The livestream captures a community gathering in Nanaimo, British Columbia, hosted by Tod Maffin and attended by provincial MLA Sheila Malcolmson, other local officials, volunteers, and visitors from the United States. The event opens with an acknowledgement of the Snuneymuxw First Nations territory, followed by heartfelt thanks to volunteers, local businesses, and the cross‑border visitors whose presence supports the town’s resource‑based economy amid tariff pressures. Tod highlights the importance of personal connections, reminds guests of their remaining visitor‑visa days, and emphasizes inclusivity regardless of background or identity. The program proceeds to introduce provincial representatives, arrange a group photograph at the iconic Nanaimo sign, and includes light‑hearted moments such as puppy admiration, drone usage, and playful banter. The stream concludes with gratitude for participants, a promise of future live content, and a warm invitation to continue exploring Vancouver Island.
Chapters
My name is Katty.
They all know things. An international tai chi demonstration down here at Maffeo Sutton Park.
¡Hola!
And one of the best things about today is all the cute puppies that are here. Later. Look at all the sweet pups. And this couple here are here from North Carolina. I don't know.
I'm sorry we won't be here. And would you come back?
This is the information table of local volunteers that have been so thoughtful and generous. Yes, I know there was some confusion. People thought, oh, only Americans are wearing the red lanyards, or— but no, it's a mix. Anybody that was coming. Yeah. And you must be local with this cutie pie with you. Where are you from? I'm from Vancouver.
You're A dollar will buy a lot of clothes. Clothes. If they'll take them.
If we have a lot of them. There's a good boy. There's a good boy. There's some more good boys. Happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear Tod Maffin. Happy birthday to you!
Thank you. Please stop the emotionally fragile at the best of times. First of all, I just want to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territories of the Tsunamic people. It's with gratitude that we are here on their land today. Louder?
Yeah!
I'll do my best! Um, you all came! I was only kidding. Um, I'm gonna make this quick because I wanted— I want to get us to the photographs, but, um, and I don't have a lot to say. I just want— I just want to say thank you. And I know that the phrase "you've made a difference" is said a lot, and I want you to know the difference that you've made. Your presence here in our community is— small businesses are meeting payroll difference. It's restaurants don't have to lay people off difference. That's the difference you're making. And I also want to thank you for your friendship. Um, there's a lot of noise between our borders right now, and I think that this really proves that the bond that we have between our countries, you know, person to person, is always going to be strong. I really believe that. Thank you for showing up. You know, we're a resource town. We are forestry and fishing. Our roots are in mining. So with the tariffs and everything going on, your presence has been amazing. I also think I should— this would be a good time to remind you that you you still have 178 days left in your visitor visas. So see the rest of the island, see the rest of Canada, and I want you to know that no matter who you are or where your family is from or who you love or how many trans kids you have, you are welcome in our country. So I'm gonna hand it off to a couple of folks and then we're gonna go— we are, after they speak, we are gonna walk over to those letters, the Nanaimo sign, for the giant photograph. I'm first going to introduce our two provincial representatives. They are the local MLA Sheila Malcolmson and George Robinson.
Hi friends, I'm Sheila. I'm the First Columbia's rep in the BC Legislature for this part of the Naimo, the southern part of the Naimo. So you're in the riding that I am honored to represent. We are here in Snuneymuxw First Nations territory and give So many thanks. This is my name. I am speaking of— We are so glad you are visiting our amazing, beautiful community. And my two amazing colleagues, Stephanie Hickenson to my left and George Anderson to my right, also representing my wonderful chair, George Anderson. And now over to George Anderson. Andrew Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lennoxville.
Thank you, Julia. I'm going to try and speak as loud as I can. I'm very much a soft-spoken person, but that being said, I initially thought that Tod had just invited me, but wow. I just want to say this event just goes to demonstrate the depth of our community, that people show up, they show up for their neighbours, they show up for local Friends, I was told I could brief this morning. I'm trying to be as brief as any politician possibly can with this many live voters in town. I first want to recognize the Rev. Elizabeth Parker, this name of First Nation, who lives and occupies event and these bands from time immemorial. For me, and I don't want to get serious this morning because this for me is quite simply what Tod always wanted it to be, an event about fun and friendship. Fun and friendship. And by your presence here this morning, you remind all of us that we share much more in common than we don't share in common. We occupy a wonderful part of the world. We live in democratic countries. We enjoy that privilege, and we enjoy the opportunity to visit and know, and quite candidly, a merry back and forth, as I understand it, Phil and Judy. Friends, enjoy your time in Iowa. Enjoy your time in You are more than welcome. I hope you're enjoying yourself. Explore Vancouver Island a little bit. Come to know your fellow North Americans and remind yourself each and every day that notwithstanding what you heard him tell you, it isn't always this wonderful here in Vancouver, in Canada. I just want to say that. photo. It'll be a lovely memory and a reminder of little old Tod Maffin.
Yeah, yeah.
For all of our memories as the guy who birthed and nurtured this amazing event. And as he said himself, it could make a difference. It could make a real difference. I wanted to quote Margaret Mead saying that, "Never doubt for a moment that a small group of dedicated people could change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." I don't know that this will change the world, but you know what? It has made a big difference, and we are so grateful to have you here. Let's give them a big round of applause one more time. Okay, thank you again. We are now going to take some time to photograph. My friend Dirk here is our photographer. There's also a drone. I understand that we got permission from the federal government, apparently, to fly because we're close to the seaplane terminal, and so it's a federal area. So that's amazing. Um, so If you turn around, you probably already see that the big Nanaimo sign, the big letters, we are going to meet there right now. Thank you. I just realized I could have introduced Mr. Councilman.
He was waving.
I met a woman from North Carolina.
Okay, are you still live streaming? Yeah, that was amazing.
Where's June?
Where'd she go? Lose her? Oh, she's over there. We gotta be at the front. It's so funny because I have so many people are like, oh my goodness, where did you get that scarf? And I was like, have you ever been to an actual yarn store? Because I literally just unrolled it. Cheap and easy, that's the, uh, Hi, can I take your picture? Oh yes, we have the Norwegian flag representing. How can they do this? A dignitary. These little puppies. Sorry, that's okay. Tripped on myself. Do they know when they're in the— should we go to the front with Tod?
Is it still on?
Yeah, I didn't know if you wanted me to or not.
I hear—
I mean, hi everyone, I'll be with you in a second. Check this out. Oh my God, oh my God, I'm loving it. For my sister Ramona, she can't be here.
You have to turn it around. Yeah, there, there you go.
Pauline. Oh, hi Pauline. Thank you for looking after her for us. Hi, nice to meet you. Hi.
Oh yeah, he's working there.
Yes! Can I get one picture?
Sure, yeah. I'm a union photographer and my 15-minute break is scheduled for right now, so just hang in there. No!
Oh, there's the drone.
That's so cool. Oh, way in the back there, I think your fly's undone.
All right, are you able to pull that thing back just a bit?
There we go. I don't want to block people.
All right, and the CB, you guys got a smile too, did you guys?
You guys are in the photo.
All right, uh, what am I going to say?
Spray cheese!
Spray cheese!
Spray cheese! Best neighbors ever!
Yes, yes, yes! Best neighbors ever! Way to go, Polly! That's enthusiasm. Best neighbors ever! Awesome! We got it! Thank you, everyone! I'm a bargain, bargain, a bargain!
Thank you so much for making your way here. Hi, Calvin! Can you just shut down the airplanes for that? Hold on, I forgot to put film in the camera. Sorry. Could you please raise your hand if you're from the States, just so we can see?
Thank you so much, everyone. Hug your neighbors, everyone. Hug your neighbors. Hey, welcome! You're from here? Yeah. Nice to meet you.
Vancouver. Thank you. Actually, the exchange rate's better, so I think there's more Americans. That's true, that is true.
Yeah.
Wow.
Oh my gosh, John! How is it?
How is it?
Oh, look at this!
I'm out.
She helped with a lot, and she helped with Sandy. She was—
I should do this.
Thank you. Sure.
Okay, I'm going to turn the livestream off now.
I'm going to turn it around again.
I'm sorry that I wasn't able to say hello to you folks on the livestream, but I was busy, obviously. Thank you if you weren't able to be here. Thank you for just supporting this thing. I will come back, probably live tonight at some point, but there will definitely be a video. I'm so grateful for everyone who shared this and who participated in it. Overwhelming.
Thank you.
I'll try to get to the public tonight, by courtesy.
