Mick Sweetman

@micksweetman.bsky.social

1520 Followers 1995 Following

Reporter and photographer for @thediscourse.ca in Nanaimo, British Columbia / Snuneymuxw Treaty territory. mick@thediscourse.ca

Video of sea lions on a log raft making lots of noise.
Photo of Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog and city councillors standing in front of the sign at Loudon Park holding a placard that shows the properties the city purchased to add to the park.
A crowd of people singing and dancing to the song Pink Pony Girl at The Nanaimo Pride Festival in Maffeo Sutton Park.
BEEF To S. You get away with bullying, treating women like objects, and employees like numbers, because you are the boss. You run this company on fear, just like the Galactic Empire. We’re not building the Death Star.
chart showing number of deaths from unregulated drugs in Nanaimo between 2014-2024. Source: BC Coroners Service showing a decrease in 2024 to 94 deaths after several years of large increases
7:32 AM PST Thursday 30 January 2025 Special Weather Statement in effect for: East Vancouver Island - Duncan to Nanaimo Wintery conditions. Where: Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. When: This afternoon and into next week. Remarks: A wintery mix of weather conditions is expected to impact the South Coast of BC over the next several days. A low pressure system is making its way towards the BC coast with steady precipitation beginning this afternoon. Due to initially low freezing levels, wet snow is likely over higher elevations with some areas receiving near 4 cm by Friday morning when the snow is expected to change to rain for most regions. Friday, temperatures are expected to rise and most areas will see just rain throughout the day. Some regions such as the North Shore could see significant rainfall amounts. However, Friday night and through the weekend, temperatures will fall as cold arctic air begins to invade the region and mix with the Pacific moisture. Amounts are uncertain at this time but accumulating snow is likely in many areas this weekend. Warnings will be issued as necessary. By early next week, very cold and dry air is expected over the South Coast with outflow conditions from an arctic ridge of high pressure settling over the region. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.
We fully support the VIU Women’s Basketball Team and their decision to refrain from participating in this weekend’s games against Columbia Bible College (CBC) as they prioritize their safety and take a stand against the unacceptable behavior exhibited by the players and coaching staff at CBC. Read more about the team’s decision here. The decision made by VIU’s team reflects a commitment to fostering an environment where all individuals feel secure, respected, and valued. We are deeply saddened by the harmful actions displayed by individuals during the recent games between CBC and the VIU Mariners. You can read more info here. The transphobia that has taken place undermines the values of respect, inclusion, and community that we uphold at the Students’ Union and in the VIU community. The reports of mistreatment are heartbreaking; however, moments like these remind us of the power of allyship and unity within our campus community to rise above adversity and hate. Since the transphobic attacks in the fall, we recognize that PACWEST has launched an ongoing investigation into these events, and we encourage a thorough and transparent process that ensures accountability and promotes a safe environment for all participants. We invite the VIU Men’s Basketball Team to join in solidarity and reflect upon their commitment to allyship. True allyship begins with meaningful action, and by choosing to proceed with their game, they risk signalling that the unacceptable behaviours displayed by the coaches and players of the Women’s Team at CBC are tolerated. Standing together in this moment sends a powerful message that such actions will not be overlooked or condoned. Your Students’ Union is steadfast in supporting the rights of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and is dedicated to creating a campus that is safe, welcoming, and inclusive for all.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Kelowna, BC January 9, 2025 The Vancouver Island University (VIU) women’s basketball team made a courageous stand by boycotting their upcoming PACWEST games at Columbia Bible College (CBC). This decision comes in response to CBC’s coach and players’ targeted harassment and discrimination against their transgender teammate, Harriette Mackenzie. VIU currently leads the PACWEST standings, is demanding not just respect for their teammate but systemic accountability and change. This situation is a stark reminder of the transphobia and misogyny that persist in women’s sports—specifically, trans misogyny, the intersection of transphobia and sexism targeting trans women. It’s a prejudice that also invalidates their identities while perpetuating the harmful idea that trans women threaten the fairness of women’s sports. The Myth of “Fairness” Opponents of trans inclusion often claim that trans women hold an inherent physical advantage. This argument is not only scientifically shaky but deeply rooted in fear and misinformation. Sports organizations like the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) have strict guidelines, including monitoring hormone levels, to ensure equitable competition. Athletes like Harriette Mackenzie meet or even exceed these requirements, often competing at a physical disadvantage compared to cisgender athletes. “The argument that banning trans women protects women’s sports harms all women—cis and trans alike,” according to Darrien McWatters, vice president of Advocacy Canada. “Women come in all shapes and sizes, with varying physical attributes like height, weight, and muscle composition. No athlete is built the same. Singling out trans women based on perceived differences perpetuates harmful stereotypes about what a “real” woman should look like, undermining the very concept of equity in sport.”
Wall display for Willie Thrasher.
Photo of a green body bag posted on Facebook Marketplace with the text "Military body bag CA $100 Will trade for camping gear or WHY"
Screenshot of text reading: The demonstration, organized by Divest for Palestine collective and independent labor union CLAC, coincided with Montreal's hosting of the 70th annual session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. Approximately 300 delegates from NATO members and partner states are attending the four-day event, which runs from November 22-25.
Sent on behalf of VIU President Dr. Deborah Saucier Dear students, It is with deep sadness that I share the tragic news that one of our students passed away this weekend. On behalf of the University, I share my deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the student’s family and loved ones, their friends here at Vancouver Island University, and to everyone that knew and loved them. I am heart-broken for your loss. Our community shares your grief, and you are in our thoughts. VIU will not be providing the name or any details about the cause of death out of respect for the privacy of the student and their family and friends. You can receive support the following ways: For all VIU students, A comfort room has been set up in the Cedar Center boardroom for today until 4pm and Tuesday from 10 am to 4pm. A virtual room is also available online here. There will also be a VIU Elder available throughout Monday and Tuesday for additional support.
Line chart showing number of overdoses responded to in Nanimo 2017-2023 by BCEHS and Nanaimo Fire Rescue
Line chart showing sharp increase in overdoses responded to by Nanaimo Fire Rescue since 2017.
RCMP were contacted after receiving a report of someone speaking disparagingly about another person’s aura; Police provided encouragement for the situation to be addressed by the parties involved. No charges were laid.
Photo of a youth wearing a pink shirt, red pants and a beige sun hat holding a sign that reads the oceans are rising and so are we.