A shoot out with a pirate, A train disaster, a chow mein that’s been passed down to generations that were forced to move away - these are just some of the stories you’ll find in A Place Called Cumberland.

The new book from the village’s museum and archives brings together twelve different tales from Cumberland’s past, that cover topics from labour organizing, to a first hand account of growing up in Chinatown, to the story behind the bike trails that play a big part in the community’s identity today.

Midcoast Morning speaks with some of the contributors to explore what the past has to say about the ethos of Cumberland.

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The federal government is one step closer to putting a temporary pause on GST, after a vote in the house of commons Thursday night.

Legislation to exempt a number of items from GST between December 14th and February 15th passed a vote in Ottawa, with support from the liberals and NDP.

Among the items included in the proposed exemption are children’s clothing, a number of food items and toys and video game consoles.

People in BC will not need to pay the 5 per cent federal GST on qualifying items during the two month period.

Speaking with Midcoast Morning, VIU professor of political studies and Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie called the measure “bad in every way.”

Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Lisa Marie Barron also spoke with Midcoast Morning about why she supported the measure.

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It’s a good time for productive outrage, says Nanaimo’s new poet laureate.

Neil Surkan is getting ready to start a two year term in the position on December 1, he spoke with CHLY reporter Lauryn Mackenzie.

And Jackie Wong’s new temporary public art project Lost Intersections will appear next spring, and bring attention to the sites of the city’s former Chinatowns . She spoke with Midcoast Morning host Joe Pugh.

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It’s the final day for a pop up overdose prevention site operating across the street from Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

Dr. Jess Wilder, a physician who works in addiction medicine at the hospital is a member of the group Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, who are calling for the government of B.C. to create sanctioned, fully staffed overdose prevention sites at B.C. Hospitals.

Wilder led the effort to create the unsanctioned, unfunded Nanaimo site, which was forced to relocate off of hospital grounds on Monday. 

There was also a pop up site set up outside Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, which was only planned to run until this past Wednesday.

Overdose prevention sites are locations where people can use substances under the supervision of staff that can monitor for drug poisoning and respond to an overdose if needed.

Midcoast Morning visited the site in Nanaimo to speak with the physician who set it up.

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Journalist and author Brandi Morin is in town to give a talk as part of VIU’s Indigenous speakers series.

A survivor of the missing and murdered Indigenous women crisis, her work has appeared in National Geographic, Al Jazeera English, The Guardian, and The New York Times.

In January, Morin was arrested while covering an encampment in Edmonton, and was charged with obstructing a police officer, a charge which was later dropped. She visited the CHLY studio to speak about that experience, and the message she’s hoping to share with people in Nanaimo.

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The Bicycle Film Festival is returning to Nanaimo this Saturday.

A collection of films related to cycling will play at Malaspina Theatre starting around 6:15.

Brendt Barbur decided to start the event back in 2001 after he was hit by a bus in New York City. He joined Midcoast Morning to share more on that story, as well as to talk cycling cinema more generally.

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A labour dispute that’s been impacting ports in Nanaimo and across the province is headed to binding arbitration

Federal labour minister Steven MacKinnon ordered the move Tuesday. Foremen at B.C.’s ports have been locked out since November 4th, that lockout came after the union had delivered a 72 hour strike notice for what it called limited job action, including an overtime ban and a refusal to implement tech change. 

Midcoast Morning spoke with port researcher Peter Hall for context on the dispute.

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Published at the end of the 1920s, All Quiet on the Western Front by Eric Maria Remarque tells the story of a young man named Paul who enlists in the German army in the first world war.

It’s newest translator spoke with Midcoast Morning about what the book has to say in 2024.

Plus, in close to 25 years, the Canadian Letters and Images Project has digitized around 35,000 letters from Canadians at war. Project director Stephen Davies speaks about what stands out.

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A pair of cemetery related items were on the council agenda this week in Nanaimo. When Kevin Hills wrote a term paper on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as part of a military history course, he learned that war graves in Nanaimo had been laid flat in the 1960s in a move to make maintenance easier. This week, his action led city council to amend its cemetary bylaw to allow that the graves be put upright at a future date. Hills spoke with Midcoast Morning about his efforts.

At the same time, the city updated its fee structure around cemeteries, which are nearing capacity. Acting Manager of cemeteries David Thompson provided more information about the state of cemeteries in the harbour city.

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Nanaimo is looking at how to make people more aware of doughnut economics, a framework council adopted back in 2020.

An update on the topic was on the agenda at a governance and priorities committee meeting Monday.

Doughnut economics is a way of visualizing the economy that takes into account society’s needs and our ecological capacity.

It was first presented in 2012 by British economist Kate Raworth, who later wrote a 2017 bestseller on the concept.

On the inside wall of the doughnut are society's needs - things like food, housing, income, health, and political voice.

Outside of the doughnut is our ecological ceiling, separated into nine categories like air pollution, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss.

If the economy is functioning as it should, we are in the doughnut - everyone’s needs are being met, but we aren’t blasting past our ecological ceiling.

Raworth contrasts that with what she describes as 20th century economic thinking, which she writes in the book has been fixated on growing GDP as the measure of progress.

Midcoast Morning explores what doughnut economics could mean in practice to Nanaimo

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Nanaimo is looking at how to make people more aware of doughnut economics, a framework council adopted back in 2020.

An update on the topic was on the agenda at a governance and priorities committee meeting Monday.

Doughnut economics is a way of visualizing the economy that takes into account society’s needs and our ecological capacity.

It was first presented in 2012 by British economist Kate Raworth, who later wrote a 2017 bestseller on the concept.

On the inside wall of the doughnut are society's needs - things like food, housing, income, health, and political voice.

Outside of the doughnut is our ecological ceiling, separated into nine categories like air pollution, ocean acidification, and biodiversity loss.

If the economy is functioning as it should, we are in the doughnut - everyone’s needs are being met, but we aren’t blasting past our ecological ceiling.

Raworth contrasts that with what she describes as 20th century economic thinking, which she writes in the book has been fixated on growing GDP as the measure of progress.

Midcoast Morning explores what doughnut economics could mean in practice to Nanaimo

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There’s less than a week to go in the city of Nanaimo’s third attempt at an alternative approval process to be able to borrow up to $90 million for upgrades to the city’s public works yard.

People opposed to the borrowing have until 4:30 PM on October 31st to submit a form in opposition.

Midcoast Morning speaks with a representative of a group opposed to the use of the AAP, as well as Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog.

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Nanaimo city council is considering increasing funding for restorative justice in the community in next year’s budget.

Restorative justice is an approach that seeks to repair the harm caused by crime and violence by addressing the needs of victims or affected parties, holding offenders or responsible parties meaningfully accountable for their actions, and by engaging the community in the justice process.

In Nanaimo there’s a restorative justice program run by the non-profit Connective, formerly known as the John Howard Society.

It has received $50 000 a year from the city for 20 years to help with the program, but as other funding sources have dried up following the pandemic, the organisation is seeking additional support.

At an October 16th Finance and Audit committee meeting, council decided that they’ll consider granting the organisation an additional $100 000 when it comes time to decide on next year’s budget.

Midcoast Morning speaks with the program’s manager to better understand what restorative justice looks like in the community.

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Why tallying the results on election day should be much faster this go around, and record numbers of advanced ballots cast in B.C.’s provincial election. Plus, getting the thoughts of community members on the campaign.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Lantzville Green Party candidate Lia Versavel and Nanaimo-Gabriola Island BC Conservative candidate Dale Parker.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Gabriola Island NDP candidate Sheila Malcolmson and Nanaimo-Lantzville NDP candidate George Anderson.

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Conversations with Nanaimo-Lantzville Conservative candidate Gwen O’Mahony and Nanaimo-Gabriola candidate Shirley Lambrecht.

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Healthcare was on the agenda for all three candidates in the new Nanaimo Lantzville riding this week.

George Anderson, Gwen O’Mahony, and Lia Versavel debated Wednesday at an all candidates forum at Wellington Secondary school.

Midcoast Morning shares some of the debate, and explores the region’s healthcare needs with Nanaimo Regional Hospital District Chair Ian Thorpe.

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Shnu’a’th, ᐊᑳᒥᕽ Akâmihk, The Other Side, is a new exhibition opening this weekend at the Nanaimo Art Gallery.

Running from Friday through to January 12th, the exhibition will consider relations with land, family, and ancestors through interventions in the medium of photography. Artists Eliot White-Hill and Michelle Sound speak with Midcoast Morning about their work.

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With BC’s election campaign in full swing, Midcoast Morning checks in with UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest, and VIU Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership Michael MacKenzie.

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