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Your connection to the issues and stories shaping life in Metro Vancouver. Hosted by Stephen Quinn, with new episodes every Tuesday and Wednesday, plus a Thursday dive into city politics with Justin McElroy.
246 Episodes
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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.
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