City of Nanaimo Presents: The Sweet Layered Podcast

Today we’re joined by two of Nanaimo’s dedicated Bylaw Officers, Wally Taylor and Mike Buckler. We’ll be diving into what it’s like to work in bylaw enforcement, bylaws the community may not know about, the challenges, misconceptions and celebrations they experience and how they help keep our community safe and respectful. Thanks for joining us!

Nanaimo is getting ready to welcome 2,700 athletes for the 2025 55+ BC Games, a province-wide celebration of active living and community spirit.

Aquatics is one of the most popular programs offered by the City. On this episode we dive into a topic that makes a big splash in our community.

Recreation Coordinators Ashley Rowe and Amanda Watkins share information on the many programs offered from swim lessons, Aquafit, water safety and so much more. How many people use the facility each day and how many litres of water is needed to fill a pool? Listen to find out!

Public works, the essential service that keeps our community running smoothly.

On this episode we're exploring why public works matter, how they affect our daily lives and what residents might not realize about the planning and people behind the scenes. Most importantly, we discuss Public Works Day! What is it? Listen to find out.

Joining us are Sweet Layered Podcast alum Bill Sims, General Manager for Engineering & Public Works and David Thompson, Manager of Roads & Traffic Services.

April is Water to Earth Month and today we discuss and celebrate the critical connections between our environment and everyday lives.

In honour of Earth Day, we’re spotlighting a unique partnership that brings together multiple levels of government and private industry to care for something we all rely on, our watershed. From the forests that filter our water, to the rivers that carry salmon home, to the taps in our kitchens, it’s all connected.

Joining us is Mike Squire, the City's Manager of Water Resources, Pam Jorgenson the Manager of Community Initiatives & Certifications for Mosaic and James Meldrum, Senior Rebuilding Biologist for Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Ever wonder how the city keeps everything running smoothly? Some of it comes down to data—over 400 layers of it. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) support everything from managing water and wastewater to dispatching emergency services and tracking city assets. GIS helps City staff make informed decisions, improve public safety and even meet legislative requirements.

On this episode, we’re joined by Mark Willoughby, the City’s Supervisor of GIS, to break down how this powerful tool works and why it matters.

Ever wonder how buildings in Nanaimo stay safe and up to code? Today, we're taking a look at the Building Inspections and Permits process with Darcy Fox the Manager of Building Inspections. We chat about the folks who review permits, enforce regulations and help turn ideas into reality. Stick around as we break down how their work keeps our community growing strong!

On this episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast, we’re talking trash—literally! In the booth we welcome City Councillor and Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) Director Ben Geselbracht and City Zero Waste Coordinator Travis Barrington.

As one of four municipalities in the RDN, the City of Nanaimo plays an important role in supporting the RDN’s Solid Waste Management Plan. While the RDN sets the big-picture goals and targets for solid waste disposal, the City handles services like residential curbside collection, public waste receptacles and Zero Waste initiatives.

We also discuss the RDN's new waste source separation bylaw and who it affects plus we find out where your garbage, recycling and compost goes after it is picked up.

Tune in as we explore what the new bylaw means for residents, businesses and the environment, and how the City of Nanaimo is supporting these efforts to reduce waste and move closer to Zero Waste goals.

This special year-in-review episode of The Sweet Layered Podcast peeled back the many layers of what makes Nanaimo such a vibrant community. This year, we released 15 episodes, exploring everything from property taxes and water conservation to cultural celebrations and major city projects. With an average of over 100 downloads per episode, we’re proud to be in the top 25th percentile of podcasts worldwide, thanks to you—our amazing listeners!

On this episode, we’re revisiting the highlights, sharing memorable moments and celebrating the stories that made 2024 such an exciting year for our podcast. 

In this episode, we’re diving into Nanaimo’s 2025-2029 Draft Financial Plan—a blueprint for managing $4.8 billion in City assets and supporting a growing population of over 100,000. With investments in public safety, housing and infrastructure, the plan reflects the City’s commitment to sustainability, livability and long-term resilience.

We chat with Chief Administrative Officer Dale Lindsay and General Manager of Corporate Services Laura Mercer.

*Episode recorded on December 3, 2024