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.

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?

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.

The Park Theatre was set to close — until a group of filmmakers,= stepped in to save it. Stephen Quinn speaks with Vancouver directors Zach Lipovsky and Chris Ferguson about the history of the theatre and why they stepped in to save it. 

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim’s plan to create a new housing corporation was blocked at City Hall — even though his ABC team had more votes. Municipal Affairs Reporter Justin McElroy breaks down what happened, why both sides are blaming each other, and what it means for the city’s next big budget fight. Plus, a conversation about the election campaign beginning in B.C.'s 4th largest city. 

The Vancouver Park Board has voted to add new parking fees at several community centres. Some residents say the change will make recreation less accessible. Park Board Chair Laura Christensen joins Stephen Quinn to explain the decision.

A B.C. Supreme Court ruling has recognized Cowichan Tribes’ Aboriginal title to a stretch of land in Richmond — leaving some homeowners uncertain about their property rights. Richmond’s mayor explains what’s next and B.C. Conservative leader John Rustad shares his reaction.

With one year to go before the 2026 municipal election, many Metro Vancouver mayors are already deciding their political futures. Justin McElroy spoke with all 21 of them to find out who’s planning to run again—and who’s ready to call it a day. Stephen Quinn breaks it down on This Is Vancouver.

We look at whether a the peace deal between Hamas and Israel can hold and how local communities most affected by the tragedy in the Middle East are feeling optimistic. 

World leaders gathered in Egypt to witness the signing of the first phase of a ceasefire deal.

UBC political science professor Michael Byers is optimistic that this ceasefire will hold. 

Jewish Federation of Vancouver president Ezra Shanken told the CBC's Jason D'Sousa the ceasefire is bringing some hope to the Jewish community. And Nariman Ajjur describes what she lived through in Gaza and what her family has experienced since 2023.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Vancouver, bringing seven games, major upgrades, and big expectations. CBC’s Laurence Watt and Zameer Karim join Stephen Quinn to launch The Pitch: Vancouver’s Road to the 2026 World Cup and explore what it will take to get the city ready — from BC Place renovations to the broader challenges of hosting a global event.

Overtime pay for Vancouver police has jumped more than 50% in three years, with some officers making six figures on top of their salary. Reporter Liam Britten joins host Stephen Quinn to break down the numbers, the political pressure on Mayor Ken Sim, and what it could mean for the city’s budget.

Vancouver’s mayor wants a zero per cent property tax increase in 2026, but that means cutting $100 million from the city’s budget. We hear from councillors and our municipal affairs reporter about the proposal.

The provincial government has announced that Surrey and Prince George will be getting 100 new involuntary care beds. Premier David Eby says there's a huge urgency to expand access to beds close to communities. We hear from Surrey city councillor and mayoral candidate Linda Annis, and Prince George councillor Trudy Klassen who have been calling for involuntary beds for their communities. D.J. Larkin and Kora Debeck question its effectiveness and B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne give us an idea of what the plan will be to expand this service.

Vancouver councillor Rebecca Bligh is officially running for mayor, while fellow councillor Pete Fry is weighing his own political future. Host Stephen Quinn talks with CBC’s Justin McElroy about what these early moves say about the race, the stakes, and the political chatter coming out of the UBCM conference. 

B.C. MLA Elenore Sturko was abruptly removed from the Conservative caucus just hours after party members voted to keep John Rustad as leader. We hear from Sturko herself and fellow MLA Linda Hepner about Rustad’s leadership — and what this all means for the party’s future.

A proposed 27-storey tower in the West End is stirring debate among neighbours worried about traffic and high-rises. City councillor Sarah Kirby-Yung joins us to talk about balancing the concerns of residents with the need for more hotel rooms.

Stanley Park’s future is back in the spotlight with a new mobility study. The plan looks at ways to improve access while reducing congestion. We hear from critics and supporters about what it all means for Vancouver’s most iconic park.

Vancouver Police say District 5 is coming to the Downtown Eastside. Stephen Quinn speaks with Superintendent Gary Hiar about what this change means as a major crime-reduction project comes to an end.

The Stanley Park miniature train is shut down this year and the Bright Nights fundraiser won’t be returning. Instead, the Park Board has approved a Harry Potter–themed trail walk. But not everyone is happy about it. We look at what the event means for the park, the fundraiser, and the community.

As more than 600,000 students return to class in B.C., teachers face fresh challenges. From managing cell phones to navigating new AI tools like ChatGPT, they share how they’re preparing for the year ahead.