TRAVEL

Vancouver International Film Festival Kicks Off 2025 Edition

Published

7 months ago

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VANCOUVER, B.C. — The Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) officially opened on October 2, marking the start of one of Canada’s most celebrated cultural events. Running until October 12, the festival will showcase an ambitious program of around 260 films from across the globe, including premieres, independent productions, and critically acclaimed features. Organizers highlight VIFF’s role as a platform for international cinema and Canadian filmmakers.

Venues and Programming

Screenings will take place at iconic Vancouver venues, with new additions such as Granville Island Stage and the Alliance Française. Alongside the films, VIFF offers panels, workshops, and special events connecting filmmakers with industry professionals and the public. The festival emphasizes diversity, Indigenous voices, experimental storytelling, and emerging talent.

Cultural and Economic Impact

For Vancouver and British Columbia, VIFF is both a cultural highlight and an economic driver, drawing thousands of visitors and generating activity for local businesses. With its reputation as a bridge between North American and Asian cinema markets, the festival remains an influential stop on the global film circuit.

As the curtains rise on the 2025 edition, audiences and industry alike are set to experience another dynamic celebration of the art of film.

 

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BC NEWS

BC Ferries Braces for Record-Breaking Summer as World Cup Fans Surge Toward Vancouver Island

BC Ferries prepares for record summer ridership as World Cup fans arrive. Learn about new vessels, maintenance updates, and travel alerts for 2025.

Published

1 day ago

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May 14, 2026

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Managing Expectations Amid Rising Demand

BC Ferries is preparing for its busiest summer season on record, signaling a mix of optimism and realism as it faces the dual challenges of an aging fleet and a massive influx of international visitors. During a press briefing on Wednesday, officials acknowledged that while the system is operating at “peak output,” disruptions remain a possibility due to the sheer volume of travelers expected in the coming months.

The FIFA Factor and Global Tourism

The 2026 World Cup is set to be a major catalyst for provincial travel. With seven matches scheduled at BC Place starting June 13, Vancouver anticipates welcoming 350,000 spectators. BC Ferries executives noted that approximately 45 percent of these visitors are coming from outside North America, many of whom are expected to extend their trips to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Brian Anderson, VP of strategy and planning, admitted that while the exact impact of FIFA on marine traffic is unknown, the corporation is assuming significantly higher demand than previous years.

Operational Readiness and Maintenance

To combat the service disruptions that plagued the fleet earlier this spring, BC Ferries has completed a “highly coordinated” maintenance schedule. Twenty-two vessels underwent refits this year to ensure maximum availability. Additionally, the company has hired more than 630 seasonal workers to staff extra sailings. Melanie Lucia, VP of customer experience, emphasized that the focus is on reducing customer frustration through better communication, including new booking alerts for the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route and waitlists for the Comox-Powell River crossing.

Long-Term Solutions on the Horizon

While Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog expressed cautious optimism, calling the recent maintenance efforts a “positive step forward,” officials admit there is no quick fix for the system’s underlying issues. The long-term strategy includes the acquisition of eight new vessels over the next five years, which is projected to increase passenger capacity by 135 percent. For now, the ferry service is focused on rapid recovery whenever mechanical or scheduling issues inevitably arise during the peak 2025-2026 travel cycle.

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Health

Deadly Hantavirus Outbreak Strikes Atlantic Cruise: Three Dead, Others Critically Ill

Three deaths and several suspected cases of hantavirus reported on the MV Hondius cruise ship. Experts warn of a long incubation period as the vessel anchors.

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 4, 2026

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Fatalities and Suspected Cases on MV Hondius

The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a deadly outbreak of hantavirus aboard the MV Hondius, a polar expedition cruise ship currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde. Three passengers have died, and several others remain in critical condition following a journey that began in southern Argentina. The vessel, operated by Oceanwide Expeditions, completed its scheduled voyage on May 4, but remains in a state of medical uncertainty as local authorities coordinate screening and disembarkation protocols.

The Victims and International Response

Among the deceased are a Dutch couple; a 70-year-old man who died upon arrival at the British territory of St Helena, and a 69-year-old woman who passed away in a Johannesburg hospital after being medically evacuated. A third Dutch national has also been confirmed dead. Currently, a 69-year-old British national is fighting for his life in intensive care in South Africa. The WHO reports one confirmed case and five suspected cases among the approximately 150 tourists and crew members on board. The UK Foreign Office has stated it is monitoring the situation closely and stands ready to support its nationals.

Understanding the Hantavirus Threat

Hantavirus is primarily a zoonotic disease, typically transmitted to humans through contact with the saliva, urine, or droppings of infected rodents. While it is known for causing severe respiratory distress and high fever, human-to-human transmission is considered exceptionally rare. The appearance of the virus on a cruise ship—an environment more commonly associated with norovirus—has raised significant concerns. Microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles noted that the long incubation period, ranging from one to eight weeks, creates a difficult monitoring window to see if more cases emerge among those who have been sharing the vessel since it departed Ushuaia on March 20.

Current Status and Quarantine Measures

The MV Hondius is currently anchored outside the capital city of Praia. Despite reports that two crew members require urgent medical care, Cape Verdean authorities have yet to grant authorization for their disembarkation to local hospitals. Oceanwide Expeditions stated they are in “close consultation” with health officials to ensure safe screening and repatriation. This incident follows a high-profile hantavirus death in 2025 involving the wife of actor Gene Hackman, which previously brought renewed global attention to the dangers of the respiratory illness.

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business

Air Canada Cuts New York JFK Routes as Middle East Conflict Doubles Jet Fuel Prices

Air Canada suspends Toronto and Montreal flights to JFK through October as jet fuel prices double amid Middle East conflict and global energy shortages.

Published

4 weeks ago

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April 17, 2026

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Rising Fuel Costs Trigger Temporary Route Suspensions

Air Canada has announced the temporary suspension of its flight services from Toronto and Montreal to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The decision comes as the airline grapples with a dramatic surge in operational costs fueled by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. A spokesperson for the carrier confirmed on Friday that schedule adjustments were necessary to maintain fiscal responsibility during what is being described as an unprecedented energy crisis.

Impact of the Iran Conflict on Aviation

Since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran six weeks ago, jet fuel prices have more than doubled. This volatility has rendered several lower-profitability routes economically unviable. Starting June 1, Air Canada will pause one daily flight from Montreal and three from Toronto to JFK, with a tentative plan to resume operations on October 25. The airline has stated it will contact affected passengers to offer alternative travel arrangements, including rebooking on flights to nearby hubs.

Global Fuel Scarcity and Regional Blockades

The aviation industry is facing a broader systemic threat beyond individual route cuts. John Gradek, an aviation management expert at McGill University, noted that the current situation represents the worst crisis in the history of aviation. Despite a recent 10-day ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, the U.S. naval blockade on Iran remains in effect. The International Energy Agency recently warned that Europe may only have six weeks of jet fuel supplies remaining, highlighting the fragility of global supply chains when the Strait of Hormuz is contested.

Maintaining Connectivity Despite Capacity Cuts

While the JFK service is being paused, Air Canada emphasized that it will continue to provide robust service to the New York metropolitan area. The carrier still operates 34 daily flights between Canada and Newark Liberty International Airport as well as LaGuardia Airport. Other Canadian carriers are following suit, with WestJet recently announcing its own capacity reductions to manage the soaring price of oil. Industry analysts warn that if refining capacity in the Middle East remains compromised, consumers can expect further flight consolidations and higher ticket prices throughout the summer season.

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