Aug 2 - New flights to Vegas coming to YYJ

Good morning !

Geez, I hate to rain on their parade because I’m all for discount airlines getting us from A to B as cheaply as possible. But it seems Flair—which just announced new flights to Vegas—is No.1 when it comes to Canadian carrier complaints, according to our federal air transportation regulator.

Flair received twice as many complaints from January to March as WestJet, and almost four times as many as Air Canada, says the Canadian Transport Agency [CTA].

— Mark

🌤️ Today's weather: Mainly sunny. High 24C / low 13C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10), no smoke expected.

NEWS

Discount airline to offer direct flights from Victoria to Vegas

Pack your bags—Flair Airlines has announced new direct routes from Victoria to Las Vegas, running twice weekly. The flights will begin taking off next February—so maybe hold off on packing for a few months.

Known for its cheap flights, Flair is offering trips to Sin City from YYJ for as little as $39—although this doesn’t account for additional costs such as bag check and seat selection, so don’t be shocked if the final price is higher.

The carrier has been eyeing Victoria for direct routes for some time, according to Flair CEO Garth Lund.

“Victoria is an important market for us and one that we would like to keep growing as we move forward,” Lund said, adding the Las Vegas routes will help Flair to gauge demand for flights directly to the Island. “If we see success [with Las Vegas] then we would absolutely love to replicate that with more routes.”

Flair also has added direct domestic flights out of Victoria to places like Calgary, Winnipeg and Toronto—just as Swoop Airlines closes this fall.

If you’re willing to deal with the extra trek to Vancouver in lieu of direct options, Flair also announced direct daily routes to Cancun out of YVR starting at $169, beginning in late October.

Capital Bulletin

🐾 Cougar sighting in Colwood near the 490 block of Regency Place on Mon. evening.

🦌 Public input wanted on Sidney Island deer cull: Parks Canada plans to eradicate invasive European fallow deer to help restore native plant species on the Island.

FOOD

New breakfast place opening downtown

You soon will have another option for breakfast and brunch in Victoria.

OEB Breakfast Co., a Calgary-based breakfast chain, has announced it is opening an eatery at 856 Yates St.

OEB has several locations across Canada, including in Toronto and West Van, and others in California and Arizona. It’s known for sourcing locally, farm to table.

Passersby on Yates have noticed OEB graphics and pictures on the building’s windows—but no mention of when the restaurant will open.

The company website shows a picture of Victoria’s Inner Harbour, and indicates the new restaurant will be “hatching soon!”, a play on the many eggs it no doubt will crack once the doors swing open.

When it does hatch—or open—diners can expect an interesting and mouth-watering array of breakfast selections including lobster and shrimp crepes and specialty poutines.

OEB also has an exceptional drink lineup, which includes specialty coffees, classic cocktails, wine, and mimosas.

Read more at Tasting Victoria.

Capital Picks

🎻 Isidore String Quartet at Phillip T. Young Recital Hall: The winners of the 2022 Banff International String Quartet Competition will perform today at UVic’s recital hall. Pre-concert talks 7:15pm, show starts 7:30pm.

🩰 Early Bird Nutcracker: Capital Daily readers save up to 20% off adult tickets to Ukrainian Shumka Dancers’ Nutcracker until Sep. 30! Use promo code: Nut-Capital-Daily at Royal and McPherson Theatres or 250-386-6121.*

🎙️ The Aerialists at Butchart Gardens: The Juno-nominated, neo-folk group that combines Scottish Gaelic, Norwegian, and Irish folk traditions will perform tonight on the open-air stage, 8pm.

🎤 Vic Punk & Metal Show: This free outdoor Eventide music series show in Centennial Square will feature performances by White Collar, Altered Dead, Disposal, and more. 5:30-9:30pm.

🎵 Intrepid Theatre music bingo fundraiser: To raise funds for the theatre company’s 2023 Fringe Festival, it’s hosting a music bingo event at The Fernwood Inn tonight, 7-10pm.

⚾ Victoria HarbourCats vs. Nanaimo NightOwls: The teams meet in Victoria’s penultimate regular-season home game. First pitch at The Wilson's Group Stadium at Royal Athletic Park is at 6:35pm.

*Sponsored Listing

In Other News

🖥️ BC health-workers’ union hit by cyberattack
The data breach was on three websites hosted by the Health Employers Association of BC. Personal information associated with 240K email addresses may have been seized. HEABC says information obtained may include social insurance numbers, home addresses, passport and licence details, and other personal data. [CBC]

🎧 DJ party affected fragile ecosystem at Cattle Point
A UVic environmental instructor says he found cigarette butts, broken bottles and a lot of the soil compacted from human contact. He also pointed to the cultural significance of the area as a Lekwungen site of mourning and remembrance. [Times Colonist]

🧹 Victoria council considering money for downtown facelift
Under the Business Facade Beautification Reimbursement Program partnership with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, $100K could be used to spruce up buildings’ exteriors. This is to be discussed at tomorrow night’s city council meeting. [CHEK]

🪙 New loonie designed by Tofino artist
Claire Watson designed the newest loonie in circulation, featuring Elsie MacGill, the first woman in Canada to earn a degree in electrical engineering and first in North America to get her master’s in aeronautical engineering. Watson’s detailed design shows the plane MacGill crafted flying beside her. [Victoria Buzz]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Vice President, Deals at Tenzing

• Patient Care Coordinator (4 days/wk) at Oaklands Dental

• Front Desk Administrator at Oaklands Dental

• Payroll Clerk at The Butchart Gardens

• Server at Revera Inc.

• Mid to Senior Software Engineer at SingleOps.com

• Inclusion Support Worker: School-Age Program at Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group

Looking for more openings? See 50+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

In Case You Missed It

💰 Victoria mayor says councillors can’t decide own salaries: Mayor Marianne Alto says when a council salary review returns in the fall she will ensure councillors’ pay won’t change until after the next election. [Times Colonist]

🎶 Righteous Rainbows of Togetherness perform a holiday weekend Sunday night set at VEC along with DJs Leanne, Thom Banks, Löblová and Daniel James.*

🚧 Store street closed between Pandora and Swift until Aug. 4., so workers can disassemble a large construction crane.

📰 Tuesday’s newsletter: Saanich petitions province for mental-health measures, Ditidaht members blanketed at Duncan mural unveiling, French Beach reopens, and more. [Aug. 1]

🤝 BC port workers’ labour dispute appears to be over: The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada and BC Maritime Employers Association say a tentative deal has been reached. [CTV]

*Sponsored Listing