Pacific Coastal Airlines has added a new daily non-stop flight between Vancouver and Tofino to its spring schedule.
The new flight starts April 3, though the spring schedule will begin March 4 and be in effect until June 3.
The new flight will operate seven days a week, leaving Vancouver International’s south terminal at 3:15 p.m. and arriving at the Tofino/Long Beach Airport at 4 p.m. It leaves the west coast of the Island at 4:30 p.m. and arrives in Vancouver at 5:15 p.m.
The airline will use a 19-seat turboprop Beechcraft 1900 to service the new route, but the company might upgrade to a 30 or 34-seat Saab 340A or 340B aircraft should demand increase.
Other changes to the spring schedule include a new early-morning connection between Cranbrook and Comox, three daily connections between Cranbrook and Victoria, twice-daily morning and afternoon flights between Port Hardy and Vancouver and the return of the Saturday flight between Vancouver and Masset starting May 4.
Cruise industry employment fair
Companies that work around Victoria’s cruise-ship industry will be holding a job fair Feb. 24 to find people willing to work in the business this summer.
Job seekers are urged to bring a resumé to Western Stevedoring (185 Dallas Rd.) at Ogden Point between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day. The fair is being organized by the Victoria Cruise Industry Alliance, which estimates there were 800 jobs created in the city as a direct result of cruise ships in 2017. Companies such as Victoria Pedicab, Butchart Gardens, Wilson’s Transportation, Orca Spirit and CVS Tours are expected to be recruiting new talent for their workforce.
B.C. tech advocate to help boost federal funding
British Columbia has appointed its first innovation commissioner to advocate for the province’s technology sector in Ottawa, Washington state and abroad. Alan Winter will take on the newly created role for one year, with an option to extend his job based on performance.
Premier John Horgan said Winter’s role would create opportunities for technology companies and shepherd innovation across all industries and regions in the province.
Winter’s appointment is part of the May 2017 confidence and supply agreement between the NDP and the Green Party to support the technology sector.
Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver said Winter’s position is designed to help British Columbia companies tap into existing federal programs.
Winter is formerly president of the non-profit organization Genome B.C.
He said in a statement that his first priority will be championing Canada’s so-called digital technology supercluster, a B.C.-led industry consortium of various high-tech companies.
