Agreed that the OP doesn't understand how the upgrade systems work. Not a complete solution, but if the OP was willing to leave YVR a bit earlier and connect through YYZ there is some upgrade award space available on AC 108 according to EF. The YYZ-YOW segment would be in Y but that's a pretty short hop and OP would be in YOW only 24 mins later than AC188.

Unfortunately the friend should have looked at booking a J award ticket rather than booking an X and then trying to upgrade. Even if friend does have altitude status the window for eups isn't yet open and would require an add-on.