Canada's Top Small & Medium Employers (2025) - Flipbook - Page 60
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CANADA'S TOP SMALL & MEDIUM EMPLOYERS (2025)
Pacific Coastal gives employees career lift-off
J
osh MacDonald was a little
nervous when he applied
for his first job at Pacific
Coastal Airlines because he
didn’t have any experience in the
industry. But from the minute he
got the position, the company gave
his aviation career wings.
“I have definitely felt supported
from the moment that I started
at Pacific Coastal Airlines,” says
MacDonald. “It’s been a great
journey.”
Pacific Coastal Airlines has
been helping both customers and
employees on their journeys for
nearly 40 years. Headquartered in
Vancouver, it flies from 18 airports
in British Columbia, serving communities from Victoria to Masset.
Its nearly 350 full-time employees
include flight crews, maintenance
workers and administrative support personnel.
MacDonald started out as a
flight dispatcher and is now senior
manager, commercial operations.
He and his problem-solving team
develop the flight schedules
and deal with maintenance and
mechanical challenges as well as
staffing issues. As a person with
paraplegia, he says Pacific Coastal
had no problem transforming the
building he works in to be more
accessible, installing new doors
and other features that assist him
and others with mobility issues.
A commitment to accessibility,
inclusivity, diversity and a people-first focus is deeply woven into
Pacific Coastal Airlines culture,
says Darcy Coonfer, vice president
operations.
“Pacific Coastal recognizes that
people are our greatest asset, and
if the people are happy then so are
the customers,” says Coonfer.
“You take care of your people,
the people will take care of the
customers. Really, it’s that simple.”
Pacific Coastal supports its
employees with a comprehensive
suite of benefits that include training, enhanced wellness programs
and travel. MacDonald says professional development also takes
place every day on the job with
all employees working together to
teach and mentor each other.
“There’s a great sense of camaraderie amongst the team which
helps, and we support each other,”
he says.
“The heart of Pacific Coastal
is the people — they’re special. What sets us apart is our
company culture of respect and
collaboration. There’s a commitment to excellence here that
creates a work environment that
really helps employees thrive.”
Pacific Coastal’s commitment
to the communities it serves also
motivates MacDonald and his
fellow employees to go the extra
mile. The company provided 140
donated flights in 2024, including
getting people from a remote
community to the hospital and
rescuing injured animals like
orphaned bear cubs and sea lion
pups. The sense of service inspires
MacDonald and his team.
“HERE, YOU TRULY DO KNOW EVERYBODY BY NAME AND
YOU KNOW THEIR STORY. THEN YOU BECOME A PART OF
THEIR STORY. THAT’S PRETTY COOL.”
— Darcy Coonfer, Vice President Operations
Josh MacDonald, senior manager, commercial operations, at Pacific Coastal Airlines with his dog, Denim.
