This is Vancouver

<p>Your connection to the issues and stories facing people across Vancouver. Host Stephen Quinn is your guide. Episodes drop weekly.</p>

The messy politics behind the Filipino Cultural Centre

Virtually everyone in Metro Vancouver’s large Filipino community wants a cultural centre. The CBC’s Justin McElroy and Johna Baylon joins Stephen Quinn to talk about why the approval of one is proving so contentious, and the politics involved in cultural centres across the region. 

12-11
30:05

How will the Broadway street closure shape life in Mount Pleasant?

The Broadway Subway Project aims to fix a busy transit corridor - but efforts to build it have created new challenges. Since 2020, businesses and residents have faced noise and disruptions. Now some fear an upcoming roadway closure could make things worse. We hear from people in the community about what daily life is like and what could happen next. 

12-10
24:45

Why couldn't the Hastings Racecourse survive?

The Hastings Racecourse has been part of Vancouver for more than a century. Now, the operator says thoroughbred racing will end because of major funding changes. Stephen Quinn speaks with historian Aaron Chapman and the Vancouver Humane Society about how we got here and what the change means for the city. 

12-09
16:18

Vancouver’s 2026 mayoral election becomes more crowded

This week, Vancouver’s next mayoral election added one more candidate and one more political party. CBC’s Justin McElroy joins Stephen Quinn to talk about who’s in the race now — and if there is danger of the left-wing in this city splitting the vote.

12-04
28:23

Which international teams could Vancouver host at the World Cup?

With the FIFA World Cup draw taking place this week, the CBC's Laurence Watt and Zameer Karim break down how the process works and explain which teams could be facing Canada on home turf. Plus, we'll ask Vancouver city councillor Mike Klassen who's on the hook for the ballooning budget at the new venue that will host the FIFA Fan Festival. 

12-03
20:59

What’s behind the record number of overdose calls?

Vancouver firefighters answered a record 54 overdose calls in one day in November. Stephen Quinn speaks with front-line responders and overdose prevention workers about what’s driving the surge, what’s changing in the drug supply, and what still isn't working. 

12-02
19:43

“No Fun City” returns as Vancouver fireworks cancelled

Vancouver’s Celebration of Light fireworks festival has been cancelled, and organizers are blaming increased costs and decreased government funding CBC’s Justin McElroy joins Stephen Quinn to do a little fact checking — and to explore the culture behind one of Vancouver’s most infamous nicknames 

11-27
30:17

Mayor Ken Sim on Vancouver’s 'zero-means-zero' budget

Vancouver has passed a budget with a freeze on municipal property taxes - and $50 million for police. Stephen Quinn speaks to Mayor Ken Sim about what the budget really means for life in Vancouver.

11-26
19:17

How did Aritzia become a retail giant - and what should we expect from its new store?

Aritzia is taking over the old Nordstrom space on Robson with a new flagship store. Stephen Quinn hears from customers, a retail expert and stylist about how the company grew, why this move matters, and what it might mean for the city. 

11-25
19:13

Fact checking Ken Sim’s interview on the VPD budget

In a series of interviews, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has defended his city’s cuts to arts and culture while boosting the VPD budget by $50 million as necessary. The CBC’s Justin McElroy joins Stephen Quinn to talk about what he’s said in those interviews — and does a little fact checking. 

11-20
38:43

With soccer becoming more popular in Vancouver, where are kids expected to play?

Interest in soccer is expected to skyrocket next year with seven FIFA World Cup games being held in Vancouver in2026. However, the North Vancouver Football club says it is already struggling to find space for youth players to train. So what will they do when demand for the sport increases? The CBC's Zameer Karim speaks to Stephen Quinn about the demand for soccer in Metro Vancouver and the challenges facing local sports groups.

11-19
19:56

Why is Mayor Ken Sim's budget so contentious?

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is defending a 23-page draft budget that’s drawing pushback. Councillor Pete Fry says the plan lacks key details while some residents are concerned about cuts to services. Stephen Quinn speaks to Mayor Sim about what’s in the budget and what's missing.

11-18
24:08

Will the province take over West Vancouver’s housing policy?

West Vancouver is falling short of its mandated housing targets — and the province is warning it might take action. The CBC’s Justin McElroy joins Gloria Macarenko to talk about what’s behind the standoff and what it means for housing supply in Metro Vancouver. 

11-13
35:41

How excited are soccer fans about the Vancouver Rise playing in the first-ever Northern Super League final?

Stephen looks forward to the upcoming Northern Super League final between the Vancouver Rise FC and AFC Toronto. He speaks to NSL founder Diana Matheson about about the innaugural season and what is needed for the popularity of the league to continue to grow. Stephen also talks to Mel Bostrom from the Vancouver Rise supporters group, the Crow Collective as they get ready to travel to Toronto for Saturday's final.

11-12
15:15

What's behind Vancouver's latest SRO closure?

Tenants at a social housing building in Vancouver's Granville Entertainment District have been told they need to move out by June. We hear from a resident, the nonprofit that runs the building, and B.C. Housing Minister Christine Boyle about why the closure is happening and what it means for the people who live there. 

11-11
20:07

Mayor Ken Sim talks budget with major cuts and $50 million more for police

Vancouver’s draft budget comes with spending cuts, a tax freeze, and a major boost to police funding. Justin McElroy joins us to unpack his interview with Mayor Ken Sim, the pushback from councillors, and what this means for voters next year.

11-06
26:12

Is Vancouver finally getting a Filipino cultural centre?

The 2025 federal budget is finally here - and it affirms support for a proposed Filipino cultural centre in Metro Vancouver and other local community projects. We talk to Vancouver MP Taleeb Noormohamed about the budget, how much funding is available, and what it means for Lower Mainland communities.

11-05
09:24

Is more policing the answer to Surrey’s extortion problem?

Surrey’s extortion problem is growing, and it’s not just a public safety issue — it’s affecting the local economy too. We speak with radio host Jinny Sims and longtime advocate Anita Huberman about how this is affecting daily life, whether police alone can fix it, and what real solutions might look like.

11-04
17:50

With the West Coast Express turning 30, what's the future of light rail in Metro Vancouver?

What is the easiest way to get from city to city without a car? Well, if you lived in Europe or much of Asia, the answer would be obvious: a train. But in Metro Vancouver, it’s not that simple, even with our single passenger train service, which this week is turning 30 years old. On the Thursday edition of This is Vancouver, we dive into Metro Vancouver politics with Justin McElroy. Today, our main theme is regional transportation: why is it so limited here? What are the challenges to make it better? And could you one day take a train to Abbotsford, Chilliwack or Squamish?

10-30
29:36

How are Vancouverites coping with rising grocery prices?

From food banks to smaller grocery baskets, working families are finding ways to get by as food prices keep climbing. The CBC’s Alison Cole has been speaking to shoppers, experts, and food bank leaders to explore how food inflation is reshaping daily life across the Lower Mainland.

10-29
11:08

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