adding another team or two next year.”

The Mariners have 16 players on their roster with about 80 percent from from the Nanaimo area.

In early October the club announced its leadership group including captain Rhys Winchell of Nanaimo, Addison Battie from Campbell River and Emmy McKinnon out of Nanaimo.

Kennedy said those players and others bring a lot of experience to the table from different levels and many of them already know each other.

“We’re very quick, which is great and we’ve got a little edge to us too. We’re really excited about how this will go, and it’s also girls who have played on teams together in some capacity over the years in their minor hockey careers, and a bit of their collegiate career as well.”

The BCIHL season is just about to begin but the Mariners already know where it will end.

The three league teams will play in a championship tournament in March at Thompson Rivers University.

Kennedy said a near full schedule should be released some time in October.

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The incident took place on March 13, 2026, involving the offender, 13 years old at the time, and a victim described at Nanaimo Law Courts as having the intellectual capacity of a four- to five-year-old.

The offender elected to plead guilty as opposed to the matter proceeding to trial.

Names of the parties involved can’t be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The complainant was walking home from school when the offender threw a pine cone at him, outlined Crown counsel Meghan Rahme.

According to an agreed statement of facts, the victim grabbed the offender’s backpack, then received several punches, which didn’t lead to long-lasting injuries.

Another student in the vicinity intervened to break up the altercation.

Defence attorney James Arends told court his client has since performed well on release conditions and is undergoing counselling.

In offering context to the offence, Arends noted his client himself has some developmental issues, adding the victim’s brother also got involved.

“There were certain issues of self-defence and a consensual fight were at play here…”

The offender was handed a conditional discharge and six months probation.

Court was told the offender benefits from supportive parents, who were in court for the Oct. 1 sentencing hearing.

Judge Brian Harvey told the offender that he won’t have a youth record if he abides by his probation conditions, which includes counselling provisions and no contact with the victim, with the exception of incidental contact at school.

“To your credit you’ve taken responsibility, and you’ve done well on bail,” judge Harvey said.

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