 | PROBUS CLUB OF NANAIMO NORTH |
Guest Speakers
2025 Upcoming Guest Speakers
Past Guest Speakers
2025
JUNE:
Donna Hais was representing Fair Care Alliance. She provided us with information on bringing Tertiary Health Care to Nanaimo and Vancouver Island which would provide specialized medical care for complex and rare conditions such as cardiac care. Her presentation is below.
Fair Care Alliance Core Presentation.pdf
February:
Tim Schewe - "Bad Habits". Tim is a 25 year veteran of the RCMP. His presentation will focus on a wide range of points.
March:
Bob Crosby - Earthquake Information for BC.
Here are some links you may want to look at before or after the presentation:
- Ocean Networks Canada EEW
- Ocean Networks Canada earthquake dashboard
- NRCan early warning system
- Making an emergency kit
- CBC "Fault Lines" podcast
- NRCan earthquake map
Summary of the more important slides:
2024
November:
"Elder College Resurgent".
Robin Fisher - Robin is with Mid Island Elder College, and will talk about Elder College since its closure at VIU.
October:
"Scams and Frauds; what they look like, and what you can do to protect your hard earned money"
Guest Speaker Gary O'Brien from the Nanaimo RCMP office will talk about a timely and interesting topic! How to recognize and protect ourselves from the many scams around today.
September:
"Things you might not know about the BC SPCA"
Speaker Laura s semi-retired from an academic career in ethics and health care, remaining active with multiple research ethics review boards. Her presentation introduced us to the SPCA facility in Nanaimo and their many programs that promote the welfare of animals and their humans. She shared stories and photos about activities at the Nanaimo shelter, and info about the humane education program, the roles of Animal Protection Service officers, advocacy and policy work, volunteering and fostering opportunities, etc.
June:
"An interactive session on road safety"
Guest Speaker Tim Schewe is a 25 year veteran of the RCMP. He retired in 2006 with many years of traffic law enforcement experience. Tim tested our knowledge with a series of fun quiz questions that generated some interesting conversation, as well as pointers and questions about driving and road safety.
May:
"Getting Unstuck: Finish Your Life Story or Family History Book"
Speaker Mali Bain talked about capturing family stories and offered techniques for writing family history books.
Mali is a former high school teacher and has worked both as a teacher in non-profits and in philanthropy. She has a background facilitating diverse groups of stakeholders, and has worked in many places from Kenya to Newfoundland to UBC.
April:
AGM - no guest speaker
March:
Ross Peterson - Emergency Preparedness
Ross is a retired biologist and emergency manager – moving from North Vancouver to Nanoose Bay in 2000. Ross has been teaching at VIU ElderCollege for many years on the topic of Preparing for Emergencies and Disasters.
February:
Graham Sakaki, Regional Research Institute Manager. Graham presented current projects, including climate action initiatives, and opportunities for people to get involved.
January:
Lynne Bowen - Vancouver Island Coal Mining
2023
November:
David Hobson presented Part 2 of "The Crazy English Language".
Click below to view presentation:
October:
David Hobson spoke on "The Crazy English Language" - Part 1
September:
Ron Dimos spoke on how to evaluate the success of your investment portfolio and minimize risks in markets.
June:
Fellow club member Laura Kristiansen gave an interesting and timely presentation on invasive plant species that threaten our local ecology, with a focus on the most problematic ones in our immediate area. She outlined some treatment options, and gave a review of safe, alternative plants for our gardens.
May:
Ross Peterson spoke about the programs available at Elder College.
March:
Sharon Speevak spoke about the local chapter of the Elderdog organization. Elderdog Nanaimo is always looking for volunteers to help walking dogs of those seniors who want to keep their loving pets but are unable to regularly exercise their dogs.
February:
William Litchfield, Executive Director of BC Cancer Foundation Victoria and Jane Evans, BC Cancer Senior Development Officer for Vancouver Island.
We heard an update on the world-class cancer research, treatment and care at our Victoria Cancer Centre. we were updated on the impact of the PET/CT scanners and other new equipment now in operation, and the advancements in the Immunotherapy research that have the world’s attention. In addition, we learned about exciting new initiatives on the horizon for the Victoria Cancer Centre,
Support services available through BC Cancer: http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/our-services/services/library. On the main page, scroll down to a section labeled “Support Pathfinders” and click it to find a robust list of support services.
Some available transportation services:
Wheels for Wellness: https://wheelsforwellness.com
Cancer Drive Line: https://www.cancerdriveline.ca
CCS Wheels of Hope: https://cancer.ca/en/living-with-cancer/how-we-can-help/transportation
January:
Stephen Watson, MSc. Land Use Planning
B.C. Hydro Communications Lead John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project.
2022
Evan Arbuckle - Energy Transitions for the Future: Canadian Hydropower Resource Assessment and the Global Change Analysis Model; Understanding the Trade-offs/Economic Impacts of Hydropower and Alternative Energy Sources. Click on Power Point image at left to view presentation.
https://www.ualberta.ca/energy-systems/energy-in-action/posts/21-03-04-davies-arbuckle-hydro.html
October:
"Commerce and the Classics" Laura Kristiansen gave a lighthearted and entertaining presentation on the use of popular classical music in cartoons, movies and advertising.
September:
Bob's Presentation featured photos taken from the trip he and Debbie took to the southwestern U.S. in May of this year. Including 5 National Parks and a State Park in Utah, plus a National Park and a Tribal Park in Arizona. It included maps and camping information, and a few words about how the extreme drought is affecting the Lake Powell reservoir and the Glen Canyon dam. Bob is a semi-professional photographer specializing in landscapes. He has sold photos to Beautiful B.C. Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Teldon Calendars, The Postcard Factory, and Canadian Geographic, among many others. You can view the photos from Bob's presentation by clicking on the link below
YouTube link: https://youtu.be/WJ-ZAkMNLt4
June:
Lieutenant Colonel Justin Olsen, Commanding Officer 418 Search and Rescue Squadron CFB Comox
March:
Dr. Adel Guitouni of the University of Victoria came to us live from Tunisia. He provided insight into sustainable and resilient supply chains, with applications in health and agri-food. Supply chains are no longer straightforward chains but often complex networks with many actors involved in the production, processing, transportation, retailing and waste management through products’ lifecycles. The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that all countries and most businesses are hugely reliant on production and supplies from around the world. An increasing number of businesses - from local, small ones to large multinationals - have moved to greater sustainability and social responsibility. As companies seek to strengthen their resilience and robustness, these companies are forced to rethink their supply chain operations and decision-making along co-production networks.
February:
This month we featured some of our own Probus members!
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Toula and Chris Spencer - Toula provide pictures and a talk on - “The City proposal to build a paved seawall over the Departure Bay shoreline” This proposed Mega Project is important to all citizens of Nanaimo, regardless of where they live
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John Townesend shared his experience on being a child in England during WWII.
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Bob Crosby talked about the recent Tonga volcano eruption and how it was detected by Ocean Networks Canada.
January:
January Probus Nanaimo North Guest Speaker series, our President, Keith Ruthman. Keith will be talking about Canada’s Role in Space and his career in that regard.
2021
November:
Violet Hayes talked about the Island Crisis Care Society. ICCS works with people who have experienced adversity and homelessness, providing housing alternatives and holistic support to their forward development, recovery and independence. Violet touched on homelessness and its causes and gave an overview of Island Crisis Care Society and what they are doing to address the issues in our area.
October:
Dr. Coupland, head of the Nanaimo Medical Staff Engagement Society and
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Janice Perion CEO of the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation.
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Dr. Tunde Adegbola MD Anatomical Pathologist, the first Head of Cardiology at NRGH, and Director at Large Nanaimo Medical Staff Association.
We received an update on the on the plans for a Tertiary Hospital, the 5 Year Plan at NRGH and the services to improve patient care in Nanaimo.
September:
Bob Crosby - Ocean Networks Canada Earthquake Early Warning system
June:
Mayor of Nanaimo His Worship, Mayor Leonard Krog
May:
Barb Riordan, Biologist and President of the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, a society of volunteer streamkeepers based in Parksville, presented highlights of some of the restoration projects and studies the society has completed, and their results in helping them achieve their Mission. Since 1998, their Mission has been the recovery of wild Pacific salmon populations through restoration of their habitat and engaging the community in watershed protection. Their focus is the Englishman River and its tributaries.
April:
It’s unlikely that aliens walk among us, but what about further afield? In this talk, University of Victoria Physics and Astronomy professor Jon Wills speaks about the ongoing search for alien life. From the mathematical certainty to the lack of scientific evidence (at least within the miniscule part of the universe we can examine) Jon breaks down one of humanity’s oldest questions. Are we alone? Click arrow below to watch presentation.
March:
Sonia Voicescu from the University of Victoria provided an overview of the general history, biology, and distribution of butterfly species on Southern Vancouver Island, addressed habitat requirements, and provided recommendations on what we can do to encourage and attract butterflies in our cities and gardens.
February:
Phillippe Lucas, VP of Patient Research and Access, Tilary Pharmaceutical Company, covered Medical Cannabis in Older Patients. Cannabinoid use is of particular interest for older individuals who may experience chronic pain, sleep disturbance, cancer-related symptoms and mood disorders, all of which are often poorly controlled by current drug treatments that may also incur medication-induced side effects.
2020
November:
Bob Crosby presented on Oceans Networks Canada and the work being done on our oceans floor.
February:
Dr. Coupland, President of the Nanaimo Medical Staff Engagement Society and Nanaimo Medical Staff Association and Dr. Forrest, Past President of these organizations provided an eye opening presentation on the Five Year Plan for Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and the need for our Government to provide more funds for some critical services and resources at the hospital.
NRGH needs new services and new resources. Some of the critical issues are:
- Need a Cancer Centre
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Need a Cardiac Catheterization Lab - pressing issue
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Need Gastroenterology Program
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Need a new Patient Care Tower
2019
November:
Dr. Brian Riddell, Science Advisor, Pacific Salmon Foundation spoke in depth about the work the PSF does and about the state of Pacific salmon. He said that unlike a lot of what the media publishes about Pacific salmon, he was quite optimistic about their future. He acknowledged that right now salmon stock is going through a low period and the Big Bar slide earlier this year was catastrophic for Chinook salmon. Although a lot of work was carried out right after the slide to get fish to the other side, work has pretty much ground to a halt right now. Although current situation for Pacific salmon is bad, Brian feels that salmon are robust and will survive, although stocks may not increase for a few years, Pacific salmon are here for the long run. Brian said that Pacific salmon are vital to B.C’s coastal ecological systems which survive on the backs of Pacific salmon.
There are ten species of Pacific salmon and more than 9,300 salmon populations (species and stream populations) in BC organized into about 450 conservation units applied in resource management.
Salmon spawn in fresh water and then go out to sea – in freshwater they absorb salt and expel salt in the ocean. Salmon can spend from 6 months to 7 years at sea where they gain 99% of their body mass, but they all come back to local streams where they spawn and where they were born – this is what we have to protect.
For more information on the Salish Sea Project and salmon populations visit The Pacific Salmon Foundation Website. https://www.psf.ca/
October:
Mike Hooper, CEO of Nanaimo Airport, gave an excellent presentation on the history and future plans for the Airport. In 1942, the Department of National Defense purchased the 500+ acres of land the airport sits on for $20,000 from Thomas Cassidy. Today, the Nanaimo Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in BC and is already 10 years ahead of passenger projections. In 2019, 500,000 passengers passed through the Airport with more than 870 scheduled flights arriving and departing each month. The Airport supports 2,700 jobs directly and indirectly and puts $490 Million into our local economy.
Expansion:
The work on the passenger terminal will be completed soon with official ribbon cutting in January 2020. The new terminal will double the seating capacity for passengers and expand the security screening service. The terminal expansion is part of the 20 year expansion plan and Mike said future plans will include more food and beverage facilities and possibly sale of alcohol. Airport also working on direct flights to sun destinations and he thought Las Vegas would be one of the first non-stop destinations possibly within the next two years. Mike also felt that the direct Nanaimo to Edmonton flight will return at some point. Routes are decided by airlines, taking into account load factors (must be above 70% and preferably 80-90%) plus revenue streaming. Mike also mentioned the Airport is responsible for 4 km of land around the airport and future plans include improvements to access roads, the parking areas as well as further development, i.e. hotel, non-aviation revenue streams.
Fire Crews and Reliability:
Mike advised the group that the Airport now has two full-time fire crews required by law because of growth of Airport. Airport has achieved 99.6% weather reliability with improvements to approach lighting.
September:
Mike Annan is the Co-Founder, and Executive Director of Vancouver Island Compassion Dogs which is a Division of B.C. Guide Dog Services. He has been in the Canine Assistance dog training and behaviour world since 2002 and has designed and implemented several innovative canine behaviour and training programs for people and dogs over the past 17 years. Mike was accompanied by service dog 18 month old Guideon who quickly became the centre of attention after Mike’s presentation.
In 2012, Mike was requested to design and implement an Operational Stress Injury/Post traumatic Stress Service Dog Program for injured Veterans and RCMP in Canada. Since then his program has put 45 veterans and service dogs into service. Mike’s program has received international recognition and was the first in the world to be accredited internationally under the PTSD Service Dog Standards set forth by Assistance Dogs International.