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Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities conference returns to Nanaimo

Local governments meet to improve lives of people they serve

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JOINT NEWS RELEASE - Distributed April 10, 2025 11:54 AM

The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo are pleased to host the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) 2025 Annual General Meeting and Convention. The convention runs April 11 to 13 and is open to elected representatives from member communities and to members of the public who register.

The primary purpose of the convention is to bring together AVICC members to discuss proposed resolutions that are aimed at improving the lives of the people we serve as local governments. Resolutions that pass at the AVICC convention are voted on by Union of BC Municipalities members in the fall.

The convention’s business and social sessions will take place at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in downtown Nanaimo. Vaughn Palmer and Keith Baldrey will be delivering the keynote address on Friday, April 11. Vaughn Palmer is an award-winning journalist and has been writing a column about provincial politics for over 25 years for the Vancouver Sun. Keith Baldrey is the Legislative Bureau Chief for Global News, an author, a radio commentator and a syndicated columnist for Postmedia.

The Association represents 53 cities, towns, villages and regional districts from Haida Gwaii to the southern tip of Vancouver Island and other local governments of Vancouver Island, Sunshine Coast, qathet/Powell River, the North Coast and the Central Coast.

Convention hosts and attendees gratefully acknowledge that this event is being held on the traditional territory of the Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Key Points

  • The City of Nanaimo and the Regional District of Nanaimo will host the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities (AVICC) 2025 Annual General Meeting and Convention from April 11 to 13.
  • The primary purpose of the convention is to bring together AVICC members to discuss proposed resolutions that are aimed at improving the lives of the people we serve as local governments. Resolutions that pass at the AVICC convention are voted on by Union of BC Municipalities members in the fall.
  • The convention’s business and social sessions will take place at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in downtown Nanaimo.

Quotes

"It is once again an honour to welcome delegates from across the Island and coastal communities to Nanaimo. This event is a valuable opportunity for local leaders to connect, collaborate and advance the issues that matter most to our residents. With thoughtful dialogue, insightful speakers and the shared goal of strengthening our communities, the convention promises to be both productive and inspiring. Municipal school is in session in Nanaimo and the public will be the benefactors."

Leonard Krog
Mayor
City of Nanaimo

"The Regional District of Nanaimo is pleased to again co-host the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities convention with the City of Nanaimo. It is a great opportunity for elected officials from around the region to meet in person to discuss common goals and challenges, learn from each other, hear knowledgeable speakers, and come back with new ideas to benefit the region."

Vanessa Craig
RDN Chair
Regional District of Nanaimo
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Contact:

For media enquiries, please contact:
Communications
City of Nanaimo
250-754-4251
Rebecca Taylor
Communications Coordinator
Regional District of Nanaimo
250-713-2400

Print News Release

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