Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years – The Discourse. Three residents share their stories about how the toxic drug crisis has impacted them.

As B.C’s public health emergency related to toxic drugs marks 10 years of death, we spoke with three Nanaimo residents who have been directly affected by the crisis
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/nana...

Broombusters marks 20 years of fighting invasive Scotch broom on Vancouver Island.

Scotch broom being busted on Vancouver Island – The Discourse. This volunteer organization is removing invasive species to reduce wildfire risk and protect biodiversity.

Broombusters marks 20 years of fighting invasive Scotch broom on Vancouver Island.

This is great to see. As a now older, retired punk, we used to play shows around the island in town halls and school gyms. Spaces like the Globe Live really matter. They give youth a proper place to gather, create, and play, and they give parents something solid to support.

At the centre of Nanaimo’s all-ages punk scene – The Discourse. Why hundreds of youth, and a few parents, pack all-ages punk shows at The Globe Live Studio every weekend.

"Every weekend, there’s kids here at The Globe going crazy,” Says Fin Edwards who books shows at The Globe Live Studio. “There’s a ton of different bands and the kids are starting bands now too.”

One of the rare heartwarming posts to slide into my feed today.

Gotta love the punks!!

Electronic music scene in Nanaimo gets new monthly event – The Discourse. New monthly electronic music night in Nanaimo to showcase Island DJs this weekend.

Nanaimo’s new monthly electronic music night Common kicks off this Saturday featuring DJs, live musicians and dancers from across the Island. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/a-co...

OneBC leader brings controversial politics to Nanaimo – The Discourse. Provincial party’s leader Dallas Brodie calls to throw out B.C. Indigenous rights law, reconciliation and the federal Indian Act. We fact-checked what she said.

OneBC leader Dallas Brodie promised to throw out B.C. Indigenous rights law, reconciliation and the federal Indian Act at a recent meeting in Nanaimo. We fact-checked what she said. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/pack...

Concerned residents push for permanent shelter for unhoused locals in Duncan – The Discourse. As a temporary winter shelter in Duncan closes its doors, unhoused residents are faced with few other options for housing.

‘Once again, these folks are getting evicted to nowhere.’

Dozens of unhoused Duncan residents could soon lose their homes as a temporary winter shelter prepares to close — with no permanent replacement in sight.

Community members are demanding local governments act before it's too late.

Future Nanaimo data centre has water use capped – The Discourse. Development permit for data centre in Nanaimo approved, but with conditions.

The development of a controversial data centre in Nanaimo was approved by city staff and includes a covenant capping its water use. But some critics are still opposed to the project. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/city...

Ben Bankas' Nanaimo show to go ahead despite opposition – The Discourse. Community members want proceeds of sold-out show by outrage comedian Ben Bankas to be donated to Nanaimo Pride and Indigenous organizations

UPDATE: The Port Theatre Society announced in a statement on March 5 that the sold-out Ben Bankas show has been cancelled due to safety concerns. Read our background story on the city council meeting that preceded this decision.

Events in Nanaimo March 6 to 11, 2026 – The Discourse. Music, art and community events in Nanaimo from March 6 to 11, 2026.

From Vivaldi's Four Seasons by candlelight to heavy metal at The Globe Live Studio and a family barn dance see what's happening in Nanaimo tonight in The Hub Nanaimo, your insider guide to the best in community arts and culture. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/the-...

Herring spawn being boosted by Indigenous conservation group – The Discourse. Your guide to herring spawning etiquette and where to see it on the Salish Sea.

The herring spawn is turning the Salish Sea a beautiful blueish green and attracting plentiful wildlife and human visitors who want to see the annual spectacle. Here’s what you need to know about how to see, and respect, the spawning. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/how-...

Ben Bankas' Nanaimo show to go ahead despite opposition – The Discourse. Community members want proceeds of sold-out show by outrage comedian Ben Bankas to be donated to Nanaimo Pride and Indigenous organizations

Nanaimo city council voted to send a letter to The Port Theatre asking it to review its booking policies but did not cancel a show by comedian Ben Bankas over his offensive jokes about residential “schools”, immigrants, 2SLGBTQIA+ people and racialized minorities. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/why-...

Snuneymuxw reserve lands included in City of Nanaimo boundary – The Discourse. New boundaries will allow people living on the reserves to vote in city elections this fall.

The City of Nanaimo is proposing that its boundary be changed to include the reserve lands of Snuneymuxw First Nation, which will allow people living on reserves the right to vote in city elections for the first time. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/why-...

How Nanaimo schools prepare for emergencies – The Discourse. ‘Being safe at schools has a lot to do with knowing your neighbours and supporting them,’ says local parent.

Schools in Nanaimo say they’re prepared for emergencies. But teachers say more can be done to ensure student and educator safety, in the wake of the mass shooting in Tumbler Ridge. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/how-...

I won gold at the Canadian Online Publishing Awards for my story on the demolition of the Anderton Arms apartments in Courtenay! I had a lot of support from @thediscourse.ca's Island Editor @shalumehta.bsky.social for edits on this story 🥳. canadianonlinepublishingawards.com/2025/winners

Nanaimo march calls for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls – The Discourse. No More Stolen Sisters Memorial March to take place Friday, Feb. 13 in downtown Nanaimo.

“I've seen family go missing, I've seen friends — I've seen everything,” said Lugil Wilaaysm Hanaa (Hyla McQuaid), who is organizing the No More Stolen Sisters Memorial March in Nanaimo with the VIU Students' Union. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/nana...

Events in Nanaimo Feb. 5 to 12, 2026 – The Discourse. Music, art and community events in Nanaimo from Feb. 5 to 12, 2026.

The John Barsby School of Rock will perform tonight at VIU's Malaspina Theatre. See what else in happening this weekend in The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/the-...

Black History Month events in Nanaimo 2026 – The Discourse. Black History Month events in Nanaimo, B.C. for February 2026.

Celebrate Nanaimo's Black community by attending Black History Month events in our city.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/blac...

How a Comox Valley fossil discovery forever changed paleontology in B.C. The untold story behind Mike and Heather Trask’s fossil discovery and ‘the incredible importance of curiosity.’

Mike and Heather Trask’s Comox Valley-based fossil discovery in 1988 inspired a flood of amateur paleontologists. It also inspired the first paleontological society in B.C. and led to the creation of a policy to protect fossils.

Read the story:
thediscourse.ca/comox-valley...

Regional District of Nanaimo developing policy on full-time living in recreational vehicles – The Discourse. District staff will also create a rural housing strategy.

People in the Regional District of Nanaimo may soon be able to live in RVs full time. The district is developing a policy on this as well as a rural housing strategy, a move that has been applauded by the B.C. RV Alliance. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/regi...

Art exhibition shines a light on Nanaimo’s Chinatowns – The Discourse. Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown is on display until March 22, 2026 at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

A new exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery features archival photos and contemporary art works exploring the history of Nanaimo’s Chinatowns. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/art-...

I'm working on a story for @thediscourse.ca! I want to chat to Comox Valley folks about what you're doing to prep for various different emergency scenarios: Climate, geopolitical, natural disaster, etc… Have you experienced an emergency? what did you do/ learn? Are you prepared currently?

Welcome to the American Winter In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, something profound is happening.

The Atlantic Magazine just dropped a tremendous story on the Minnesota Resistance. The author is a war correspondent & sees the echoes of leaderless community empowerment around the globe: www.theatlantic.com/politics/202... (supposed to be a gift link, might not work, it’s in Apple News, too.)

Events in Nanaimo for Jan. 22 to 28, 2026 – The Discourse. Music from Star Wars, Star Trek and The Planets to collide at The Port Theatre.

Curators Jesse Birch and Imogene Lim, along with exhibition artists will hold an informal community gathering today at 1 p.m. to celebrate the exhibition Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

Nothing hits like the sound of the Imperial March.

I still have my Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back LPs fron the 80s. The force is strong in John Williams.

Community Safety Officer program in Nanaimo an alternative to police – The Discourse. Community Safety Officers are helping respond to Nanaimo’s homelessness crisis, but councillors and experts say more supports are needed.

I did a deep dive into Nanaimo's Community Safety Officer program. I spoke with experts, city councillors, business owners, social service providers and people who are unhoused. I went out on patrol with a CSO team to see their work firsthand. Here's what I saw. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/comm...

Events in Nanaimo for the week of Jan. 15 to 21, 2026 – The Discourse. These events listings are from The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture.

Check out Nanaimo's newest poetry reading series Grub Street tonight at The Vault Cafe and get all your music, arts and community events listings from our weekly newsletter The Hub.

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...