You mention about checking bags (or not) but nothing about whether you need to check in for your DL flight. Will your DL flight be on the same ticket as AC flight? MCT int'l-US if on one ticket is 90 minutes. Your bags should be checked through without need to reclaim if on one ticket (I don't know if the other *A partner at origin will check through on separate tix). YVR was one of the first airports in Canada to have the video screen monitors for the US agent to bring up your bag to avoid physically reclaiming bags.

I've not done a transborder connection in YVR in quite some time, but last time I went through there was no GE for connecting pax (only YVR originating), so your companion will not be at a disadvantage compared to you.

If you can book it all as one ticket, I say go for it. It'll be up to airlines to get you to your destination if there are issues.