Vancouver's main problem with attracting top-level talent is pay. I live in Vancouver but don't really work much here anymore (mostly remote now) because of pay. The article focusses on the high cost of housing, though in practice renting isn't too bad (particularly if you're happy living in a sardine can or someone's basement).

I have had serious job offers here at less than 1/3 of my usual rate. I've been told that what I'm looking for (what I'm already getting for remote work) is director or C-level. "There's much more to consider than compensation" is a reasonably common excuse from recruiters, but the fact of the matter is that if you are trying to hire competent senior engineers for $30/hr, of course you're going to lose out to places that are paying amounts that are above a living wage.

Vancouver's okay, for sure, but being the self-proclaimed "lifestyle capital of the world" only carries weight if you get a good work-life balance, and can afford to do the things that you want to do.