News and Stories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nanaimo Harbourfront Library Welcomes CBC’s Nahlah Ayed for Sold-Out National Ideas Series Event

Nanaimo, BC (April 10, 2025) – On April 3, 2025, the Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) was alive with energy and conversation as more than 170 community members gathered for a powerful evening of dialogue and reflection. The event, part of the CBC’s national Ideas for a Better Canada series, featured acclaimed journalist Nahlah Ayed, host of CBC’s IDEAS, and tackled one of the most pressing issues facing Canadians today: the housing affordability crisis.

Titled “Do I Count? A Canada That Leaves No One Behind,” the event offered a thought-provoking exploration of the social, generational, and systemic impacts of housing insecurity. As skyrocketing rents and home prices continue to erode the dream of secure housing for many, the Nanaimo session invited participants to consider how local solutions could ripple outward to inspire national change.

Hosted in collaboration with the Samara Centre for Democracy and funded through the CBC Collab Fund, the event is part of a coast-to-coast initiative aimed at strengthening democracy through public dialogue and community-led ideas.

“Libraries have always been spaces where big ideas are born and shared,” said Erin Hemmens, Board Chair, Vancouver Island Regional Library. “We’re incredibly proud to have partnered with CBC and the Samara Centre to host this crucial conversation and to have welcomed such an engaged and passionate audience.”

Jeff Strain, Library Manager of the Nanaimo Harbourfront Branch, added: “It was inspiring to see people from different walks of life come together in our space to discuss an issue that affects us all. Events like this reaffirm the library’s role as a vital community hub where meaningful dialogue and collaboration can thrive.”

The Nanaimo event drew a standing-room-only crowd—exceeding its seated capacity of 125 with an additional 75 standing attendees, including VIRL and CBC staff. Over the course of the evening, Ayed facilitated an open discussion that highlighted innovative community housing models, affordability strategies, and the broader implications of housing insecurity on civic participation and democracy.

The discussion featured a diverse and insightful panel of local leaders and experts who spoke to the housing crisis from a range of perspectives. Panelists included Gregor Craigie, CBC Radio host and author of Our Crumbling Foundation; Leonard Krog, Mayor of Nanaimo; Kix Citton, Executive Director of the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society; Joan Brown, Chief Administrative Officer of the Snuneymuxw First Nation; Louis James, representative from Strong Towns Nanaimo; and Michael MacKenzie, Jarislowsky Chair in Trust and Political Leadership at Vancouver Island University. Together, they brought forward bold ideas and answered audience questions on how we can collectively work toward more equitable and sustainable housing solutions.

As the federal election approaches and Canada faces continued democratic challenges, Ideas for a Better Canada is helping communities like Nanaimo amplify their voices, share lived experiences and envision a future where no one is left behind. For more information about upcoming events, visit virl.bc.ca.

Media Contact:
Natasha Bartlett nbartlett@virl.bc.ca
250-327-3114

#######

About VIRL

As a regional system, Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) covers a vast geographic area, from Sooke and Sidney in the south to Port Hardy, Haida Gwaii and the Central Coast. Our libraries service a mix of urban, rural, and remote communities across more than 42,000 square kilometres – working together to deliver exemplary services. These services include free access to dynamic programming and events, bookable meeting rooms, and 39 branches that are essential spaces in communities large and small. VIRL has the third-largest public library collection in BC, featuring downloadable e-books, audiobooks, digital news, streaming services, children’s materials, and much more.