Thanks yvr76. I appreciate the quick response.
I am OK with gate checking. My concern was really checking it at my origin and hoping it meets me at YYJ.
If you check it on your first segment ex-USA -> YVR, then you'd have to pick it up at the customs hall @YVR before proceeding. You'll definitely be better off if you can keep the bag with you on your first segment. Either way you will have to reclear security at YVR to the domestic terminal.