Nanaimo

The Discourse Nanaimo provides independent local news, powered by the community. Reporter Mick Sweetman and The Discourse team deliver in-depth stories on issues you care about. Subscribe to our weekly newsletters to stay in the loop.

Musicians perform with guitars and an upright bass on a stage with the Nanaimo Jazz Festival logo on the backdrop

Nanaimo Jazz Festival celebrates 10 years with more than a dozen shows in September

Local and international artists to perform on multiple stages in the city at this year’s Nanaimo Jazz Festival.

Latest in Nanaimo
Snuneymuxw Elder C’tasi:a shares traditional plant knowledge in new book

‘Plant Teachings from my Auntie’ by Snuneymuxw Elder C’tasi:a and ethnobotanist Nancy Turner delves into traditional plants and plant medicine.

How is The Discourse’s journalism funded?

And what does it cost to produce The Discourse's in-depth, independent journalism?

A crowd of Nanaimo Blues Festival goers stands in front of a stage at Maffeo Sutton Park
Nanaimo Blues Festival brings international headliners and local talent to Maffeo Sutton Park

‘Blues is for everyone,’ says Nanaimo Blues Society president

What to do and where to go during extreme heat events in Nanaimo, the Comox Valley and the Cowichan Valley

A guide to prepare for extreme heat events on Vancouver Island

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.

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.