Originally Posted by
YVR Cockroach
If you don't want a hassle finding where it is when you get back to the airport, I think it'll be safer to reclaim it at YVR and leave it with left luggage.
Agree with the above, and only want to add that, in YYZ, ask them just to check the bag to YVR. Then you can pick it up at the regular carousel (rather than the US-transfer carousel).