I don't live in Vancouver but I am both a landlord and an Airbnb host in different properties I own.
My Airbnb will never be available as a long term rental because its a home we bought to enjoy ourselves as a getaway space and Airbnb helps make it more affordable for us to do just that. Being a landlord (for me) is less enjoyable than being a host. It carries greater legal risk and potential for damage to my property. Though I try to be conscientious and kind, landlords often have tense relationships with tenants when operating costs require the raising of rents or the tenants behave in a way that violates the lease and a landlord must address it. With my Airbnb, guests are generally happy to be in the space and appreciate the effort put into it. They are on vacation and there to enjoy themselves. They see me as an ally instead of some kind of villain from a melodrama coming to collect their last penny for rent. That means a lot to me. Probably more than income.
I used to live in San Francisco which also had a housing crisis. I was a renter at the time. I am not without sympathy for how difficult that is. My solution was to move to a market that was more affordable and had more opportunities for me to actually own my own property. San Francisco is not the only city on earth, nor is Vancouver. I understand the appeal of both places-- they are such great spots that everyone and their sister wants to live there or visit. But there is a big world out there and lots of places with opportunity. I admit to having privilege in terms of education, but for many years I struggled working two and three retail jobs, trying to get my career off the ground. I had to relocate more than once, often to very expensive places where housing was difficult to come by. I know how it feels. Its been going on in some cities for decades.
But I am sorry-- I don't agree that property owners should forgo their own financial well being because the housing market is tough. If you own a place, I can't help but feel that you can do what you like with it within the law. If cities regulate against Airbnb so be it. It makes more sense that cities would find a way to tax it, to take advantage of the new income stream to pour into other infrastructure or programs. It seems short sighted to outlaw it when it could be so lucrative for an urban tax base. But if the citizens of a particular burg don't want it you have to respect that.
Personally, I think everyone has a choice. A choice of where they live. A choice of what they do with their own homes. And there has to be a way to strike balance.