This is Vancouver

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.

Upstart & Crow, a creative studio and literary incubator, just announced Preeti Kaur Dhaliwal as their poet in residence for 2025. The former lawyer joins us to talk about what drew her to poetry full time.

Two progressive candidates won Vancouver’s by-election, but Mayor Ken Sim’s ABC party still holds council’s majority. Stephen Quinn speaks with ABC councillor Lisa Dominato about what the results mean—and how the party is interpreting the message from voters.

Vancouver has elected two new city councillors: Sean Orr with the Coalition of Progressive Electors and OneCity's Lucy Maloney. Stephen Quin sits down with Sean and Lucy to talk about their plans to represent Vancouverites.

A pilot program that helped vulnerable seniors age safely at home has lost its funding with just 11 days' notice. Whole Way House president Jenny Konkin joins Stephen Quinn to explain why the program matters and what happens next.

Retail theft is rising — and some Vancouver business owners are taking security into their own hands. Stephen Quinn hears from two shopkeepers on the front lines and explores the city’s new plan to tackle the problem: a retail security task force.

Premier David Eby calls it a “toxic” policy, and now it’s gone. Stephen Quinn speaks with former BC Green MLA Adam Olsen and Energy Minister Adrian Dix about what led to the NDP’s reversal on the consumer carbon tax—and what it means for B.C.’s climate future.

After a late-night vote, B.C.’s legislature has scrapped the provincial carbon tax. Katie DeRosa explains the politics behind the decision, and energy economist Mark Jaccard weighs in on what this means for your gas bill. 

One of Vancouver’s three standalone abortion clinics is closing after 35 years. What does that mean for reproductive health care across the province—and for patients who travel long distances to access it? Dr. Renee Hall, a physician at the Elizabeth Bagshaw Clinic, talks to Stephen Quinn about what’s at stake.

Transit riders are bracing for a bigger-than-usual fare hike this summer. Stephen Quinn talks to UBC transportation expert Alex Bigazzi about why the increase is happening, and what it means for the future of public transit in Metro Vancouver.

As the federal campaign heats up, The Current’s Matt Galloway kicks off his cross-country tour in Surrey. We drop in on a candid conversation with local voters to hear what’s on their minds—and what they want from Ottawa.

As Burnaby’s Michael Bublé gets ready to host the Junos, we meet another Burnaby musician who’s quietly transforming access to music. Joe Keithley — punk legend and city councillor — is making sure more kids can pick up an instrument. 

The Vancouver Aquatic Centre is overdue for a major upgrade—but a new plan to cut the pool in half is making waves. Swimmers, coaches, and community groups are pushing back. Stephen Quinn speaks with Jeannie Lo, President of the Canadian Dolphin Swim Club, about why a 50-metre pool matters.

Former Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson is back in politics—this time as a federal Liberal candidate. Stephen Quinn asks him why he's running and how he feels about carbon tax cuts and pipelines.

With a federal election on the horizon, some voters in Vancouver might find themselves casting their ballots in a different riding—whether they realize it or not. CBC’s Carolyn Jack joins host Stephen Quinn to break down the changes to electoral boundaries and what they mean for you.

With an election on the horizon, Prime Minister Mark Carney is talking about Canadian sovereignty—but what does that mean for Indigenous communities? Host Stephen Quinn speaks to Kory Wilson, Val Napoleon, and Melanie Mark to explore how these conversations land with First Nations leaders.

The Fraser River waterfront in Surrey around the Pattullo Bridge is mainly industrial land, but City Council is exploring whether to change that. They've approved a feasibility study for the creation of a new entertainment district. For more, Stephen spoke to interim CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade, Indra Bhan.

A big land deal in Powell River is making history—giving the Tla’amin Nation back a major piece of its ancestral territory at the tiskwat mill site. But how did this agreement come together, and what does it mean for the Nation’s future? Stephen Quinn talks to Tla’amin legislator Erik Blaney about the long road to this moment, why it matters, and what’s next for the community.

It can be confusing for consumers to identify which country products originate from. A Vancouver software developer has come up with an idea that he believes will simplify the process. Stephen Quinn spoke to the founder of isthat.ca on Friday's edition of This is Vancouver.

Vancouver indie pop band Peach Pit is nominated for Alternative Album of the Year and is slated to perform at the awards night March 30.

For the past year, CBC's municipal reporter Justin McElroy has been traveling around the world. He got back into Vancouver this week and the first thing he had to do was come into studio to talk about it.

In less than four weeks, Vancouver residents will get to vote in a by-election to fill two seats on city council. We talk with Cambie Report podcast host, Matthew Naylor, and political consultant, Maria Dobrinskaya about why municipal politics matter.

Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie was kicked out of the B.C. Conservative caucus on Friday over comments she made during an appearance on a video podcast, which party leader John Rustad characterized as mocking the testimony of residential school survivors. Rustad spoke to Stephen Quinn on Monday's episode of This is Vancouver about the road ahead for the party, which is now down to 41 seats in the Legislature.

When you imagine an electric vehicle, what comes to mind? Is it a Toyota Prius? A Tesla? Maybe it's the bus you ride every morning. The first image that pops in your head is probably not a pickup truck. But a Richmond company is working to change that. Stephen Quinn speaks with one of the people behind it on this episode of This is Vancouver.