IN THE KNOW:
Randy Wright helms new seaplane service
Seair Seaplanes, led by Randy Wright, former president of Harbour Air, is launching a new Victoria-to-Vancouver harbour service, introducing fresh competition to the regional seaplane market.
Wright, who brings decades of experience from Harbour Air, is spearheading strategic expansion efforts for Seair, aiming to capture part of the popular coastal travel market.
The new service will offer an alternative to Harbour Air’s existing routes, which currently carry over 500,000 passengers annually across North America’s largest seaplane fleet.
Harbour Air remains the largest seaplane airline in North America with a fleet of 42 aircraft and over 500,000 passengers annually, but Seair’s new service under Wright’s leadership aims to capture some of that market share by offering alternative travel options between key coastal hubs.
Seair’s Vancouver-Victoria flights begin October 20.
Ocean startup pitch competition opens applications
COAST has announced it is now accepting applications from early-stage ocean technology entrepreneurs across Canada – with a focus on startups in B.C – for its annual Pitchfest competition.
The event will take place in person on October 29 at the COAST Ocean Innovation Hub in Victoria. Five finalists will present their innovative ideas to a panel of five judges for a $10,000 cash prize provided by sponsors Seaspan and Innovate BC.
The competition aims to support new ventures that contribute to the sustainable ocean economy, with priority given to maritime decarbonization and autonomous vessel safety technologies, though all ocean-related innovations are welcome.
The winner will also can meet investors immediately following the competition to advance their business growth. Douglas 10 to Watch alum Ocean AID won the competition in 2024.
Applications close on October 15, 2025, and startups in the pre-commercialization or prototype stage are encouraged to apply.
VIATEC issues call to join Victoria Tech Week
The South Island’s hub for local tech companies is hosting Victoria Tech Week from November 17 to 21.
Inspired by successful models from Boulder Startup Week, Seattle Tech Week and NY Tech Week, the new event adopts a decentralized format that turns Victoria into a city-wide innovation showcase, with dozens of events hosted by local companies in their own venues across the capital region.
Unlike traditional single-venue conferences, Victoria Tech Week empowers local businesses to open their doors and welcome attendees inside, offering an authentic behind-the-scenes look at Victoria’s thriving tech ecosystem.
From startup workshops in James Bay to AI panels in downtown office towers and networking sessions in Saanich tech hubs, participants will experience the full breadth of Vancouver Island’s innovation landscape.
“Victoria Tech Week turns our entire city into a stage for innovation,” said Dan Gunn, VIATEC’s CEO. “Instead of being locked in a single convention hall, people will be moving through neighbourhoods, stepping inside local companies, and experiencing the culture that drives our sector. It is a chance for the community to see what has been hiding in plain sight and for the world to see why Victoria’s tech ecosystem has more momentum now than at any time.”
As part of a series of events, VIATEC will host two anchor events.
Prompt Victoria: AI Conference is a full day of keynotes, panels, and workshops exploring the real-world impact of AI, with local and global voices sharing insights and practical applications.
Discover Tectoria Expo showcases interactive exhibits from tech companies, startups, researchers, and community groups.
The organization is encouraging others to join, by hosting an event that highlights their community or expertise, inviting others to submit their own tech-oriented events to the Tech Week calendar, or request to be invited onto the larger stages at Discover Tectoria.
Eby responds to U.S. lumber tariffs
The U.S. government has imposed new tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber and related products under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, citing national security concerns.
The tariffs include a 10% duty on softwood lumber imports and higher rates on wood products such as cabinets and furniture, taking effect October 14, 2025.
This latest tariff adds to existing anti-dumping and countervailing duties, pushing the total duty burden above 45%.
The U.S. administration claims these measures are necessary to protect the domestic wood industry and its national security interests. However, many in British Columbia and Canada view these actions as unjustified economic measures that unfairly target Canadian producers and strain bilateral trade relationships.
In response, Premier David Eby and Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar condemned the tariffs as an “economic assault” and emphasized that Canadian lumber has no connection to U.S. national security risks.
They highlighted that these tariffs will increase housing costs for American consumers and undermine jobs on both sides of the border.
The B.C. government has implemented a two-month pause on timber-harvest bill payments to help companies cope and is pushing for federal relief funds to protect workers and communities. Officials also stressed ongoing efforts to diversify markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific regions, while opposing the tariffs through diplomatic and legal channels.
In a statement released October 1, the provincial government said it would continue fighting for B.C.’s forestry sector and is considering all options to support its economy during these challenges.
Banner year for the visitor economy in Victoria
Destination Greater Victoria says 2025 has been the region’s best tourism season in at least a decade, with visitor numbers, hotel occupancy, and overall business performance reaching unprecedented levels. In August, hotel occupancy rates soared to 94.3%, up more than four percentage points over the previous year, while the season’s year-to-date rate settled at 79.9%, the highest since 2015.
Industry data shows the region now welcomes roughly five million visitors on overnight trips, day visits, and cruises annually, driving an estimated $1.9 billion in spending each year. U.S. and international visitors contribute a significant share of this total, with overseas guests spending nearly 144% more per person than domestic travellers.
Local businesses have also benefited, as the sector supports approximately 25,000 jobs and a broad cross-section of the local economy.
FROM THE PAGES OF DOUGLAS:
Skilled workers are in high demand. So are the training programs that hone their expertise.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
OCTOBER
October 2 – 3: 2025 4VI Vancouver Island Stewardship Summit
October 9: Victoria Chamber Business Leader Series (ICBC)
October 26 – 29: Ocean Floor Explore Conference
October 28 – 30: VIEA ‘State of the Island’ Economic Summit
NOVEMBER
November 15: Colourful Business Expo
November 18: Chamber Marketplace Mixer
Douglas Weekly brings local business news, insights and community spotlights to keep Victoria and Vancouver Island In the Know. Got a story tip? Email us.
