Vancouver Island—no surprise—is very north-south oriented. However, Lantzville, being on the northern border, used to just be considered a subdivision of Nanaimo, and it's been part of it forever. As the mayor pointed out, they rely on Nanaimo for infrastructure, safety, policing, recreation, services, sewer, water and cultural activities. It makes a lot more sense to carve—and we're not talking about a big amount—a little out of the south end, which orients itself far more to Duncan, Duncan being the next-biggest city on the island. That's just the way it's been, frankly, forever.
On April 18th, 2023. See this statement in context.