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Welcome to Nanaimo This Week, your source of community news and local solutions. Did a friend forward this email to you? Subscribe to this newsletter. |
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On Monday, I went to the Nanaimo city council meeting to report changes to council’s meeting procedure bylaw.
On the face of it this sounds like a mundane bit of procedural housekeeping that would warrant little attention by local media.
But the reason for the bylaw change is telling. Nanaimo city council has been grappling with how to address a small group of residents who have been attending city council meetings, holding at times offensive protest signs against city council, and giving scathing “presentations” to council calling on the mayor to resign.
The bylaw changes will prohibit the use of electronic devices and bans photography, audio or video recording by any member of the public, including reporters.
Two city councillors, Hillary Eastmure and Sheryl Armstrong, spoke out against this change saying it violates the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects freedom of expression and freedom of the press.
I spoke with experts at the Canadian Civil Liberties Association and the Canadian Association of Journalists, as well as Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog, about the bylaw and if its ban on photography and recording, without permission of the chair, is justified or if it violates the rights of the residents of Nanaimo. You can read the full story on our website.
Thank you for reading,
Mick Sweetman
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Nanaimo city council recording ban violates civil liberties, experts say
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Civil liberty and journalism experts are concerned that a ban on recording at Nanaimo city council meetings will infringe on residents’ Charter rights.
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| Read the full story |
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I support The Discourse because... |
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"t is so important for local news in our community. The media is under threat as the safeguard to our democracy."
— Grant Shaw, supporter of The Discourse Nanaimo.
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On the Island
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🌊 The Comox Valley Farmer’s market is up for 10 awards. Read all about it in our report by our Comox Valley reporter Madeline Dunnett.
🌊 A community of Indigenous youth and elders came together to build a puppet for the Quw’utsun Sta’lo. They ended up healing so much more. Read the story by The Discourse’s Cowichan Valley reporter Eric Richards.
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In other news |
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👉 The City of Nanaimo voted to spend $1.8 million for a detailed design plan to replace its public works yard. Bill Sims, general manager of engineering and public works with the City of Nanaimo, spoke with CHLY’s Midcoast Morning about the latest developments on the project. The Nanaimo News Bulletin also has the story.
👉 A viral TikTok video is attracting the attention of thousands of Americans who are now planning to visit Nanaimo in April. Nanaimo digital marketer Tod Maffin made a video suggesting that Americans who are against U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to issue tariffs on Canadian goods visit Nanaimo to show support and provide an injection into the local economy. So far over 2,000 people have signed up to visit the harbour city. CHLY has the story.
👉 The City of Nanaimo will be updating its parking bylaws and people can have their say on proposed changes starting March 1 when a survey opens on the Get Involved Nanaimo website. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.
👉 The Nanaimo Sport Achievement Awards were held on Friday recognizing exceptional local athletes. A full list of award winners can be seen on the organization’s website.
👉 A new military patrol boat is in use in local waters. The Range Security Vehicle has a top-speed of 50 knots and will help keep boats away from the testing range north of the city when it is being used for military operations that test surface and subsurface ships and can include air-dropping of torpedoes. Nanaimo News Now has the story.
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Saturday, March 8, 2:30 p.m.: To celebrate International Women's Day, The Discourse and Cowichan IWD invite you to a community discussion at the Craig Street Brew Pub in Duncan.
The overarching question to speakers will be: How can we support and empower people with the right to choose and make informed decisions regarding childbirth? Tickets for Building a Circle of Care for Vancouver Island start at $20 and a portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the House of Honourable Mothers.
Panelists include Suthulwut, Audrey George, Deputy Chief of Cowichan Tribes, longtime leader and organizer of the Every Child Matters March and the mother of two.
Laura Interlandi, manager of Lelum ‘u tu S’tsa –ehl teyt-en, House of Honourable Mothers, a House of Friendship program and transition home with a mandate is to reduce child apprehensions locally by offering supports to mothers and kids.
Beverly Suderman, executive director of the Cowichan Women’s Health Collective, community planner and educator.
Dr. Emily Stuart, medical doctor with the Vancouver Island Women’s Clinic in Victoria, which offers a range of services related to reproductive health, including preventative care and access to contraception and abortion.
We are also offering free virtual access to this event. We hope to see you there!
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Thank you for reading,
— Mick and The Discourse team
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