Applications to vote by mail can be obtained either in person from the Legislative Services Department at 455 Wallace Street, by email at elections@nanaimo.ca or by downloading the Application to Vote By Mail form from the City's website. Mail ballot packages will be mailed out or be available for pickup as soon as ballots are available in early October.

A mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer before the close of voting (8 p.m.) on General Voting Day (Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026) in order to be counted for the election. It is the responsibility of the elector to post the mail ballot in sufficient time for delivery to the Legislative Services Department at City Hall by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.

OR

Arrange for the mail ballot to be hand delivered to the Presiding Election Official at the City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre, Voting Place, 411 Dunsmuir Street, Nanaimo, BC between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

For more information on the 2026 Local General Election, visit www.nanaimo.ca/elections.

“We know people need a spectrum of housing options to support their recovery journey and stay in the communities they love. Recovery-oriented housing is a substance free surrounding that helps people who are recovering from substance use disorders stabilize in their recovery and build confidence to continue getting healthier."

“In communities that already have a range of low-barrier supportive housing, a recovery-oriented housing site can provide a valuable additional housing option. Our government, through BC Housing, currently funds and supports various housing operating models based on the needs of the community in Nanaimo."

“We have determined the new purpose-built housing coming to 250 Bryden Street (formerly known as 250 Terminal Avenue) in Nanaimo will operate as recovery-oriented housing. “In making this determination, we considered the existing range of low-barrier housing and shelter options available in Nanaimo, as well as the community’s need for recovery-oriented housing as part of a comprehensive housing continuum. By creating spaces for people who are ready to move into recovery-oriented housing, we are also helping to make other spaces available for people who need different kinds of support."

“This housing will support people in recovery from substance use, who have been at-risk of homelessness or experienced homelessness and need additional support to stay housed, and who want to reduce their exposure to drugs and alcohol. Residents may access health and recovery services in the community, with housing staff supporting connections to and coordination with these services."

“Our communities are stronger when we lift each other up, and these homes will build on the significant progress already made to support people experiencing homelessness in Nanaimo. I look forward to working with the City of Nanaimo to help deliver these homes and to continue our significant progress made to help vulnerable people in the community.”

The program offers up to $15,000 in interest-free loans to help Nanaimo homeowners access funding for retrofits such as heat pumps, insulation, windows/doors, and solar photovoltaic(PV) systems. Each homeowner’s loan amount will be paid off over ten years via an additional charge on their property tax bill. The program will be open to eligible Nanaimo homeowners with property taxes that are in good standing.

Residents intending to apply for a loan will need to register in the free Home Energy Navigator support program. Learn more on the City's website.

This intake period closes on Oct. 31, 2026, and priority will be given based on income and equity, energy savings and the climate/resiliency impact of the retrofit. For example, seniors (especially those living alone and of lower-income) will be given priority consideration.

Interested homeowners can join a free information session on Sept. 14 at 12:30 p.m. Please email sustainability@nanaimo.ca to register. For more information and to apply beginning Sept. 14, 2026, visit the Home Energy Retrofit Financing Program page.

Community feedback will help ensure the guide is practical, accessible and responsive to the needs of local seniors. Residents can complete the survey online or in paper format through community locations across Nanaimo. The survey is open until Oct. 1, 2026.

This project was made possible through funding from the BC Age-friendly Communities Grant Program. For more information on this project and to participate, visit www.GetInvolvedNanaimo.ca

Residents looking for a bargain or a unique buy, can join over 200 vendors selling used items from the trunk of their car in Vancouver Island University's lower parking lot off Fifth Street. This free-to-attend reuse event aims to promote reuse and recycling of unwanted “garage sale” type items and items made from recycled materials and to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

For more information on this and other similar events, visit the Reduce and Reuse Community Events page on www.nanaimo.ca.

For more information on the 2026 General Local Election, please visit www.nanaimo.ca/elections.

The improvements will replace aging infrastructure, support existing recreational users and create a more accessible, welcoming and inclusive destination for residents and visitors. The project budget is $11.4 million.

Inspired by community feedback, project improvements include:

• a bookable community gathering space with a kitchen
• an outdoor terrace
• modern, accessible public washrooms
• areas supporting flatwater paddling and rowing training activities
• equipment and boat storage

Additional park enhancements include:

• an expanded beach and improved landscaping
• a new playground
• improved trails and enhanced accessibility throughout the park
• outdoor seating and gathering areas, including picnicking and food truck areas
• improved access to Long Lake and waterfront recreation opportunities, including a new dock
• showers, cycling amenities and more

Design, contracting and some early site preparations are scheduled for 2026. This includes the removal of two Victoria Ave houses on the two adjacent properties the City purchased in 2025 to expand the park. One of the houses will be moved to a new site while the other home will be demolished. The majority of construction will take place in 2027-2028.

For more information on the project visit the Loudon Park Project page on the City website.

The new bleachers were formally opened by Mayor Leonard Krog and members of Nanaimo City Council during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 30, 2026. The event was also attended by MLA Sheila Malcolmson, MLA George Anderson, representatives from School District 68, local sport organizations and community partners.

The new bleachers are part of the continued evolution of the Stadium District which has grown through strategic partnerships, thoughtful planning and ongoing investment into community sport and recreation infrastructure. Today, the district serves athletes, families, volunteers, spectators and community organizations while supporting local, regional and provincial sporting events.

The new bleacher structure also includes a modern media booth which will support live streaming, broadcasting and enhanced event coverage.

The celebration marks 50 years since the stadium officially opened on July 31, 1976, and recognizes its enduring role as one of Nanaimo's premier sports venues and community gathering places. The ceremony will take place prior to the Nanaimo NightOwls' West Coast League game against the Port Angeles Lefties with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Since purchasing Serauxmen Stadium from Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools in 2017, the City of Nanaimo has invested more than $5 million into the facility and surrounding site to ensure it continues to serve athletes, fans and the broader community for generations to come. Investments have included new LED field lighting in 2020, a comprehensive field renovation in 2022 featuring new netting and padding, the creation of a stadium plaza for gathering and event making, a new ticket booth in 2024, a paved and lit parking lot in 2025/26, and other ongoing improvements to enhance the overall fan and player experience.

Future projects include a new washroom facility, expanded bleachers and accessibility improvements planned for 2026/27, as well as new bullpens anticipated in 2028.

The anniversary event will also recognize the many volunteers and community organizations whose dedication helped transform the former coal mine site into a celebrated baseball destination. Today, through continued investment, partnerships and community support, Serauxmen Stadium remains a cornerstone of Nanaimo's Stadium District and is home to the Nanaimo NightOwls. Many other local teams play here including the VIU Mariners, Mid-Island Pirates, College prep and the The Nanaimo Coal Miners.

Residents are encouraged to arrive early and be part of this historic community celebration.

The session will take place on Aug. 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. (in-person only) at the Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre (1155 Resort Drive, Parksville) in the Grand Strathcona Room. Attendance is drop-in and registration is not required.

Nomination packages will be available for those interested in running as a candidate in the 2026 General Local Election beginning Tuesday, Aug. 4. Packages can be picked up from the Legislative Services Office located on the first floor of City Hall (455 Wallace Street) or can be requested electronically by emailing elections@nanaimo.ca.

The nomination package contains important information for those interested in running in the election, including rules regarding election signage, required number of nominators, nomination deposits and other resources. There is no fee to pick up a nomination package; however, a $100 nomination document filing fee will be charged when filing nomination documents in accordance with the City’s General Election Bylaw.

To find more information on nominations including qualifications and deposit fees, visit www.nanaimo.ca/elections.

The updated bylaw regulates off-street parking and loading requirements, including the number of parking spaces required for various land uses, as well as the design standards for parking areas. It improves mobility choice, supports urban development consistent with City Plan, encourages sustainable transportation and aligns with provincial direction for transit-oriented development.

The bylaw covers requirements for vehicle parking, loading space, accessible and mobility scooter parking, bicycle parking and transportation demand management. Some key changes include:

• updated rates for vehicles, bicycles and design requirements
• introduction of active transportation end-of-trip facilities to scale with developments based on land use
• updated loading requirements to better address pick-up and drop-off activities
• separated visitor parking supply from general vehicle parking requirements to ensure adequate visitor parking is provided
• accessible parking decoupled from the number of vehicle parking spaces provided to ensure provision in urban centres where parking minimums are eliminated
• flexibility to substitute mobility scooter parking for long-term bicycle for specific uses
• 20 per cent increase in bicycle parking requirements in urban centres

For more information, read the Off-Street Parking Regulations Bylaw 2026 No. 7453 on the City website.

An Order in Council approving the boundary change was signed by the Lieutenant Governor on July 17, 2026. Updated Letters Patent have been issued for the City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo, formally reflecting the new municipal boundary.

The boundary change advances the City's commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and supports the direction outlined in City Plan, which encourages collaboration with SFN, the Province and the Regional District of Nanaimo to strengthen opportunities for Snuneymuxw members to participate in City elections. Earlier this year, Nanaimo electors approved the boundary change, as required under provincial legislation.

The updated boundary incorporates Snuneymuxw reserves IRs 1, 2, 3 and 4 within the City of Nanaimo. Previously, SFN members living on reserve voted for a Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Area Director and school trustees, not for Mayor and Council of Nanaimo. By including SFN reserve lands within municipal boundaries, eligible SFN members living on these lands will be able to vote in City of Nanaimo municipal elections, including the General Local Election taking place this fall.

Reuse Rendezvous gives residents an opportunity to give gently used household items a second life while helping reduce waste and support a more sustainable community. Participants are encouraged to place clean, reusable items at the curb in front of their homes, clearly marked with a "FREE" sign for neighbours and visitors to browse and take.

Popular giveaway items include books, toys, sporting equipment, household goods, small furniture, tools and garden items. Residents are encouraged to only set out items that are in good, usable condition.

To help ensure a safe and enjoyable event, please keep all items clear of sidewalks, bike lanes and roadways. Drivers are reminded to slow down, watch for pedestrians and cyclists, and obey all traffic regulations while visiting neighbourhoods throughout the weekend.

Any items that remain at the curb after the event should be removed by Monday, July 20 and managed through donation, recycling or disposal options as appropriate.

For more information, visit the Reduce and Reuse Community Events page on www.nanaimo.ca.

Since the program was established in 2014, the City of Nanaimo's Poet Laureates have included Naomi Beth Wakan (2014-2017), Tina Biello (2017-2020), Kamal Parmar (2021-2024) and current Poet Laureate Neil Surkan (2024-2026). Each has made meaningful contributions to Nanaimo's literary community by fostering creativity, encouraging dialogue and connecting people through poetry.

Nanaimo's next Poet Laureate will have a demonstrated history of engaging with the literary community and will bring their own artistic vision, experience and community connections to this civic role. Throughout the two-year term, the Poet Laureate will collaborate with City staff and community organizations to develop poetry initiatives, present original work and create opportunities for people of all ages to connect through the literary arts. Through public readings, workshops, civic events and other community initiatives, the Poet Laureate helps make poetry accessible and meaningful while celebrating Nanaimo's diverse voices, stories and sense of place.

Complete program guidelines, eligibility requirements and application information are available on the City's website.

Applications for the 2027-2029 Poet Laureate program must be submitted by Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time).

The Census is an important collection of information for the City and the community. It takes place every five years and provides vital data for business and economic development, health care and social services and community services.

Having an accurate population count ensures that Nanaimo gets its fair share of funding from the Federal and Provincial governments for various public services and programs. The City also uses information from the Census to plan for new community amenities, parks, recreation services, infrastructure and more.

The questionnaire can be completed online at Census.gc.ca or by calling 1-833-852-2026 or 1-833-830-3109 for TTY support.