Author

Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

War canoe races will be held at the point on Snuneymuxw First Nation’s Indian Reserve #1 from Friday, July 24 to Sunday, July 26.
Snuneymuxw Days shares culture with Nanaimo community

Health and wellness event features sport, traditional games and a feast.

A young child holds a picket sign during the nurses strike at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on July 13, 2026.
Why are nurses in Nanaimo on strike?

Hundreds of nurses and healthcare workers picket Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Anna McKenzie is calling for the City of Nanaimo to respond to loud motorcycles and cars racing along the road in front of Departure Bay Beach. She says the speeding and noises are disrupting her mother’s sleep and impacting her health.
‘Drag racing’ disrupting Departure Bay residents

Residents ask city council to do something about loud cars and motorcycles late at night.

Cumbia dancers from the Raíces Mestizas Collective perform at the Pulse on the Plaza: K'omoks Fusion Festival in downtown Courtenay on June 24, 2026. Photo courtesy of Greg Rosenke.
Pulse on the Plaza jumpstarts the heartbeat of Courtenay’s downtown

Fusion of cultures the ‘secret sauce’ of the festival series’ success, Comox Valley Arts director says.

Advocates say that Nanaimo needs more high-quality green spaces, such as these trees in Bowen Park, as well as increased canopy cover on residential streets that can help lower temperatures on hot days and make the city more resilient to climate change. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
What is the City of Nanaimo doing to preserve trees?

Urban forests are critical city infrastructure, not just ‘tree hugger stuff,’ say city staff.

Modern Biology’s Tarun Nayar will explore the sounds of nature in a musical performance and workshop that is free for kids as part of the Margins of Sound Festival in Nanaimo’s Bowen Park on Saturday, June 27. Photo by Hannah Paye courtesy of Margins of Sound.
Margins of Sound festival brings experimental music to Nanaimo

New festival includes free performances in Bowen Park and workshops.

Tenants union slams Nanaimo’s proposed tenant protection bylaw

Nanaimo tenant protection bylaw would include compensation but no discount on rent in new units

End of Thread is playing an end-of-school show featuring bands with musicians who are all under 19 as a benefit for The Globe Live Studio on Thursday, June 25.
Teenage musicians to play benefit for all-ages venue in Nanaimo

The Globe Live Studio is at risk of closing, but local band End of Thread is rallying behind it to help save the scene.

Addictions medicine doctor Roger Walmsley told Nanaimo city council that dry supportive housing should include space for opioid agonist therapy and that people who relapse should not be evicted from it.
Experts and community members speak out on need for dry housing in Nanaimo

Former Newcastle Place supportive housing resident says dry housing is needed for some people in recovery.

Lauren Semple, president of the Nanaimo Pride Society, says Nanaimo’s queer and trans community is getting bigger and taking up more space as it prepares for the largest Pride parade yet.
Q&A with Lauren Semple on Nanaimo Pride and local activism

Nanaimo Pride marks 10 years of parades and 30 years of Pride.