A new Royal Canadia Mint silver coin features the artwork of a Vancouver Island-based artist.

The coins, a part of the This is Canada collection, depict various species that can be found across the country. This year’s theme is Wondrous Waters and one of the collectable coins features a pod of orcas.

Created by artist Glen Green, the orcas are travelling in the water near a rocky island. Mint adds in the background that large forests and mountains line the shore.

As a Campbell River resident, Green says he jumped at the opportunity to make an orca picture as it is an icon of the area.

“I live on Vancouver Island and occasionally get to see pods of killer whales on my travels,” said Green. “The background of this design, with the rocky islands and the heavily forested mountains cascading down to the rugged shoreline is typical of the West Coast.

“To many who witness these whales patrolling the coast, especially with a calf in tow, it is one of the most spectacular experiences one can have in their lifetime.”

The coins are the first in a four-part series from Mint, made on 99.99 per cent silver coins.

For more information, you can click here.

Green is well known for his paintings of NHL athletes and has done other coin designs for Mint including for the 2010 Olympics.

"For an artist, this is what you call a great gig," said Green. "Once you do one coin and they like it, it seems like you're on their list. The challenge of these coins is really fun."

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Jobs are hard to find, but the Port of Nanaimo is looking to bring employers to those seeking employment to their fifth annual career fair. 

The fair is expected to showcase up to 25 employers who were chosen for those interested in networking in the marine industry and following industry trends and educational pathways. 

Port of Nanaimo’s CEO Ian Marr says the event is a dynamic platform for both job seekers and their partners in the marine industry to build connections and grow the local economy.  

“This event not only supports our commitment to fostering economic growth and job creation but also highlights the diverse career opportunities in the marine sector,” Marr says.  

The event is scheduled to run on Wednesday at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and is free for anyone who attends. 

For a complete list of companies in attendance visit the Port of Nanaimo’s website. 

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Be on the lookout for some snow this morning (Jan. 8), Environment Canada says that Eastern Vancouver Island could see up to 4 cm of snow at sea level.

The alert covers Campbell River all the way south to Duncan.

At higher elevations, accumulation could be heavy, closer to 10 cm, and at sea level, you can expect a mix of wet snow and rain. 

They warn that a rapid accumulation of snow can make travelling difficult and encourage drivers to check Drive BC before heading out on the road. 

The snowfall is expected to transition to rain later this evening with the return of warmer temperatures. 

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New legislation aims to better prepare communities for emergencies and disasters in BC.

The Emergency and Disaster Management Act will focus on disaster risk reduction and enhancing emergency preparedness. The province says it will replace the Emergency Program Act.

Acting minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness George Heyman says a revised act is needed as summers get hotter in BC.

“Winters are getting more unpredictable, and flooding is becoming more severe,” he said. “The new Emergency and Disaster Management Act places a greater emphasis on mitigating the impacts of emergencies before they happen.”

Along with implementing climate-informed risk assessments, the act will also have municipalities and districts cooperate with Indigenous governing bodies, in the hopes of using Indigenous knowledge for future management practices.

The province adds they are working on a task force for emergencies, with plans to provide action-oriented recommendations before the wildfire season next year.

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The Tour De Rock gets underway this weekend in Port Alice and it’s all for a good cause. 

The ride takes place over 14 days and will make stops in Port Hardy, Campbell River and Courtenay in the first week and then the riders will cover Ucluelet to Victoria in week two. 

In total riders will put just about 1200 kilometres onto their bikes by the time they wrap up in the South Island. 

It’s all put on by Cops for Cancer to raise money for pediatric cancer research and as of right now, the ride has raised over $460,000. 

The riders come from a variety of backgrounds from cops to paramedics to firefighters and each has an individual fundraising goal. 

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Would a major investment in the Duke Point terminal pay big dividends for the people of Vancouver Island?

That's the question the Nanaimo Port Authority is hoping to answer as they look for someone to conduct a study around the issue.

They say that Duke Point has an impactful role to play in improving supply chain efficiency and resiliency to the south coast gateway in BC.

The Port Authority is hoping to explore the level of impact that a major investment in the terminal would have on the supply chain and if it could be a cost competitive and sustainable channel in the marketplace.

Anyone qualified to conduct the study can bid on the BC Bid website until October 10th.

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The Vancouver Canucks and captain Bo Horvat delivered on a promise to a young Nanaimoer earlier this week.

Linden Staite and his family travelled to Edmonton for a Canucks game just before Christmas and where he was given a stick from Horvat during warmups.

However, on their return flight, the stick was lost in the chaos at the airport.

After a social media exchange, former Canuck Kirk McLean, their mascot Fin, and the Canucks PR team made their way to Nanaimo to present a newly signed stick to Staite.

Linden lost his @BoHorvat stick on a flight home from Edmonton.

When Bo heard his story, he made sure a new stick found its way to him. pic.twitter.com/9sLJaDTefm

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) January 11, 2023

Along with the stick, they gave him a signed jersey, and poster from the Canucks' Captain - all of which made the day for the young Vancouver Islander.

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BC Hydro customers will likely see lower power bills this year, as the power company is reducing its rates by an average of 1.4 per cent.

According to officials with the power company, the decrease will take effect on Friday (Apr. 1), following interim approval by the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC).

The rate decrease is the first part of a three-year plan that would mark a period of the lowest rate increases in the province in the past 15 years. That said, it would need the green light from the BCUC.

According to staff with the power company, this will result in savings of an average of $23 per year.

BC Hydro officials said they anticipate a 1.4 per cent decrease this year, followed by a two per cent increase next April and a 2.7 per cent increase in 2024.

“In the BC Hydro Review, we identified several recommendations to ensure British Columbians have access to tools to help keep their bills low, and we’re actively implementing those recommendations,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation.

An interim approval has been given by the BCUC for the rate change this year, with a decision expected in the coming months.

“We have the third-lowest rates on the continent and are committed to keeping rates affordable as we move forward in encouraging British Columbians to switch to clean hydroelectricity from fossil fuels to reduce carbon emissions in our province,” said Chris O’Riley, President and CEO, BC Hydro.

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Some big rigs in downtown Ottawa are moving out voluntarily this afternoon as police continue to push into the epicentre of the Freedom Convoy protest.

Meanwhile, Ottawa Police say they have arrested more than 70 people and have towed at least 21 vehicles.

Some protesters are kneeling on the ground and are hugging each other yelling “Freedom.”

Ottawa Police tweeted earlier Friday that some protesters have put children between the line of officers and the protest site.  According to the police, those children will be taken to a safe place.  But Interim Chief Steve Bell says so far, they have had no reason to engage Children’s Aid to remove children from the crowd, "We implore all parents with kids there, get your kids out of there.”

As well another self-proclaimed leader of the Freedom Convoy has been arrested.

A Facebook Live video on his personal page shows Pat King being arrested on four charges including mischief, counselling to obstruct a police officer, and counselling to disobey a court order.

Earlier in the protest, the organizers of the convoy disavowed King saying he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the group.

Unconfirmed reports suggest another organizer Daniel Bulford has turned himself into police.

On Thursday night, two organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber were arrested and are awaiting a bail hearing Friday. Another main organizer B.J. Dichter has not yet been detained.

Meanwhile, remaining organizers of the Freedom Convoy are calling on protesters to take a stand. In a press conference streamed on the convoy’s Facebook page, Friday afternoon Tom Reisler, a retired Canadian Military Officer told demonstrators to still come to Ottawa.  He said, “you will win if you come and show your support.”

He also said that many intersections are blocked but there are still ways into the city’s core.  Almost simultaneously, another organizer was telling protestors it's time to leave.

In a tweet, co-organizer BJ Dichter asks the Ottawa police to allow the remaining trucks to leave peacefully.

The tweet was made after Dichter claimed to have witnessed police smashing the window of a protestor’s truck, drawing guns, and dragging the truck driver out.

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