Mick Sweetman
@micksweetman.bsky.social
Reporter and photographer for @thediscourse.ca in Nanaimo, British Columbia / Snuneymuxw Treaty territory. mick@thediscourse.ca
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
“Enough is enough.”
Family and leaders are demanding answers from Island Health after the death of Lenny Sylvester, a Penelakut man whose care they say reflects systemic racism.
Read more:
Family and leaders are demanding answers from Island Health after the death of Lenny Sylvester, a Penelakut man whose care they say reflects systemic racism.
Read more:
‘Enough is enough’: Penelakut family calls on Island Health to address systemic racism after Lenny Sylvester’s death – The Discourse.
Community leaders say Lenny Sylvester’s death shows systemic racism within Island Health and are demanding accountability and transparency.
thediscourse.ca
December 12, 2025 at 1:30 AM
“Enough is enough.”
Family and leaders are demanding answers from Island Health after the death of Lenny Sylvester, a Penelakut man whose care they say reflects systemic racism.
Read more:
Family and leaders are demanding answers from Island Health after the death of Lenny Sylvester, a Penelakut man whose care they say reflects systemic racism.
Read more:
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Thinking about building a cob home in the Regional District of Nanaimo? We have put together this FAQ after talking with both owner / builders on Vancouver Island and district staff.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/thin...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/thin...
Thinking about building a cob home in the Nanaimo area? – The Discourse.
FAQ about cob homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo.
thediscourse.ca
December 11, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Thinking about building a cob home in the Regional District of Nanaimo? We have put together this FAQ after talking with both owner / builders on Vancouver Island and district staff.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/thin...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/thin...
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
“If you want everything as per staff reports, we wouldn't have councils. You'd have bureaucracy running the councils,” Coun. Tek Manhas told a packed public hearing as North Cowichan voted to amend its official community plan on Nov. 19.
North Cowichan Council amends Official Community Plan – The Discourse.
A council decision to amend the Official Community Plan could set back housing developments and cost future tax payers, municipal staff say.
thediscourse.ca
December 5, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“If you want everything as per staff reports, we wouldn't have councils. You'd have bureaucracy running the councils,” Coun. Tek Manhas told a packed public hearing as North Cowichan voted to amend its official community plan on Nov. 19.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
“The proposed site layout diagram solves a lot of problems by saving the mature trees, playground and beach areas in a cohesive way that allows for easy public access and maximum use,” Lana Fitzpatrick from the Wellington Action Committee told councillors.
Loudon Park boathouse approved for $10.2 million – The Discourse.
The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.
thediscourse.ca
December 7, 2025 at 12:28 AM
“The proposed site layout diagram solves a lot of problems by saving the mature trees, playground and beach areas in a cohesive way that allows for easy public access and maximum use,” Lana Fitzpatrick from the Wellington Action Committee told councillors.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
“This motion is not about reexamining philosophy, it’s about how many funerals we are prepared to accept.”
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
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.
thediscourse.ca
December 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
“This motion is not about reexamining philosophy, it’s about how many funerals we are prepared to accept.”
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
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.
thediscourse.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:21 AM
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Grateful to have @thediscourse.ca / @micksweetman.bsky.social and the rest of the folks at The Discourse reporting in communities like Nanaimo, Cowichan, and Comox. Their journalism is vital. Support it if you can!
"It does save lives, but saving those lives for what purpose?" asked Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog during a city council debate about overdose prevention sites and the province's approach to harm reduction in the toxic drug crisis on Monday night.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
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.
thediscourse.ca
December 4, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Grateful to have @thediscourse.ca / @micksweetman.bsky.social and the rest of the folks at The Discourse reporting in communities like Nanaimo, Cowichan, and Comox. Their journalism is vital. Support it if you can!
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Nanaimo city council voted to allocate $10.2 million for a new boathouse and community space at Loudon Park on Long Lake at a special finance and audit committee meeting on Friday.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/coun...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/coun...
Loudon Park boathouse approved for $10.2 million – The Discourse.
The development will see a building on newly-acquired land, preserving a grove of mature trees.
thediscourse.ca
December 3, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Nanaimo city council voted to allocate $10.2 million for a new boathouse and community space at Loudon Park on Long Lake at a special finance and audit committee meeting on Friday.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/coun...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/coun...
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
“Politicized arguments like this motion driven by nimbyism and colonial privilege, undermine science, threaten public health and jeopardize the health and safety of our entire community," Sarah Lovegrove, vice-president of the Harm Reduction Nurses association told Nanaimo city council on Monday.
Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter – The Discourse.
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.
thediscourse.ca
December 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
“Politicized arguments like this motion driven by nimbyism and colonial privilege, undermine science, threaten public health and jeopardize the health and safety of our entire community," Sarah Lovegrove, vice-president of the Harm Reduction Nurses association told Nanaimo city council on Monday.
Ah, the peaceful sound of nature.
November 28, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Ah, the peaceful sound of nature.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Looking for something fun to do in Nanaimo this weekend? From holiday markets to live music, arts and sports, reporter @micksweetman.bsky.social has curated a list of what's happening.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 28 to Dec. 3 – The Discourse.
These events listings are from The Hub Nanaimo, your weekly insider guide to the best of community arts and culture. Subscribe to this newsletter to see
thediscourse.ca
November 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Looking for something fun to do in Nanaimo this weekend? From holiday markets to live music, arts and sports, reporter @micksweetman.bsky.social has curated a list of what's happening.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed that officers responded to reports of a plane crash in a wooded area near Twilight Way, south of Nanaimo, B.C., at approximately 3 a.m. this morning. RCMP say the plane was found "in a large debris field and there were no survivors." The investigation is ongoing.
November 27, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed that officers responded to reports of a plane crash in a wooded area near Twilight Way, south of Nanaimo, B.C., at approximately 3 a.m. this morning. RCMP say the plane was found "in a large debris field and there were no survivors." The investigation is ongoing.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Everything you want to know about the Nanaimo data centre, and how much water it will use, explained. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/what...
What’s the deal with the proposed data centre in Nanaimo? – The Discourse.
The Discourse found answers to frequently asked questions about a proposed data centre in Nanaimo.
thediscourse.ca
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Everything you want to know about the Nanaimo data centre, and how much water it will use, explained. thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/what...
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Check out Nanaimo Artwalk and all of our weekly music, art and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025. Let us know if any events you think we should include for next week!
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Events in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025 – The Discourse.
Music, arts and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025.
thediscourse.ca
November 21, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Check out Nanaimo Artwalk and all of our weekly music, art and community events listings in Nanaimo for the week of Nov. 20 to 27, 2025. Let us know if any events you think we should include for next week!
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/even...
Sometimes stories don't go as planned, motions get withdrawn and changed, but showing up to cover council in person allows me to talk with both councillors and community members about the issues that matter to them beyond the constraints of the formal meeting. Here is my latest story.
A motion by Nanaimo Coun. Ian Thorpe to ask Island Health to close the Overdose Prevention Site on Albert Street was withdrawn at last night's city council meeting. But a new motion to send a letter to the province to reexamine its drug policy is hotly contested.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn – The Discourse.
New motion will ask province to reexamine its policy on responding to the overdose crisis.
thediscourse.ca
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Sometimes stories don't go as planned, motions get withdrawn and changed, but showing up to cover council in person allows me to talk with both councillors and community members about the issues that matter to them beyond the constraints of the formal meeting. Here is my latest story.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
The province should re-examine its drug policy
but rather than as the councillor implies, our drug policy should aim to build a better future for all
@micksweetman.bsky.social
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
but rather than as the councillor implies, our drug policy should aim to build a better future for all
@micksweetman.bsky.social
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
November 19, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The province should re-examine its drug policy
but rather than as the councillor implies, our drug policy should aim to build a better future for all
@micksweetman.bsky.social
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
but rather than as the councillor implies, our drug policy should aim to build a better future for all
@micksweetman.bsky.social
bchumanrights.ca/resources/pu...
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Nanaimo is among the most important battlegrounds for harm reduction in BC, with influential players having spent years attempting to pin the city’s ills on supervised consumption.
When Aaron Gunn ran his ‘Vancouver is Dying’ homeless hate tour, those same folks welcomed him with an open theatre.
When Aaron Gunn ran his ‘Vancouver is Dying’ homeless hate tour, those same folks welcomed him with an open theatre.
A motion by Nanaimo Coun. Ian Thorpe to ask Island Health to close the Overdose Prevention Site on Albert Street was withdrawn at last night's city council meeting. But a new motion to send a letter to the province to reexamine its drug policy is hotly contested.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn – The Discourse.
New motion will ask province to reexamine its policy on responding to the overdose crisis.
thediscourse.ca
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Nanaimo is among the most important battlegrounds for harm reduction in BC, with influential players having spent years attempting to pin the city’s ills on supervised consumption.
When Aaron Gunn ran his ‘Vancouver is Dying’ homeless hate tour, those same folks welcomed him with an open theatre.
When Aaron Gunn ran his ‘Vancouver is Dying’ homeless hate tour, those same folks welcomed him with an open theatre.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
A motion by Nanaimo Coun. Ian Thorpe to ask Island Health to close the Overdose Prevention Site on Albert Street was withdrawn at last night's city council meeting. But a new motion to send a letter to the province to reexamine its drug policy is hotly contested.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn – The Discourse.
New motion will ask province to reexamine its policy on responding to the overdose crisis.
thediscourse.ca
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
A motion by Nanaimo Coun. Ian Thorpe to ask Island Health to close the Overdose Prevention Site on Albert Street was withdrawn at last night's city council meeting. But a new motion to send a letter to the province to reexamine its drug policy is hotly contested.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/moti...
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
After the Remembrance Day Service people in attendance were welcomed to leave a poppy on the cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
After the Remembrance Day Service people in attendance were welcomed to leave a poppy on the cenotaph in downtown Nanaimo. Photo by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Scouts attended the Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service and an CP-140 Aurora did a flyover. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Scouts attended the Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service and an CP-140 Aurora did a flyover. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Veterans and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog lay wreaths and salute the fallen at Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11, 2025. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Veterans and Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog lay wreaths and salute the fallen at Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11, 2025. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) at Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11, 2025. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's) at Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service on Nov. 11, 2025. Photos by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
Photos from Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
November 13, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Photos from Nanaimo's Remembrance Day Service by Mick Sweetman / The Discourse.
Check out my photos from the 2025 Remembrance Day Service in Nanaimo at the below link.
See the photos from Nanaimo’s 2025 Remembrance Day Service.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...
In Photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2025 – The Discourse.
Thousands gather in Nanaimo to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
thediscourse.ca
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Check out my photos from the 2025 Remembrance Day Service in Nanaimo at the below link.
Reposted by Mick Sweetman
See the photos from Nanaimo’s 2025 Remembrance Day Service.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...
In Photos: Nanaimo Remembrance Day 2025 – The Discourse.
Thousands gather in Nanaimo to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
thediscourse.ca
November 12, 2025 at 11:32 PM
See the photos from Nanaimo’s 2025 Remembrance Day Service.
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...
thediscourse.ca/nanaimo/in-p...