In Victoria
The breakwater is the best place. A good chance of catching a ling cod, rock cod, greenling and maybe even a salmon. Its also a nice walk on a sunny day as it hooks up with the waterfront walk from either Beacon Hill Park of downtown Victoria.
I grew up fishing the Breakwater, would catch the bus down to the Breakwater, catch a bunch of fish and travel back on the bus with those fish in plastic bag.....people back in those days would ask questions and tell you Nice catch.....today you probably wouldn't be allowed on the bus.
Not sure about Nanaimo.
You can go to here and ask about both places.
https://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum
Cheers
SS