Justin McElroy: Searching for the Best Place on Earth

For years, Vancouver has topped global rankings as one of the world’s most livable cities, while BC is marketed as a paradise destination. But do our "world-class" city and province live up to the hype? In 2024, Vancouver journalist Justin McElroy embarked on an ambitious trip to visit 52 countries in 52 weeks, to answer these questions. In his new book Searching for the Best Place on Earth, he takes readers on his journey across the world, offering a fresh perspective on what makes a city truly exceptional. Justin will appear in conversation with fellow journalist Georgie Smyth. -- Justin McElroy is an award-winning journalist and municipal affairs reporter with nearly two decades of experience. Known for his keen insights and wry observations, he has covered local politics across BC for CBC News since 2015. He previously worked for Global News as well as the Province, and contributed to Maclean’s and NBC during the 2010 Olympics. His work has earned him three Jack Webster Awards, among numerous other provincial and national honours. Georgie Smyth is a CBC Network Reporter and Producer in Vancouver, who works on CBC's flagship nightly news and current affairs television program The National. Originally from Australia, she has spent more than a decade living and working abroad, including for BBC World News in London and for Nine News in Australia. Her reporting at CBC focuses on local, national and international stories that affect all Canadians. -- Accessibility: VPL is committed to making our programs accessible for all. If you have an access need that we have not addressed here, please email us at programs@vpl.ca. Elevator access to the Alice MacKay Room is available in the concourse near the bank machine. There will be designated spaces for wheelchairs and patrons with mobility devices. For more information on physical access, view the Accessibility information on the Central Library page.