Thanks everyone for helping first - I have asked several people at CP (including Exec Plat desk) and I have gotten different answers everytime.

In early August, I might be accompanying my 74 year old aunt to Honolulu from London, UK. She is carrying my late-uncle's ashes on a last round-the-world journey before his last resting place (which will be in Sydney, Oz).

My aunt carries a Taiwanese passport. To enter Canada, she needs a Canadian visa. But the question here is that she does NOT want to go through the hassle of getting a visa (long story, don't ask. Something about initially offered Landed Immigrancy and she DECLINED).

Anyway, a Canadian Airlines employee friend from Toronto told me that she can transit through Vancouver airport without a visa because it is an International to International connection. Honolulu passengers are not precleared US immigration / customs as it is considered an International destination.

But everytime I ask a CP agent about this - I have received totally different answers. Some say that she needs to pre-clear customs (which I know for a fact that you don't - imagine those people going to Australia), some say she will be escorted through, and some say - just go get the visa. (Yeah, some people do have 'problems' when they apply). She will be travelling on the non-stop flight from London (LHR) on CP 91 which departs LHR (on Sat) at 1705. Arrival at YVR at 1830. The connecting flight from YVR departs at 2005 on CP 133.

So all you guys and gals, who know YVR airport. Please find out if she can go through YVR airport without going through Canadian immigration and customs. She'd prefer not to go through customs too (the urn is 24K, if you know what I mean).

She is going on CP (because of my points). And she HATES US airlines so I'd prefer she stick with CP. The Exec Plat desk is helpful but are stumped by this question. They seem to have only people connecting from HKG to US destinations or vice versa. Actually if you think about it, it's exactly like a USA - Asia connection. So if you have transitted through YVR airport from the US to Asia, I'd like to know your feedback too.

Thanks for your help !