This is Vancouver

For five weeks, the World Cup brought a new energy to downtown Vancouver. But now the crowds are gone, and questions are mounting about what it all meant. What was the public cost for hosting seven games? What does the future of Granville Street look like? And which stories flew under the radar? We discuss that and more in this episode of This Is Vancouver. 

With less than three months before local elections the race is opening up. Perfect time for Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy to stir the pot. This episode is the first of two exclusive candidate mini-forums. Stephen and Justin interview the three main progressive candidates running for the city’s top job: Pete Fry, Stephanie Allen and William Azaroff.

The province has changed how new housing is approved in cities — but public hearings are still sometimes required and regularly tense. Justin McElroy and Stephen Quinn talk about Vancouver's most recent public hearing, and how they've evolved. 

Vancouver council has just weeks to vote on major housing plans, a new downtown tower and other key issues before the election campaign begins. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy break down the biggest decisions ahead and the latest twist in the fight over the Vancouver Park Board.

The cost to keep the Granville strip car-free through Labour Day weekend breaks down to about $700,000 per week. Justin McElroy and Liam Britten break down the why of those numbers with Stephen Quinn.

Lawrence Bishnoi, the leader of the Bishnoi gang, has been charged along with dozens of others, while 24 suspects linked to two other India-based criminal organizations have been arrested, across Canada, the U.S. and Europe in connection with Operation Hard Ball. 

Vancouver council approved a six week extension of the popular car-free Granville strip last week — but will it work when the World Cup is over? Justin McElroy and Stephen Quinn break down the big debate it's caused.

Local politicians are acting like influencers, doing short-form videos and talking to strangers with tiny mics. But why? Justin McElroy breaks down the latest trends in politicial comms with Stephen Quinn.

Vancouver City Hall has lost several senior, non-partisan staff in recent months. Stephen Quinn and Justin McElroy look at what we know, what we don’t, and why some councillors say the departures should alarm the public.

Critics say a new plan for the province and federal governments to work together to acquire and convert empty condos amounts to nothing more than a bailout for developers. In this episode, we ask developers what they think. And B.C.'s Housing Minister Christine Boyle defends the plan.