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You may have noticed some haze on the horizon this week as wildfire smoke crept into the Nanaimo area. As I type this newsletter, the air quality health index for Nanaimo is forecast to be 3/10 or “low risk” for tonight and tomorrow, which is still considered ideal for outdoor activities.
If you plan on traveling outside of Vancouver Island, you are likely to run into air quality that ranges from moderate risk in Metro Vancouver to high risk along the Sea to Sky Highway, including Whistler and Squamish. Both are forecast to hit the maximum of 10 for poor air quality tomorrow.
To learn more about how air quality is measured and where data comes from, read this 2020 story from Island Editor Shalu Mehta.
Today, the BC Greens called on the NDP to adopt a Clear Air Act that would set standards and response protocols for indoor air quality in spaces like schools, post-secondary institutions, healthcare and long-term care facilities. It would also establish workplace regulations for outdoor air quality.
“British Columbians should not be left to fend for themselves in smoke-filled summers,” said interim BC Greens leader Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver–Sea to Sky in press release.
Keep your eyes on the smoke forecast and be safe out there.
Thank you for reading, Mick Sweetman
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| What does a 10+ air quality rating mean anyway?
| The Discourse asked a meteorologist about smoke forecasts, air quality and data.
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| Read the full story
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| | A MESSAGE FROM THE NANAIMO INTERNATIONAL FILM SCREENING SOCIETY |
| Nanaimo International Film Screening Society (NIFSS) returns for its second season on September 7 with two popular independent films
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Each month we gather downtown in the Shaw Auditorium at 80 Commercial Street to enjoy quality independent films produced outside the US major film studios.
Our 2025 fall season film lineup includes 4 feature films and 2 matinee films. Season tickets and all individual film tickets are available on our website or at the door.
In a world where political boundaries are being defended and breached with increasing violence, we can look to international cinema to showcase diversity and strengthen cross-cultural relationships.
Find out more and join us! To add your name to our contact list, email info@nifss.ca.
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| Learn More
| | Council corner
| The next regular city council meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre’s Shaw Auditorium.
On the council agenda is:
A report on a 60-year lease of city-owned land at 354 Haliburton St. for the “construction of an outdoor amenity space and two off-site parking stalls to complement their development of a supportive housing project at 355 Nicol Street.” A report on a “covenant amendment and development permit to facilitate a supportive housing development at 355 Nicol Street.” A report on an application for a temporary use permit to allow an office and social service resource centre at 364 Haliburton St. Development permit applications for a mini-storage development at 1044 Old Victoria Rd. and a reduction of parking spaces needed for multi-family residential development at 529 Terminal Ave. North. A motion to approve changes to the Officer Designation and Delegation of Authority bylaw, which regulates city officials. The endorsement of Council Policy (COU-246) - Consideration of Variances Policy, which establishes evaluation criteria when reviewing development permit and variance permit applications. Council will also discuss a letter from the South End Community Association requesting that the city close the Hub drop-in centre. |
| On the Island
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🌊 From Mill Bay to North Cowichan, readers have shared locations of little free libraries to help neighbours discover and share books. Cowichan Valley reporter Eric Richards has all the details.
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| In other news |
👉 People who use drugs, harm reduction workers and family members who have lost someone to the ongoing toxic drug crisis marched from City Hall to St. Andrews Anglican Church on Friday to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. CHLY 101.7FM has the story.
👉 Lawyers representing Hudson's Bay and commercial landlords, such as Cadillac Fairview, Oxford Properties and Ivanhoé Cambridge, were in court arguing if the owner of the Woodgrove Centre in Nanaimo has enough money to open a new chain of retail stores. The commercial landlords argue that Ruby Lui does not have “anywhere close” to the $400 million that she has said would be used to operate a new chain in 25 former Hudson’s Bay locations. CBC News has the story
👉 A report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses ranked the Regional District of Nanaimo’s spending as the best in the province, taking into account inflation, property taxes and services. Nanaimo News Now has the story.
👉 Habitat for Humanity's Nanaimo ReStore is expanding to make it easier for builders to donate excess construction materials that can be reused by homeowners. A new building material exchange in partnership with Light House will include a weekly pick-up service to bring building materials from construction sites to the store on Mostar Road. The Nanaimo News Bulletin has the story.
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| Community photo |
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A mother who lost her son to a toxic drug overdose marches in downtown Nanaimo during International Overdose Awareness Day on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
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