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Mick Sweetman

Mick's Latest Articles

A child wearing an orange shirt participates in the Every Child Matter march in Duncan on Sept. 30, 2025.

Every Child Matters march attracts thousands wearing orange on Quw’utsun lands

By Mick Sweetman ● Cowichan Valley ● October 2, 2025

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

A woman wearing a headscarf and keffiyeh stands in front of the Palestine flag.

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

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● September 25, 2025

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

Nanaimo Coun. Hillary Eastmure is pictured in Ottawa with the Parliament buildings in the background during her trip to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in May where she met with Members of Parliament about issues the city is facing. Photo courtesy of Hilary Eastmure / Facebook.

How much are Nanaimo councillors spending?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● September 25, 2025

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

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

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● September 18, 2025

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

Q&A: Interim VIU president says he wants to ‘turn VIU around’

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● September 16, 2025

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

What are forestry companies doing to prevent wildfires?

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● August 28, 2025

Critics say forestry practices must change as wildfire season intensifies

Mike Parker, chairperson of the Chase River Community Association, says there has been no complaints about the new supportive housing locations in his neighbourhood since they opened in mid-July.

Where supportive housing in Nanaimo is located and why

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● August 21, 2025

How two neighbourhood associations are welcoming supportive housing residents.

Karen Kuwica (left) and Fred MacDonald from the Newcastle Community Association want the proposed supportive housing building at 250 Terminal Ave. to be a “dry” building, something that is supported by the City of Nanaimo but has been rejected by the Minister of Housing. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.

Nanaimo council ask for ‘dry’ supportive housing dismissed by province

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● August 14, 2025

Community association and city council request permanent supportive housing on Terminal Avenue require abstinence.

Two women in a cafe stand and look at one another cautiously.

Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● August 12, 2025

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

Members of Makerspace Nanaimo receive training on a new, safe table saw that automatically shuts down if it senses a finger too close to the blade.

Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’

By Mick Sweetman ● Nanaimo ● August 7, 2025

Community workshop a space where people can learn from one another

Mick Sweetman

Every Child Matters march attracts thousands wearing orange on Quw’utsun lands

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

How much are Nanaimo councillors spending?

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

Q&A: Interim VIU president says he wants to ‘turn VIU around’

What are forestry companies doing to prevent wildfires?

Where supportive housing in Nanaimo is located and why

Nanaimo council ask for ‘dry’ supportive housing dismissed by province

Nanaimo Fringe Festival highlights trans and non-binary artists

Makerspace Nanaimo is ‘more than a toolshop’

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