June 29, 2026

This Week...

Get ready for Canada Day celebrations, lifeguards are on duty at Westwood Lake and 2026 property taxes are due on July 2. Read on for more!

Stage 3 Watering Restrictions

Stage 3 watering restrictions are currently in effect. In this stage, lawn watering and washing vehicles, boats and the siding on your house are reduced to once per week.

  • Odd-numbered addresses: Monday
  • Even-numbered addresses: Thursday

Water only between 7–10 am OR 7–10 pm for a maximum of 2 hours.

You can also help conserve water by further reducing your watering and water usage:

  • Minimizing irrigation of landscapes, gardens and ornamental plants
  • Using water-efficient methods such as hand-watering or drip irrigation
  • Limiting vehicle washing and other non-essential outdoor water use
  • Fixing leaks and reducing indoor water use, where possible.

For more information on watering restrictions and water conservation tips, visit the watering restrictions page on the City website.

WATERING RESTRICTIONS

Canada Day Celebrations

Join us in Maffeo Sutton Park from 11 am to 3:30 pm this Canada Day for a free, family-friendly celebration! Enjoy live entertainment, a kids and family zone, cultural community stage and a food zone. Make sure to plan how you will get there ahead of time as there is no parking in Maffeo Sutton Park.

  • RIDE YOUR BIKE - a bike valet will be available through Hub City Cycles at Maffeo Sutton Park from 11 am to 3:30 pm. Ride your bike and drop it off for FREE in a secured location. You will be given a ticket when you check your bike in and then you can go about enjoying the event knowing your bike is safe.
  • PARKING DOWNTOWN - parking at Maffeo Sutton Park will not be available on Canada Day but there are many FREE Parking options near the park (limited accessible parking spots are available on site). You may loop into the park to drop off this year. This downtown parking map will help you.
  • TAKE A FREE SHUTTLE - to support event access, the City of Nanaimo is partnering with the Regional District of Nanaimo to provide free shuttle service from Woodgrove Centre, Country Club Mall and South Parkway Plaza.

For more information on Canada Day entertainment and activities and shuttle schedules, check out the Canada Day page on the City website.

CANADA DAY INFO

Canada Day Closures

All City facilities and recreation centres will be closed on July 1 in observance of Canada Day. While these services take a break for the holiday, lifeguards will still be on duty at Westwood Lake from 12:00 to 5:30 pm, weather permitting. Whether you're relaxing at home or heading to the lake, we wish you a safe, enjoyable, and festive Canada Day celebration!
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Property Taxes

Your 2026 property taxes are due this week on July 2. To pay, head down to the Service and Resource Centre located at 411 Dunsmuir Street to pay in person. We are open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Please note: we don't accept credit card payments and if you are paying with interac, please confirm your daily limit. You can also drop a cheque in the drop box located on the outside of the building anytime before July 2.

Make sure to apply for your Home Owner Grant online at www.gov.bc.ca/HomeOwnerGrant or by phone at 1-888-355-2700 by July 2, 2026!

Did you know? You can prepay for next year's taxes with the Pre-Authorized Withdrawals Plan (PAWS). With PAWS, payments are withdrawn from your bank account each month and the suggested amount it calculated using an estimate of next year's taxes. Starting these payment on July 15 will give you 12 months of prepayments before your 2027 property taxes are due! Find more information about Property taxes and the PAWS program on the City website.

PROPERTY TAX INFORMATION

Register to Vote

Did you know? The City of Nanaimo gets its voters list from Elections BC. Registering in advance of August 2026 will ensure your name appears on the City's voters list and save you time at the voting location. Visit the Elections BC website to register to vote. You can also register in person at a voting location or when requesting a mail ballot package. Please ensure you bring proper documentation if you plan to register at a voting location; visit nanaimo.ca/elections to learn what documentation is accepted.

VOTER INFORMATION

BC Ball Hockey Tournament

BC Ball Hockey will host two divisional provincial finals at the Nanaimo Ice Centre and Frank Crane Arena from July 3 to 5, 2026. The tournament will feature 16 teams, including 14 visiting teams with approximately 15 players each. Attendance numbers are still being determined. 

Lifeguards on Duty

Lifeguards are now on duty at Westwood Lake First Beach from 12:30 to 5:30 pm including statutory holidays (weather permitting) until September 7.

Please remember to follow any posted guidelines and stay within designated swimming areas.

Playground Program is Back!

The free Playground Program runs weekdays starting July 6 to September 4 from 9:30 am to 4 pm at Departure Bay Water Park. Staff will lead children, aged 5 to 12, in games, crafts and more. We also have a Roving Playground Program that will be at different parks throughout the whole summer. See our website for all the details.

Pottery Workshop Week

Our first ever Pottery Week: Pottery with Personality takes place from July 6 to 11 and will offer a variety of classes for those who want to explore the art of surface decoration in fun, expressive and inspiring ways. See page 51 of the Spring and Summer Activity Guide for details.

ACTIVITY GUIDE

FiresmartTM Summer

Are you ready for this year’s wildfire season? FireSmartTM BC is here to help you get started and make proven steps toward protecting your home and your community from wildfire. Please remember that beach fires are not allowed in the City of Nanaimo.

LEARN MORE
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Will Your Commute Be Affected This Week?

Here’s a list of up-to-date information on City construction projects. For more information on Nanaimo construction projects, visit the current Construction page on the City's website.

  • The intersection of Campbell Street and Machleary Street will be closed to vehicle traffic from 7 am on July 3 to 7 am on July 7. During this time, the streets approaching the intersection will be restricted to local traffic only. This temporary closure will support a community art project taking place at the intersection. 
  • Third St between Howard Ave and Pine St is closed 24 hrs per day until August 13. Detours are in place.
  • Single lane alternating traffic and, at times, eastbound lane closures on Jingle Pot Rd at the Holland Rd intersection. Eastbound traffic watch for possible detour using Holland Rd and Ashlee Rd.
  • Single lane alternating traffic on Departure Bay Rd between Doctors Rd and Strongitharm Ave. Expect delays.
  • Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd at Turner Rd and McGirr Rd intersection while crews work on building a new sidewalk and lay a new watermain.
  • Single lane alternating traffic along Hammond Bay Rd between Kenwill Dr and McGirr Rd to pave the westbound lane of Hammond Bay Rd. The existing traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.
  • Single lane alternating traffic along Turner Rd from Hammond Bay Rd to Kenning Pl while crews work on replacing the sidewalk. Traffic signals at Hammond Bay Rd and Turner Rd intersection will not be operational and will be manually controlled.

Note: All businesses in the construction areas are open unless otherwise posted. When approaching construction zones, please make sure to slow down and obey all signage and traffic personnel instructions. Remember that construction zone speed limits are 30 km/hr unless otherwise posted. If you know your commute is taking you through any of the areas below, please allow for additional time and plan ahead.

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
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Work With Us!

We are currently looking for candidates to fill the following positions:

  • Manager, Corporate Communications & Community Relations
  • Crime Analyst
  • Police Records Clerk (TFT)
  • Lifeguard/Instructor
  • Engineering Development Technician
  • Casuals, Police Services
  • Aquatic Supervisor
  • Urban Forester
  • Financial Analyst
  • Police Technical Support Specialist
  • Engineering Development Technician (TFT)
  • Lifeguard/Instructor (PPT)
  • Casual Pool - Custodian Relief
  • Community Safety Officers
  • Water Technician
  • Planner I
  • Casual Lifeguard/Instructors
  • Casual Clerical Opportunities

JOB POSTINGS
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A view from the Mayor's chair in the Shaw auditorium looking toward the audience

Meetings This Week

Thursday, July 2: Board of Variance Meeting in the SARC Boardroom starting at 4 pm.

MEETINGS

 

If you are not able to attend or tune in live, you can always review decisions made at each Council meeting simply by reading the Council Meeting Summaries. These summaries are typically posted the day after each meeting.

COUNCIL MEETING SUMMARIES
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City of Nanaimo news and events

Recap of City News

City of Nanaimo Unveils Temporary Public Art by Eliot White-Hill, Kwulasultun

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