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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

karen ward @kwardvancouver.bsky.social · 19h

fantastic and detailed piece by @micksweetman.bsky.social about the impacts and implications of the government's decision to make prescribed alternatives to the unregulated drug LESS accessible

#SafeSupply

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 1d

A local doctor says the province’s new safer supply rules are more about politics than public health.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/like...

Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability – The Discourse.

A local doctor says the province’s new safer supply rules are more about politics than public health.

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 6d

Members from Save Our Forests Comox Valley think the province should be doing more to protect old-growth forests and biodiversity, and they are not alone. Read the full story: thediscourse.ca/comox-valley...

Comox Valley group joins dozens of others in urging province to do more for biodiversity

Save Our Forests Comox Valley are not alone in thinking the province should be doing more to protect old-growth forests and biodiversity.

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · 7d

This Monday's Nanaimo city council meeting created a friendship city policy, renewed the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Area, expanded two dry recovery houses and defeated a motion to support a community health centre. Read more in Council Corner:
thediscourse.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...

Photo of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and city councillors standing in front of the sign at Loudon Park holding a placard that shows the properties the city purchased to add to the park.

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 7d

$2.2 million land purchase to expand Loudon Park was “fair market value,” Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/loud...

Loudon Park to expand with purchase of new properties – The Discourse.

City of Nanaimo spends $2.2 million to provide more options for future boathouse and activity centre, as well as increase park space.

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 11d

“They thought they were trying to civilize us, which is really ironic. They don't understand the cultural and traditional ways that we live and that we practice daily is our strength.”

Every Child Matters march attracts thousands in Duncan – The Discourse.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation remembers Indigenous children who were sent to Indian Residential “Schools” in Canada

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 15d

Today is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. See the events in your community and additional resources in our special newsletter for today.

thediscourse.indiegraf.com/index.php?ac...

Photo of a person wearing and orange shirt with the text “To honour the children who survived Indian Residential Schools and to remember the children who never made it home.”

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 19d

“I know that $6,000 more to travel to a conference in Ottawa does seem like a lot of money, and it’s a lot of money to me,” Coun. Hilary Eastmure told The Discourse. “…But I really consider these conferences to be a critical part of my job as a councillor.”

How much are Nanaimo councillors spending? – The Discourse.

Council expense report shows fewer councillors attending national conferences this year.

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 20d

“Nanaimo activists have been an inspiration to people across the country and across the world.”
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/pale...

Palestine solidarity in Nanaimo continues as UN commission declares genocide in Gaza

Nanaimo councillor sponsors emergency UBCM resolution calling on B.C. to take action against Israel and support Palestinian resettlement.

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 23d

Exciting news! The Discourse is a finalist for the 2025 Webster Awards in the Excellence in Community Reporting category for TWO different stories by reporters @juliechadwick.bsky.social and Rowan Flood. 🎉
Find links to the stories in this thread:

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · 23d

It was lovely to chat with Lenae Silva about her experience and upcoming art exhibition at @viuniversity.bsky.social organized by @viuhra.bsky.social.

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 23d

Nanaimo-based Sḵwx̱wú7mesh/Chilean artist Lenae Silva talks about her experiences as a person who uses drugs, and as an advocate, in her new exhibit at Vancouver Island University thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/qa-n...

Q&A: Nanaimo artist Lenae Silva on substance use, support and ‘bright endings’ – The Discourse.

Lenae Silva talks about her experiences as a person who uses drugs in her new exhibit at Vancouver Island University.

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · 28d

Thanks Cindy, it does look interesting. However, I cover arts and culture that is happening in Nanaimo so this is a bit out of my area.

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · 29d

Layoffs at VIU not being done “willy nilly,” says interim @viuniversity.bsky.social president Dennis Johnson in sit-down interview with @thediscourse.ca. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/qa-i...

Interim VIU president says he wants to ‘turn VIU around’ – The Discourse.

Dennis Johnson talks about leadership, international students and finances in a sit-down interview with The Discourse.

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Sep 7

Blue Sky Jo was a great film to see this afternoon. There are still tickets available for the 7 p.m. showing.

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Sep 7

Our Nanaimo and Comox Valley reporters @micksweetman.bsky.social and @emrichards.bsky.social are at the @nifss.bsky.social screenings this afternoon at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre. Come say hello and watch some international films.

Photo of two men wearing glassing behind a laptop with the home page of thediscource.ca open.

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 30

Critics say forestry practices must change as wildfire season intensifies

What are forestry companies doing to prevent wildfires? – The Discourse.

The Mount Underwood fire near Port Alberni burned over 35 square kilometers of forest and closed the primary road to Bamfield, part of it is private land

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 14

Deep Water Recovery, the company that has received local opposition for dismantling ships on a beach in Union Bay, has had its land lease cancelled by the province. Community members say this is a good first step, but argue for more robust regulations in Canada.

Union Bay locals await next steps after controversial shipbreaking lease cancelled

Deep Water Recovery, the company that has received local opposition for dismantling ships on a beach in Union Bay, has had its land lease cancelled by the province. Community members say this is a goo...

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Aug 13

Parksville to Ladysmith is forecast to get some heavy smoke from the Mount Underwood wildfire tonight. Screenshot of the forecast for 9 p.m from firesmoke.ca/forecasts/cu...

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 13

Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging in the Nanaimo Fringe Festival.

Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists – The Discourse.

Percolate and Theoxenia explore issues around gender, relationships and belonging in the Nanaimo Fringe Festival

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 8

Meet Robyn Radcliffe, director of The Raptors, and Kessy the kestral! This week, our reporter Eric headed out to The Raptors in North Cowichan to learn more about what pressures birds of prey are facing in the Cowichan Valley.

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 7

How Makerspace Nanaimo grew from a small group with hand tools to a fully stocked shop with almost 100 members.

Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’ – The Discourse.

Community workshop a space where people can learn from one another

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Aug 6

This evening at 6 p.m. TRUTH will play a free concert in the Bowen Park Amphitheatre as part of the @nanaimo.ca's free Concerts in the Park series. Read our Q&A with MJ McGregor about how they use music to “talk back” to the environment in which they were raised.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/qa-m...

Q&A: MJ McGregor speaks their TRUTH – The Discourse.

Raised in a secretive religion, local artist MJ McGregor uses music to find and form a new identity, they explain in this Q&A.

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Jul 31

Thank you April, I would definitely encourage you to go next year, I had a great time.

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Jul 30

I had an awesome time in Snuneymuxw this past weekend. Check out my story and photos from Snuneymuxw Days below.

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Jul 30

It was a sunny weekend on the waterfront in front of Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Reserve #1 as hundreds of people from as far as Hope, B.C. gathered to participate in war canoe races, enjoy comfort food such as Indian tacos, and soak up the good vibes.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...

Snuneymuxw Days 2025 in photos – The Discourse.

Third annual Snuneymuxw Days featured canoe races, a longhouse jam and basketball and brought the community together

thediscourse.ca

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Reposted by Mick Sweetman

thediscourse.ca @thediscourse.ca · Jul 25

Nanaimo’s ‘bike lane Barbie’ says the city is working to make cycling more accessible for everyone.

thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/how-...

Addressing Nanaimo's patchwork of bike lanes – The Discourse.

Nanaimo’s ‘bike lane Barbie’ says the city is working to make cycling more accessible for everyone.

thediscourse.ca

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Jul 24

According to the 2024 point in time count for Nanaimo it did.

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Mick Sweetman @micksweetman.bsky.social · Jul 23

Not writing a story on this, but both the violent and non-violent crime severity index for Nanaimo dropped in 2024. Here's an updated chart of it that shows the trends over time. datawrapper.dwcdn.net/kL0me/3/

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