Your Weekly Dose of What’s Happening Across the Island
Another busy week on Vancouver Island — from major infrastructure news to community events and everything in between. Here’s what you need to know heading into the weekend.
Nanaimo’s Downtown Getting a Major Facelift
If you’ve driven through downtown Nanaimo lately, you’ve probably noticed things are changing — and fast. The city is moving ahead with its ambitious waterfront and downtown revitalization plan, anchored by a new 6,000-seat concert and events venue backed by a $25 million federal grant. The venue is expected to bring in over 150,000 visitors per year once it opens in late 2027, and it’s already generating buzz from promoters looking at mid-Island tour stops.
Beyond the venue, Nanaimo’s been quietly attracting new restaurants, breweries, and small businesses to the downtown core. If you haven’t been downtown in a while, it’s worth a visit — it doesn’t look like it did five years ago. The city is betting big on becoming a cultural hub for the central Island, and so far the momentum is real.
BC Ferries: New Ships Are Coming (Finally)
If you’ve been stuck at Swartz Bay watching your sailing disappear, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel — sort of. BC Ferries confirmed this week that construction is underway on new vessels as part of the federal government’s $500 million ferry renewal program. The new ships are expected to start hitting the water in 2028-2029, replacing some of the aging fleet that’s been causing cancellations and delays across the system.
In the meantime, service disruptions continue to be a regular headache, especially on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen routes. The advice hasn’t changed — book early, show up early, and have a backup plan. Anyone who’s relied on standby lately knows the pain. The new ships can’t come fast enough.
Cowichan Bay Herring Spawn Breaks Records
Right here in our backyard, Cowichan Bay saw one of the largest herring spawns in recent memory over the past two weeks. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans confirmed the spawn was significantly above average, turning the waters milky white along the shoreline — a sight that had locals and photographers lining the waterfront.
This is a big deal for the local ecosystem. Herring are the base of the food chain for everything from salmon to eagles to sea lions, and a strong spawn is a positive signal for the health of the Cowichan Bay marine environment. It’s also good news for the commercial herring fishery, which has been tightly managed in recent years due to declining stocks in other parts of BC.
If you haven’t walked the Cowichan Bay waterfront lately, spring is a beautiful time to do it. You might still catch the tail end of the spawn activity, and the eagles are out in force.
US-Canada Tariff War: What It Means on the Island
The trade situation between Canada and the US continues to dominate headlines, and Vancouver Island isn’t immune. The 25% tariffs on Canadian goods under the IEEPA have hit BC’s forestry sector hard — solid wood product exports are down nearly 40% compared to last year, and fabricated metal exports have dropped over 30%.
For Islanders, the ripple effects show up in a few ways. Construction material costs are climbing as lumber and steel prices adjust. Some forestry operations have scaled back shifts. And the broader uncertainty is making businesses cautious about hiring and expansion.
The one piece of good news: a US federal court struck down the IEEPA tariffs in late February, ruling them an illegal overreach of presidential authority. Refunds are being processed for importers who paid the duties. However, a new 10% tariff under Section 122 has already replaced it, so the relief is partial at best. The USMCA trade agreement review in 2026 will be the real battleground — stay tuned.
In the meantime, the “Buy Canadian” movement has real legs. Local businesses across the Island are seeing increased support from customers making a conscious effort to keep dollars in Canada.
Housing Starts Ticking Up in the Cowichan Valley
Good news if you’re in the trades — CMHC data shows housing starts in the Cowichan Valley are trending upward heading into spring 2026. After a slower 2025 driven by high interest rates and material costs, builders are getting back to work as rates stabilize and demand for housing on the Island stays strong.
Duncan, Lake Cowichan, and the Cobble Hill/Mill Bay corridor are seeing the most activity, with a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, and a few multi-unit projects in the pipeline. For contractors, equipment operators, and trades workers, this means a busier spring and summer ahead.
The challenge remains affordability — new builds aren’t cheap, and land costs in desirable areas keep climbing. But more supply is more supply, and the Valley needs it.
Oceanside Land Rezoning Sparks Community Debate
Up in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area, a proposed 1,500-acre land rezoning is generating serious community pushback. The development would convert agricultural and forest land into a massive mixed-use community, and residents are divided.
Supporters point to the housing crisis and the need for more supply in the Oceanside area. Critics argue it’s too large, threatens agricultural land, and raises concerns about First Nations consultation and environmental impact. Community meetings have been packed, and local council is under pressure from both sides.
This is one to watch — the outcome could set a precedent for how large-scale development happens on the Island going forward. The tension between housing demand and preserving the rural character that makes Vancouver Island special isn’t going away anytime soon.
Cowichan Valley Search and Rescue Needs Volunteers
Here’s one that hits close to home. Cowichan Search and Rescue is reporting historically low volunteer numbers at a time when call volumes are increasing. The team handles over 100 calls per year across the Valley — lost hikers, injured trail users, vehicle recoveries in remote areas, and swift water rescues.
They’re looking for new volunteers and the commitment is manageable — basic training is provided, and you don’t need to be a wilderness expert to contribute. If you’re reasonably fit, have some free time, and want to do something genuinely meaningful for your community, this is worth looking into.
Visit cowichansar.org to learn more about volunteering. These folks show up when it matters — the least we can do is make sure they have enough people to keep doing it.
What’s Coming Up This Week
A few things worth marking on your calendar:
- Duncan Farmers Market is gearing up for spring — check their social media for opening dates and vendor info
- Spring break activities are running across the Island for the next two weeks — local rec centres, museums, and nature centres have programming for kids
- Storm season isn’t quite done — Environment Canada is watching a system that could bring heavy rain and wind to the south Island mid-week. Secure anything loose and make sure your gutters are clear
Stay Connected
We publish these weekly roundups every Friday to keep you in the loop on what’s happening across Vancouver Island — no fluff, just the stuff that actually matters to people who live here. If you found this useful, share it with a neighbour.
Got a local story we should cover? Drop us a line — we’re always looking for tips from the community.
