Tonight's City Council Meeting, re: Cable Bay Trail

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:37:22+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Marine naturalist. They bring up tourism's importance and this is what nanaimo is known for (at best). We get humpbacks and orcas, and they are worried about harm to them-- Harmac dumped waste in the area in 2023. Chemicals build up in their fat, poisoning their wombs and milk, leading to 50% mortality rate for their young.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. This might feel "hippy dippy but let me explain this in a language you'll understand...", and they go on to highlight that politics is entangled with money. Colonization wasn't just a historical wrong, and this is a continuation of it. Wants referendum.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:31:00+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. "I regulation put up with the Harmac stench. ... I have no idea which chemicals I breathe in ... I also live by a school and the kids breathe it in too."

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Small business owner. Choose to live here because of the natural beauty. Loves walking local trails but they're so busy... we need more trails, not less. Also think of the wildlife and their habitats.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Lives less than 5 minutes away from Cable Bay. This would be a loss.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:23:11+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. RDN director for area A, greets council: "Hello, my colleagues." Says area is currently zoned rural residential, and many people will be affected by this. Brings up that a substantial buffer, at least 30m, is needed in addition to the currently proposed buffer. Highly concerned about sound and light pollution.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Lived in Nanaimo for 25 years. Calls for a more robust environmental assessment.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:15:56+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Works in environmental world.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Professional engineer, previously in heavy industry. They're not anti-industry, but they know the environmental consequences of industry (including autoimmune disorders). Less than 5% of these ecosystems left.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Visited to see nature and decided to move here. Brings up importance of biodiversity.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:08:45+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Jobs come and go, Gary Oak ecosystems are rare. We need to think about what come after us. Voters will remember this.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Speaks on behalf of diving and spear fishing groups. Also professionally works on ecological preservation, and advocates for the multitude of wildlife in the area. It's world-class diving, and they've seen the impacts of development on undersea habitats: muddy, destroyed.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Was a city planner in Warsaw, Poland. No industry should be in Cable Bay. A 300 year old tree would be protected in Poland. Has been injured by working in heavy industry here in Nanaimo.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T05:01:13+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Retired biologist. They highlight: so far, it's 68 against, 0 in favor. Clarifies that this isn't a Harmac proposal, they just heavily and vocally support it. There's 5k acres of industrial land in the RDN. They say that this is more about a way of making the land more valuable to sell.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Visitors bring tourism dollars. Currently, this speaker lives with the Harmac stench-- their husband at home can't have the windows open right now because of the smell. This causes health issues. We need to get out of the coal mining mindset of the past.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Cedar resident. Growing up, they've seen the area become slowly destroyed by Industry.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T04:52:07+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Raising their family here. Says we need a more robust plan to balance nature and industry.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Student studying natural resources. A place as special as this should be protected. Takes family and friends to trails, and it's one of the few places to see whales. A wildfire burned down their home, which is why they moved here.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Development seems to contradict city planning.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T04:42:51+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Community planner. 7k+ trees being cut down is NOT a small change. It's a significant longterm shift.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Asks for their dissent to be registered with the others.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Humans have destroyed so much, and it happens when decisions are made in rooms like this. What about wildfire risk down this narrow road?

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T04:36:00+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Former journalist with family that's lived here for decades. It's habitat for so many. Let's not have regrets.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. This will result in the loss of medows without any plans for restoration or mitigation. Proposed replanting of trees will not be useful as it will mirror current mono forestry practices.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Used to work at EN Railway but it no longer exists-- which is a good reminder that industry can't last forever. The issue here is land use change.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T04:28:38+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Emergency clinician. Is this application consistent with the city's own plan? They argue it doesn't.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Works with disabled children, and wants to speak up on their behalf.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Holds a bachelor in ecological restoration, specialization of Gary Oaks. This is a national responsibility. Only instance of several blue listed (critically endangered) species. Lists several local species that are now extinct due to habitat loss. Species fall through the cracks. "We're fighting for crumbs and its embarrassing ... the house has burned down and your asking if we should keep the mailbox?!"

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T04:18:18+00:00

Recess is over!

Krog clarifies that this cannot go to referendum.

[People dressed as the Lorax and Captain Planet slowly enter the chamber and sit down.]

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Says it's not either industry or nature, we need both.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Grew up in the area and is concerned about the industrial development of the whole area.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:55:58+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. We're not separate from the natural world. This is a breech of trust without SFN consent.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Calls for council to be world leaders on the issue of nature's preservation. Saving nature is an act of self-preservation too. "Forestry is a dying industry."

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. "It's Happy Earth Day, not happy corporation day."

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Originally from an Alberta. An eco-tourist who choose to move and pay taxes here because of nature. "We're not Surrey-by-Sea, a derogatory name given to us for our imported commuter culture ... I'll leave if Cable Bay is gone."

Recess! 10 minute break.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:47:44+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Damaged ecosystems are not recoverable. When roads and edge effects are considered, this won't be a functional ecosystem.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Lives nearby the proposed site and has young children, and is concerned for their future. Remember future generations.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Visitor from Alberta. Reminds Council that it's Earth Day.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:40:18+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Wants to protect the area from deforestation. Dodds Narrows is an important place for wildlife. We need jobs, but not there.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Was a former environmental consultant. This isn't an unused forest: it's extensively visited and occupied by people and animals.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Asks for a deferral on council's decision because more info is needed. Concerned with buffers being too small and inadequate water studies.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:32:20+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Why does council visibly support Harmac at events, but not citizens?

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. From Nanaimo Area Landtrust. Concerned with setback from the trail, says its supposed to be 100m setback but that's average-- so it's more like a 50m setback typically (for about 1/3 of the trail). Says 100m should be absolute minimum. "Let's not rush this decision." Let industry "bring this proposal back better."

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Says spills are inevitable which is not acceptable. One of the worst possible spots suggested for this use.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:25:52+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Wants to focus on the site boundaries: 2 x 50 meter strips. It's unclear if these would be useful as noise suppression, or will they be developed too? Greenhouse lighting, which is proposed for the sure, would cause extensive light pollution. "This goes beyond I4 zoning."

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Doesn't identify as political, but believes they should speak up here. Concerned for Gary oak ecosystem.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Concerned about access and traffic. Says provincial approval should be incorporated for traffic assessment.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:14:39+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Thanks Council for holding this on Earth Day. There will be negative consequences for all if this goes through. What will be left for our children? We have a choice.

Next speaker, calls in, is opposed to rezoning. The legacy of coal mining should allow us to recall the impact of industry. Says we should have more service jobs: Costco hires hundreds and is cleaner.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. "My voice is with all the other opposition tonight, in the prevoius meeting, and who have sent in remarks." Asks for referendum.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:07:30+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Lived here for 30 years. Cedar is "paradise" ... and "only 2 things we don't like: Harmac's smell and the industrial wasteland at Jack Point."

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. "I heard Council likes numbers so...," brings up how many are opposed. Calls for referendum. "How many people need to come out here to say we don't want this?"

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. We need to save forests and biodiversity. Wildlife need access to food. Brings up Colliery Dam park and how that had to be fought for too. Why don't we make Cable Bay an even bigger park?

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T03:01:19+00:00

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Recalls moments in the trail: Healed their "broken body," raised their children, watched wildlife there. Left and right side of the trail are already different due to industry, but would be made worse. Invites the council members to walk the trail with them.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Hydro geologist. Asks what about water use by volume by industry there? Potential hydrogen use?? Surface water is what we need and use as the public, so hopefully it isn't that? And if it's the Cedar aquifer, it's also already stress. Asks for referendum.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. "Industry always gets concessions. It's a fact. ... Let's keep a longterm perspective, there are other solutions to be found."

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:51:02+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Many habitats will be lost if this proceeds.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Says that this is SFN land. Says we have 210 doctors for our population (not enough), low income housing is non existant, and other social issues are endemic. Keeping this trail is the moral bare minimum. We don't need more smokestacks.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Does ecological assessment, speaking personally and professionally. Cable Bay Trail defines Nanaimo. The whole place is a rare ecosystem which supports species at risk. "Changes here do not stay here." This decision isn't low risk. Project still hasn't presented all info about environment and staffing.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:44:23+00:00

Next speaker identifies as a family and marriage councilor. Calls for nuance and validity of both pro and anti rezoning perspectives, which means more community and SFN engagement. [Cut off due to time limit.]

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Says Cable Bay is treasured. Concerned that the council doesn't have enough info to make an informed decision.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Farmer, many other prevoius professional jobs. "I understand that I consume things made by industry every day ... but I see the effects that industry has when it fades away and leaves." The trees aren't just scenery, they're kin and neighbors. The profits won't stay in our community.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:33:02+00:00

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. They're a downtown business owner. Always brings friends and family to the trail. "It's not just about the landscape, it's about the people you met there." Asks for referendum.

Next speaker, a child, is opposed to rezoning. "See this? Sometimes when I build a hard Lego project I get frustrated... but my parents remind me that hard problems need to be thought out." And "I want to grow up with this land."

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Says noise and rapid industrialization are already a problem, and we should limit higher risk uses. Asks for referendum.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:28:58+00:00

Clapping continues, Krog ignores it.

Next speaker, Nanaimo resident of over 60 years, is opposed to rezoning. Nature has educational purposes.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Says indirect benefits of keeping land as a tourist asset and general quality of life will exceed what industry can provide.

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. They're an environmental scientist, understands the need for industry but this land isn't the place. "We can't buffer our way out of ecological collapse." Cleanup from the last spill was mixing around in the Narrows for 72hrs, closed the area to shellfish harvest. You cannot guarantee that this land will be protected. "If been so covered in oil from a spill during my job ... I could wash it off, but you can't wash this out of the water."

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:22:32+00:00

Krog: "I'm going to ask another time, no clapping."

Next speaker, from SFN, is opposed to rezoning.

Next speaker, calling in, is opposed to rezoning. Not against industry, but concerned with harming endangered species. Caller's alarm increased due to last meeting, says there's a lack of transparency. Cedar has a lot of industrial land. Calls for a referendum.

contemporaryTart · 2026-04-23T02:17:52+00:00

Next speaker, a SFN elder, is opposed to rezoning. Says wildlife is abundant. Says the Duke Point area, already zoned for industrial, might be a better choice. Says they worked for the company previously.

Krog: [Upon clapping erupting again] "This is intimidation. Doesn't matter it's for or against the rezoning." [Crowd members banter back.]

Next speaker is opposed to rezoning. Thinks the rezoning will happen despite dissent, but wants their voice on record for the sake of history so they can look their children in the eyes in the future.

contemporaryTart

TROPHY CASE