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Eric Richards - Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Eric Richards - Local Journalism Initiative reporter's Latest Articles

Q&A: Palestinian chef brings traditional cooking and food history to Vancouver Island

By Eric Richards - Local Journalism Initiative reporter ● Comox Valley ● July 8, 2026

Izzeldin Bukhari speaks on the origin of falafel, Gaza’s rummaniyeh and why he sees food as a way to hold on to a culture under threat.

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Shipbreaking

Q&A: Lawyer speaks on groundbreaking Anti-SLAPP case against Union Bay shipbreaking company

Union Bay locals await next steps after controversial shipbreaking lease cancelled

Deep Water Recovery fined more than $46K in relation to effluent discharge into Baynes Sound

Deep Water Recovery executives say shipbreaking operations aren’t polluting Union Bay

Quw'utsun Stories

The story of S-hwu-hwa’us and Qul-lhanumutsun

Sta’lo’ Mustimuhw: A story of the river people

The story of Sheshuq’um, the monster at Octopus Point

The ancient story of Swuq’us

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Overdose Emergency

Hilary Nester, a social service worker student, burns a heart with a name of someone they were close to who died from the toxic drug crisis at a Grief Fire event at Vancouver Island University on April 14, 2026. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years

An incredulous Nanaimo City Councillor Hilary Eastmure responds to a comment from Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a debate on provincial drug policy during the Dec. 1, 2025 city council meeting. Screenshot courtesy of the City of Nanaimo.

Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter

Photo of Sarah Lovegrove standing outside the doors to the Vancouver Island Conference Centre where Nanaimo City Council meets wearing a Nanaimo Area Network of Drug users shirt,

Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn

Activists carry a mock coffin at the march for International Overdose Awareness Day in Nanaimo on Aug. 29, 2025. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

‘Like a bomb dropping’: Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability

Photo of a woman standing in front of a fence with metal hearts bearing the names of people who died from overdoses.

Drop in 2024 Nanaimo overdose deaths still ‘a fraction’ of overall trend upwards

Photo of a woman with pink hair and a pink sweatshirt and black ball cap.

Sudden changes to safer supply program a ‘huge mistake,’ says Nanaimo patient

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