A new MRI machine is coming to Nanaimo Regional Hospital to help increase patient access to MRI services. It is expected to be in place in 2018.

The Province, in partnership with the BC Lung Association, is improving air quality throughout B.C. by providing $19,750 to the Regional District of Nanaimo as part of the Provincial Wood Stove Exchange Program.

The B.C. government has distributed $492,601 in compensation for municipal property taxes to the City of Nanaimo.

Canadians will be better equipped for the well-paying middle-class jobs of today and tomorrow with a $22.4 million investment at Vancouver Island University (VIU) to expand the Marine, Automotive and Trades Complex and create a District Geo-Exchange Energy System.

Three school districts in the region will receive a combined $70,000 in funding for the Youth Work in Trades program to boost trades training for young people.

Provincial patient safety and quality officer Dr. Doug Cochrane has completed his review of the early functioning of IHealth, the electronic health record system implemented in three Nanaimo-area health facilities in March.

Students, teachers and staff at Cedar Elementary school in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district will benefit from $240,000 in provincial School Enhancement Program funding.          

Co-op students at Vancouver Island University and North Island College will benefit from $75,000 in one-time funding, part of a $1.3-million announcement to 16 public post-secondary institutions following the launch of Co-op Week celebrations.