Speaking of Vancouver... If you've never heard of this guy, check out some of his MP3 samples:
http://www.gayedelorme.com/

A lot of people compare him to Mark Knopfler, i.e. here's an example why:
http://www.gayedelorme.com/Music/Gay...A%20Sample.mp3

Sometimes Gaye sounds so much like Knopfler that you have to remind yourself it isn't, but he definitely has his own style too. Here's a beautiful tune by Gaye called Angelina which shows one unique aspect of his approach:
http://www.gayedelorme.com/Music/Gay...ina%20full.mp3

He also has a sort of classical side too which is also not unsimilar to Knopfler in some ways, but still unique. Check these out:
http://www.gayedelorme.com/Music/Gay...c%20Sample.mp3
http://www.gayedelorme.com/Music/Gaye/raphael.mp3

He's the real deal in terms of guitar playing and songwriting, I can attest to that as I've seen him live a couple times. He's from my hometown. A real character too, he even wrote a lot of material for the first Cheech and Chong album, including "Earache my Eye" which got picked up by rock band Korn as a cover tune a few years back. A genuine Canadian folk hero, definitely worth buying his albums. Beautiful Guitar is a "must have" album if you like acoustic guitar playing, I guarantee you won't regret it. The samples speak for themselves.

Rumor has it that Gaye once de-employed an underperforming bass player during a set break by saying, "OK everyone who still has a gig take a step forward, not so fast Bill..."