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Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

Thinking about building a cob home in the Nanaimo area?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● December 9, 2025

FAQ about cob homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo.

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

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● December 2, 2025

At the Dec. 1 Nanaimo City Council meeting, a motion to send a letter to the province asking it to reexamine its approach to “the ongoing addiction crisis” was voted down.

Nanaimo city council members pose for a photo by the Loudon Park sign after a press conference announcing the expansion of the park on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025. From left to right: Councillors Paul Manly and Erin Hemmens, Mayor Leonard Krog, Councillors Ian Thorpe, Hilary Eastmure and Janice Perrino. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Council approves funding for new Loudon Park boathouse and community space

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● December 2, 2025

The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.

The VIU Mariners women's and men's basketball teams take on the Camosun College Chargers at the VIU Gym on Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday Nov. 29, 2025. File photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 3

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 28, 2025

These events listings are from The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture.

A proposed data centre in Nanaimo on Wellington Road could use up to 25 million litres of water a year once it is fully functional. Building renderings by dHKarchitects/Courtesy of the City of Nanaimo.

What’s the deal with the proposed data centre in Nanaimo?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 25, 2025

The Discourse found answers to frequently asked questions about a proposed data centre in Nanaimo.

Cropped version of the poster for the 27th Annual Nanaimo Artwalk event in Nanaimo.

Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 20, 2025

Music, arts and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025.

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

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 18, 2025

New motion will ask province to reexamine its policy on responding to the overdose crisis.

In Photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2025

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 12, 2025

Thousands gather in Nanaimo to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

Photo of the 2023 Remembrance Day service in Nanaimo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Remembrance Day 2025 events on Vancouver Island

By Mick Sweetman ● Vancouver Island ● November 10, 2025

Events, ceremonies and information on Remembrance Day 2025 in the Comox Valley, Nanaimo and Cowichan Valley

Events in Nanaimo for Nov. 6 to 13, 2025

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● November 5, 2025

Music, arts and community events listings in Nanaimo.

Mick Sweetman

Thinking about building a cob home in the Nanaimo area?

Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter

Council approves funding for new Loudon Park boathouse and community space

Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 3

What’s the deal with the proposed data centre in Nanaimo?

Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025

Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn

In Photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2025

Remembrance Day 2025 events on Vancouver Island

Events in Nanaimo for Nov. 6 to 13, 2025

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society name change to Ballenas ‘in discussion’ for years,’ says CEO

10 ways to better support tenants with vulnerabilities due to income, age or disabilities

‘I want it to stop’: Tenants and advocates allege bullying by non-profit housing provider

Q and A: What are vulnerable tenants rights in non-profit housing?

Who will protect low-income seniors from dying in extreme heat?

Seniors left in distress — or dead — for days in Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society units