This is Vancouver

Vancouver is buzzing amid news that German legend Thomas Muller is joining the Vancouver Whitecaps. But what might Muller bring to the team? What can fans expect? We hear from Peter Czimmermann of the Vancouver Southsiders and longtime Whitecaps commentator Peter Schaad.

A city motion meant to support Vancouver’s arts scene has been watered down, according to some local artists. We speak to a local comedy venue owner and an architect about the hurdles artists face and what real support would look like.

Vancouver’s deal to host seven World Cup matches comes with more than just global attention. From rules around branding to beautification, we look at what the city agreed to and what it might mean for locals. Stephen Quinn speaks to the CBC’s Laurence Watt and SFU urbanist, Meg Holden.

Your connection to the issues and stories facing people across Vancouver. Host Stephen Quinn is your guide. Episodes drop Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A string of deadly intimate partner violence cases in B.C. has sparked urgent calls for change. Stephen Quinn speaks with a city councillor and a UBC researcher about why the system is failing and what change could look like. 

One year after the “Don’t Look Away” report called for an overhaul of B.C.’s child welfare system, questions remain about whether enough has changed. We speak to B.C. Conservative critic Amelia Boultbee about what her party would do differently.

Despite the federal promise of $10-a-day childcare, Surrey families are struggling to find spaces. Longtime advocate Rhea Hubbard talks about what's making the system harder to access and what needs to change.

David Suzuki says the fight against climate change may already be lost. If that's true, what comes next for Canada and the world? Stephen Quinn explores those questions with Suzuki and climate policy expert Seth Klein.

The chief justice of the British Columbia Supreme Court has written a notice to let people know about upcoming disruption.Chief Justice Ron Skolrood says all criminal trials that were to take place in Vancouver, Abbotsford, Chilliwack and New Westminster during the FIFA World Cup next year will have to be rescheduled.Premier Eby says disruption can be expected with an event that will bring millions of people to B.C. But others feel the province should be better prepared.For more we are speaking with the B.C. Conservatives Attorney General Critic, Steve Kooner on this episode of This is Vancouver.

After more than four decades of learning and sharing the stories of the Stó:lō people in the Fraser Valley, Sonny McHalsie is retiring. But the places remain, and the field work continues by others who work at the Stó:lō Research and Resource Management Centre.And although he's retiring, in this episode we learn that Sonny McHalsie still has a lot of stories left to learn and share.

Industrial land may not be a flashy issue, but it’s central to B.C.’s economy. It's so important that some companies are moving operations due to a shortage of that land in Metro Vancouver. The CBC's Caroline Chan explores the extent of the issue and what it means for local jobs.

Son of Air India Flight 182 victim and RCMP counter-terrorism specialist Susheel Gupta talks about the bombing of 40 years ago and how it influenced his mission at the RCMP.

It's been 35 years since the landmark Sparrow Decision — a legal case that reshaped how Canada recognizes Indigenous fishing rights. Lawyer Aaron Wilson, a relative of Bud Sparrow, joins Stephen Quinn to reflect on its lasting impact in the Lower Mainland and beyond.

Surrey businesses say extortion threats are on the rise. But what’s driving the crime and what will it take to effectively address the problem? Stephen Quinn hears from Police Chief Norm Lipinski, food-bank founder and entrepreneur Jay Minhas, and former public-safety minister Kash Heed.

From discounted train tickets to dumpling trails and Shakespeare in the park, we're exploring how tourism leaders are inviting locals to experience the Lower Mainland. We hear from Tourism Richmond, Tourism Squamish, and Bard on the Beach. 

It was a plan that was supposed to meet the needs of West Vancouver residents' growing interest in pickleball. But the redevelopment plans of a skate park in Gleneagles have pitted the needs of pickleball players and skateboarders against one another, leading to a failed motion at a West Vancouver council meeting this week. Our CBC News story producer Alan Regan joins us with more.

An emergency room doctor is suing Fraser Health, alleging unsafe conditions and efforts to silence staff at Eagle Ridge Hospital. CBC investigative reporter Michelle Ghoussoub explains why Dr. Kaitlin Stockton is speaking out. Plus, we hear reaction from the president of Doctors of B.C.

Vancouver City Council has rejected a motion to revive the city's renter office — a service once dedicated to helping tenants navigate their rights. Councillor Lucy Maloney explains why she pushed to bring it back and what’s at stake for renters now. 

The province announced a new initiative that will help fund more resources for police around B.C. to tackle street crime and disorder. Guest host Lyndsay Duncombe speaks to Landon Hoyt, the executive director of Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Association which covers the Downtown Eastside. He says this is only part of the solution.

As Vancouver hosts the Web Summit, Indigenous leaders are pushing the boundaries of innovation. Stephen Quinn speaks with three changemakers bringing Indigenous wisdom into the world of AI, infrastructure, and startups.

Metro Vancouver’s regional government is facing growing scrutiny after a $3.86 billion wastewater project went off the rails. So what would it take to make the system work better? Stephen Quinn speaks with Metro Board Chair Mike Hurley and former B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt about the calls for change.

Vancouver has a new top cop. Chief Constable Steve Rai steps into the role with decades of experience — and big challenges ahead. Sergeant Steve Addison of the VPD joins Stephen Quinn to talk about what’s next for the city’s police force.

It's the time of year that school districts are approving their budgets for next year. But many are seeing a shortfall. Story producer Caroline Chan spoke with stakeholders about why that is.

UBC graduate Brendan Liaw talks to Stephen Quinn about competing on Jeopardy and what it meant to him.

Vancouver city councillor Peter Meiszner put forward a motion to put up a permanent sign at Canada Place that bore the city's name. City of Vancouver staff released a report detailing the costs to install and maintain, which adds up to more than $300,000 and $50,000 per year to maintain. Along with contributions from private partners, the overall cost of the sign is between $550,000 to $1 million.

B.C Ferries is ramping up for another busy long weekend and summer to follow. We hear from ferry goers at the Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver. Then, we speak with Gibsons Mayor Silas White about a meeting with Premier Eby over ferries. Lastly, Stephen speaks with Diana Mumford, a Sechelt resident and former Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee chair, about the new summer schedule.

A former Ontario attorney general has been appointed to help fix issues in the Downtown Eastside. But his role as a consultant is raising questions. He was installed in the position in February with little public announcement and a six-month contract worth $150,000. We speak to Conservative MLA Trevor Halford and First United’s Amanda Burrows about his appointment.

Former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson is back in the spotlight — this time as Canada’s new federal housing minister. But critics say he helped drive up housing costs in Vancouver. So can Robertson help fix the crisis on a national scale? Urban design professor Patrick Condon weighs in.

With 28 new residents arriving every day, Surrey is on track to become B.C.'s largest city. However, its school board is warning of deep cuts and overcrowding. We talk to the board chair about budget shortfalls, the impact on students, and what's being done in response. 

A second fire at Silverlynn Apartments has displaced dozens of North Vancouver seniors, just as some were preparing to return after a previous blaze. Host Stephen Quinn speaks with District of North Vancouver Mayor Mike Little about what comes next — and why the need for affordable seniors housing has never been more urgent.

For the first time in history, the Catholic Church has elected a pope from the United States. Pope Leo XIV, born in Chicago and shaped by missionary work in Latin America, now steps into a global role. Archbishop J. Michael Miller of Vancouver joins Stephen Quinn to discuss what it means for the Church.

We hear more about a CBC News investigation into an overdose death at a supportive housing facility in Surrey, where the woman's body was not discovered for 11 days. And the family was only informed of that weeks later. Stephen talks to Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon about the case and and what steps the province is taking to stop people from dying in care.

Jodie Martinson from CBC BC's Investigative Unit details a series of overdose deaths at the Foxglove building complex care site in Surrey, where a woman was found 11 days after her death.

Stephen talks to vice president Melissa De Genova about what considerations the Italian Day Festival is taking security-wise after the tragedy at the Lapu-Lapu Festival last month.

Water restrictions are in effect in Metro Vancouver as climate change is making dry and wet periods less predictable. Linda Parkinson with Metro Vancouver Water Services talks about what they're forecasting. Meanwhile, there's been increased wildfire activity across B.C.'s northeast with several new incidences popping up near Prince George. Chair of UBC Centre for Wildfire Coexistence, Lori Daniels talks about why we're seeing so many active fires at this time of year.

MLA Mable Elmore was one of the first people on the scene after a driver allegedly drove his vehicle into a crowd last Saturday at the Lapu-Lapu Festival in Vancouver. 11 people were killed and more were injured. She reflects on the events and how the community is coming together. Stephen Quinn also talks to registered clinical counsellor Devine Calanog about dealing with grief especially in light of such a big tragedy.

In the aftermath of the fatal incident at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival, Mayor Ken Sim is pushing for changes to mental health care and bail laws. Stephen Quinn talks to Jonny Morris of the Canadian Mental Health Association and Adam Dalrymple of the BC Crown Counsel Association about what those changes might bring.

Questions are being asked to officials about how a 30-year-old Vancouver man fell through the cracks in the mental health system to allegedly commit a deadly act of violence, killing 11 people with his vehicle at the Lapu Lapu Day Festival in Vancouver on Saturday. Stephen Quinn talks to B.C. Conservative mental health critic and former RCMP officer, Eleanor Sturko. We also go to a press conference with Vancouver mayor Ken Sim who provided some new details about the attack and said he city needs to find a way to keep people safe when a mental heath issue becomes a public safety issue and wrapped things up with CBC reporter Chad Pawson.

CBC reporter Jon Hernandez speaks to friends of some of the people who were killed on Saturday at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in Vancouver. So far, a school counsellor in New Westminster and a family-of-three have been identified when a vehicle drove into a crowd at the festival, killing 11 people and sending dozens to hospital.

11 people have been killed and dozens injured at a popular Filipino street party in Vancouver. Thousands of people were on hand near Fraser Street and 41st Avenue in South Vancouver for the Lapu-Lapu Day street festival. We hear an eye witness account of Saturday's tragedy and hear how the community was impacted.DISCLAIMER: This podcast contains graphic details that may be disturbing to some listeners.

A TikTok video about a violent incident at the Vancouver seawall went viral—prompting renewed public attention and a police response. VPD’s Sergeant Steve Addison explains the timeline of the investigation and addresses speculation around police conduct.

Vancouver City Council has approved the development plan for the First-Nations-led Jericho Lands project. OneCity councillor Lucy Maloney explains what’s in store, how the city plans to balance growth with livability, and why this project is about more than just buildings.

A senior Vancouver police officer could face demotion after admitting to harassment. The CBC’s Jason Proctor explores what accountability looks like in law enforcement.

We set up a card table and asked voters in Burnaby Central a simple question: what matters to you? Here’s what they told us.

A proposal to implement parking fees at some community centres has been sent back to staff by Vancouver's Park Board. For more on that, we're joined by the chair of the Vancouver Park Board, Laura Christensen.

UPDATE: Since we published this story, we've identified a factual error in our conversation, and received an update from the Park Board. Please see our April 17th podcast for the most up-to-date information.Some Vancouver community centres and parks may start charging for parking this summer. Critics say it could hurt access for seniors, families, and low-income residents. We talk about those concerns with two community leaders.

A long-discussed plan to turn a grocery store lot into an apartment building is being put towards Vancouver City Council. Zakir Suleman, an advocate from a group that has been fighting it for years, joins to talk about what's next.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to end expansion of supervised consumption sites and invest in treatment. But what would that mean for the Lower Mainland, where overdose deaths remain high? Stephen Quinn speaks with two experts about the politics and realities of drug policy in B.C. 

A veteran Vancouver police sergeant has been demoted and suspended after admitting to sending sexualized messages to colleagues and students. CBC investigative reporter Jason Proctor explains what happened. Plus, we hear reaction from Angela Marie MacDougall of the Battered Women’s Support Services.

The Surrey School District says it is pausing school trips to the U.S. amid safety concerns. The district says it is pausing new trips to the U.S. and cancelling any upcoming trips that are not fully paid for or planned. Shawn Gallacher ran a company that organized school trips abroad for 38 years, and explains the value these trips bring to students' education and school experience.