Hundreds of Americans, visiting Nanaimo this weekend, showed up in a downtown park to be part of a picture this afternoon.
It was the second annual infusion event organized by Nanaimo resident Tod Maffin who used his influence on social media to invite Americans to support Canadians.
Many responded to Maffin’s invite Saturday and congregated at Maffeo Sutton Park including health care workers who are considering getting a job and moving here.
“The people here are so kind and welcoming and forgiving of the cloud we live under right now that how can we not want to come?” said Joy Beatty, a health care worker from Westport, Washington.
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“I decided to come cause I have a trans kid and I’m looking for a place where we can feel more safe and I can nurse,” said Georgia Rising, a health care worker from Golden, Colorado.
Island Health, Vancouver Island’s largest employer, had 25 people at the park trying to recruit health care workers, after last years successful infusion event.
“Last year we saw an uptick of roughly 150 new hires into the organization that are U.S. hires,” said Carlie Powell, Island Health’s director of recruitment.
Island Health says it has vacancies it’s trying to fill across Vancouver Island from doctors to physiotherapists to electricians and yesterday an open house at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital drew nearly 100 U.S. health care workers.
Multiple organizations had infomation Saturday for those thinking about the move to Vancouver Island including the Nanaimo-Ladysmith School District.
“I just want to thank Tod and Jocelyn for all the work that they’ve done and the community that they’ve built. He’s famous when he walks in. Everybody wants a hug from Tod and they want to meet who he is and the partnerships he’s created. It’s truly wonderful,” said Powell.
Others are also recruiting. Corrine Blackmore is here, trying to recruit a family primary care physician and two nurse practitioners to Elevate Medical Clinic, a new facility, in Campbell River.
“So excited about what Tod Maffin is doing and creating an awareness around the health care crisis and how Canada is the best place to be and Campbell River especially,” said Blackmore, who is the Clinic’s Finance/Account Manager.
Mafin says he’s blown away by the turnout. He says 600 Americans registered, and the success of last years infusion event, inviting American health care workers to visit, is spreading.
“That became a national movement. There are now 43 chapters across the country that are using the Nanaimo template and they are recruiting people in their own communities,” said Mafin.
A few speeches were made including by Maffin.
“In Canada it doesn’t matter to us where you come from. Where your family is from. Who you worship. Who you love. How many trans kids you have. We’re grateful you are here and you are welcome in our country,” said Maffin to a loud applause.
The event has also drawn politicians including Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis, who pledged to help with any arising immigration issues, and Premier David Eby, along with four MP’s, including B.C.’s Health Minister.
“This is obviously a hard time between our countries right now,” said Eby addressing the audience. “This is not a fight between Americans and Canadians. This is a political issue and this too will pass and what will help us get through to the other sides is events like this. This is so inspiring to see you here.”
The main event was everyone getting together for a picture taken with a drone. Nanaimo’s second annual infusion closed out with a rousing rendition of the Canadian National Anthem.
Tod Maffin speaking with some of his supporters at Maffeo Sutton Park on April 25, 2026.