This is Vancouver

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.