This is Vancouver

Vancouver hosted a global tech conference this week, called Web Summit. Revelations were shared, plans were made and high level discussions were had. In today's edition of This is Vancouver, we run down the event with the CBC's Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy. And this week they are joined by CBC business journalist Kyle Bakx. 

This is Vancouver takes you out to the high seas today, or at at least from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay — a route that, at one time, could have meant rough waters. The CBC's Johanna Wagstaffe takes us inside the high-tech command centre where the call is made on when to cancel a ferry sailing due to bad weather. And then we'll hear a ferry tale of yore... before bad weather made the decision to travel for you.

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has linked the murders of a 16-year-old and an 18-year-old to the ongoing gang conflict in B.C., much of which has played out in Surrey. We hear from Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke about resourcing at the Surrey Police Service. We also hear from Kal Dosanjh. He's worked in law enforcement for decades and personally knew one of the victims through his foundation, KidsPlay. 

Civic elections across the province are still months away, but we're getting more of an idea of who will run for mayor in Lower Mainland cities.

To be fair, we know someone who has collected a lot of data on Vancouver renters and homeowners. And all of that information is gathered in the Homes of Tomorrow survey by Rennie Intelligence, a Vancouver-based real estate, marketing and brokerage firm. We take a deep dive into that survey with Elaina Cowley, Rennie's senior product development manager. 

Forty years later, we take a look back on the legacy of Vancouver hosting the world. Stephen reminisces with Claude Richmond, the province's minister of tourism at the time. We hear from Canadian photographer Michael de Courcy about the 2,000 photos he took at the world's fair. And our Fraser Valley reporter looks back at the opening of the Coquihalla Highway.

Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver and Spanish Banks in Vancouver have raised their parking fees for the summer of 2026. And now people have to pay much more for parking than then they did a few years ago.But why are all these parking hikes happening? Could there be a backlash to bumping up beach fees? And what does it say about how we treat our access to some of the most beautiful places in Metro Vancouver? Metro Matters columnist Justin McElroy also examines the simmering issues between Vancouver City Council and the Park Board.

Last week, after years of study and extensive public input, North Vancouver city council voted unanimously to move ahead with a 20-year plan to transform Lonsdale Avenue into a "Great Street." Sandy James is a former Vancouver city planner and the current managing director of Walk Metro Van. She talks about what makes a great street.

A major retail space in downtown Vancouver has been empty since Nordstrom closed in 2023. Now, Simons plans to move in, marking its first store in the city and its second in B.C. So what kind of retailer is Simons, and why expand into Downtown Vancouver now? Amy Bell speaks to President and CEO Bernard Leblanc about the strategy, the timing, and what shoppers can expect.

The Township of Langley is borrowing heavily to build parks, roads, and more — all at once. Mayor Eric Woodward says it will save money and improve services, whilt critics say it’s a risky bet with long-term costs. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy break down what's happening and discuss whether other municipalities will take notice.

One year after the Lapu-Lapu Day attack, Vancouver’s Filipino community is gathering to reflect, heal, and remember. Some say it’s too soon to host another event, while others see the activities as a meaningful step forward. We hear from organizers, police, and artists about grief, safety, and what comes next.

The Vancouver Whitecaps have called this city home since 1974. But concerns are growing that the club could relocate to another city. So - how severe are the challenges? And could the club really leave Vancouver? We hear from sports journalist Simon Fudge and Vancouver Southsiders member, Peter Czimmermann.

Vancouver’s three left-wing parties have agreed to cap the number of candidates each will be running in the upcoming civic election. They say the goal is to replace Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC majority on council. Stephen and Justin look at their agreement and what it means ahead of October's local elections. Plus, could Major League Baseball actually come to Vancouver?

It’s been 10 years since B.C. declared a public health emergency over toxic drug deaths. But the crisis is still claiming lives every day. We hear from Health Minister Josie Osborne and addictions expert Gabor Maté on what’s working, what isn’t, and what comes next.

Doug McCallum explains what's driving him to put his hat in the ring, once again, at age 81. And, what do Surrey residents think? Two community advocates break down what issues will be driving their votes in the upcoming municipal election.

CBC’s Justin McElroy breaks down the complaint, investigation and sanctions processes behind the B.C. government’s mandatory code of conduct for local elected officials. He discusses concerns surrounding the amendments and its effectiveness in handling dysfunctional municipalities.

Easter weekend travel brought long waits, cancellations, and frustration for passengers across the South Coast. Sailings are back to normal now, but communities are still looking for solutions to address the chronic problems facing the service. In this episode, we hear from travellers, politicians, and the ferry workers' union. 

A busy Easter weekend turned chaotic for BC Ferries, with cancellations, delays, and long lines across the South Coast. Stephen Quinn speaks with CEO Nicolas Jimenez about what caused the disruptions and what needs to change before the next travel rush.

Sometimes, city councils in B.C. have to decide things as specific as whether a single property owner can have one more dog. Justin McElroy reports on how Chilliwack council turned into a People’s Court-style debate.

In September, former Vancouver mayor Larry Campbell was appointed Downtown Eastside adviser by the province. He was tasked with convening and co-ordinating partners in the struggling neighbourhood, in order to improve the quality of life for people living and working there. We're checking in with organizations on the ground to see how he's doing, and we'll hear from Larry about what he plans to do now that his contract has been extended another six months.

Some international students say they’ve been approached by organized crime groups that want to recruit them for extortion-related crimes. In this episode, Stephen Quinn looks into how these interactions happen, how students respond, and what it means for safety in the Lower Mainland. We also hear from UBC student Mohkam Singh Mallik who shares what he’s hearing from students on campus.

A proposal for a floating sauna near Vancouver’s Maritime Museum is drawing pushback from some Kitsilano residents. We look at why this idea has people divided, and what it says about how the city uses its waterfront. Plus, a look at Burnaby’s quiet but shifting election race, as key councillors step aside.

International student numbers are falling fast — and schools in the Lower Mainland are feeling it. In addition to that, a new federal report suggests the system meant to manage them isn’t working well. Thousands of potential rule breaches were flagged, but only a small fraction were investigated. Stephen Quinn looks at what’s driving the decline, and how schools and governments are responding.

Multiplexes are spreading across Vancouver as the province pushes for more housing. Supporters say it will fix the “missing middle,” but some residents argue these buildings present numerous challenges, including concerns around privacy and parking pressures. Stephen Quinn speaks to Stephanie Hungerford and Bryn Davidson about what’s happening and how it could reshape the city’s streets.

Vancouver council just rejected two major housing projects, breaking a pattern that rarely changes. So why now? And what does it mean for the upcoming election? Plus, Stephen and Justin talk about a fight over lifeguard cuts and who’s really in charge at the park board.

A murder case leads to a strange discovery inside the Vancouver Police property office. Two key phones don’t match, and a note hints at something bigger. CBC’s Jason Proctor explains what Project Loyalty found — and why the case is still unresolved.

With less than 90 days to go, Vancouver is getting ready to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. But it's not the first time Vancouver has welcomed the world for a major event. So what can the city learn from Expo 86 and the 2010 Olympics? Does Vancouver feel ready this time? In this episode, Stephen Quinn and Zameer Karim speak to former Vancouver mayor Mike Harcourt, who led the city during Expo 86, and former city councillor Andrea Reimer, who was in office during the 2010 Olympics. 

There are rumours that an aging community centre on Vancouver's east side could be the site of a deal between the Vancouver Canucks and the City of Vancouver for a practice facility. Justin McElroy and Patrick Johnston from The Province join Stephen Quinn to talk about how possible the plan is.

Vancouver city councillor Sean Orr is suing Mayor Ken Sim for defamation after Sim said Orr handed out illegal drugs on Christmas Day — a claim Sim later apologized for. But how does a defamtion lawsuit work? What might it entail in this case? Defamation lawyer Daniel Coles joins us for that discussion.

Longtime Vancouver journalist Frances Bula spent decades covering city hall. Now she wants to sit on council herself. Stephen Quinn speaks with Bula about why she’s making the jump into politics, and Justin McElroy breaks down what it could mean for the next municipal election.

Several major decisions are about to land at Vancouver City Hall. Council will debate a long-awaited city-wide development plan, revisit Ken Sim’s push into cryptocurrency, and face new questions about the future of the downtown Aquatic Centre. Stephen Quinn speaks with CBC reporters Justin McElroy and Karin Larsen about what’s coming up and why it matters.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is apologizing after accusing Councillor Sean Orr of handing out illegal drugs on Christmas Day — a claim he now says he never verified. But the apology has raised new questions. Where did the accusation come from? Why did the Mayor repeat an unverified claim? What does this mean for trust and relations at city hall? Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy break down how we got here and what could happen next.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is apologizing after accusing councillor Sean Orr of distributing illegal drugs — a claim Orr denies. Sim repeated the same apology to reporters but would not say why he made the accusation or where it came from. We break down what happened, what the city’s code of conduct says, and what could come next.

A video is making the rounds that shows Mayor Ken Sim accusing Councillor Sean Orr of handing out illegal drugs. Orr strongly denies that allegation and critics say the claim may break city rules. In this bonus episode, we talk to Councillor Orr about what happened and what could come next.

A controversial video posted by Vancouver councillor Lenny Zhou sparked backlash this week. In it, he accused fellow councillors of drug use and dealing — claims he later apologized for and withdrew. Stephen Quinn speaks with Justin McElroy about what happened, what could come next, and what this says about trust and tone at city hall. In the second half of this epieosde, Stephen and Justin discuss how the mayor’s race is taking shape in Richmond.

Extortion attacks have hit cities across Canada, including now Vancouver. Meanwhile, newly obtained records from immigration hearings are shedding light on the suspects, their alleged connections, and how these cases stretch across provinces. Stephen Quinn talks to CBC reporter Jason Proctor about what he uncovered.

It's a question some Black and mixed folks hear often: Where are all the Black people in Metro Vancouver? The CBC's Ashley Moliere looks into why that question comes up, what the numbers actually show, and how Black communities in the region are growing and connecting in 2026.

Why is a push to repurpose the Pattullo Bridge gaining buzz? And will Vancouver’s left-leaning parties join forces to challenge Mayor Ken Sim in the next election? Those are two questions about very different local topics. Stephen Quinn talks with Justin McElroy about the viral campaign to keep the Pattullo open, and the political push to unite parties on the left in Vancouver.

The province just released its new budget. Finance minister Brenda Bailey says it’s about "stepping back from many of the things we’d like to do and focussing on what we have to do.” To that end, the budget has sparked a lot of debate. But what does it mean for communities in the Lower Mainland? Stephen Quinn loks at what's set to change and why it matters.

The Pattullo Bridge is being town down after nearly 90 years. We look at why it closed, what it meant to locals, and what the new Stalewasem Bridge brings instead. 

A school promised for Olympic Village is close to approval after decades of delays, yet some residents still oppose it. Justin McElroy breaks down why it’s taken so long and what the fight is about. We also look at a big result in the OneCity mayoral race and what it means for local politics.

Vancouver will host seven matches at the FIFA World Cup, but politics are creeping into the picture. City councillors want clarity on whether U.S. immigration agents could be present, while some fans worry about travel rules and rising tensions south of the border. We break down the odds, the unknowns, and what it all means for the tournament here at home.

Forty years after Expo ’86, a large stretch of False Creek waterfront remains undeveloped. We look at Concord Pacific’s housing proposal, the rising cost of removing the viaducts, and why those delays matter for housing, Hogan’s Alley, and Chinatown. Later in the pod, the audit of 16 land sales by the City of Vancouver has found the City could not demonstrate that it got the best price from those transactions. The report also raises significant questions about whether Councillors were properly informed by staff about these high-value deals. We speak with the city of Vancouver's auditor general Mike MacDonnell, and former Vancouver City Councillor Geoff Meggs.

After a catastrophic flood in 2021, the federal government promised to help protect Abbotsford’s Sumas Prairie. But years later, Ottawa was accused of inaction and failing to prevent a similar disaster. And now, local politicians are travelling to Ottawa to find out what happened and call for more support. 

Three men have arrested in connection with an extortion-related shooting in Surrey have now been charged. Meanwhile, concerned residents are holding protests to raise awareness about the rise in extortion-related incidents. Some are calling on the federal government to do more to tackle the violence. Jodi Martinson hears from residents and local politicians about what should happen next.

Vancouver councillor Pete Fry has entered the mayoral race. In this bonus episode, host Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy look at why he’s running, his priorities for the city, and the risks of a split vote. 

With the 2026 Vancouver election approaching, Mayor Ken Sim is beginning to frame his case to voters. This episode looks at his stated priorities, recent polling, and the themes likely to dominate the campaign.

A four-month closure on East Broadway is adding new pressure to businesses already strained by years of subway construction. Restaurant owners say they are losing revenue, but the provincial government say direct compensation is not on the table. So how did we get here? What are the potential solutions? What might happen next? We hear from restaurant owners, residents, the Mount Pleasant BIA and the provincial government. 

Extortion threats and shootings continue to shake Surrey, with dozens of cases reported in January alone. Stephen Quinn hears from residents, a criminal defence lawyer, an MLA, and Mayor Brenda Locke about calls for tougher laws, why city council wants federal emergency powers, and what it will take to stop the violence. 

TransLink is planning its next big transit project. It wants to create dedicated bus-only lanes for corridors around the region. But can this plan succeed where other transit ideas have failed? Stephen Quinn looks into that question and more with Justin McElroy.