Via Todd, here’s a handy wiki of free Vancouver Wifi sites:
Vancouver has a vibrant independent cafe culture, though it’s easy to be discouraged from seeking it out. Persistent rain, boring coffee chains, and expensive wifi services leave many laptop users to dwindle in their homes and offices. This directory is an attempt to bring together all of the area’s great cafes, community spaces, and the like that offer free wireless internet.
There are two cafes in the bottom of my building (at Richards and Pacific)–Zodiac and a crepery–who have unsecured wifi. They don’t advertise it, but the owners don’t mind if you use it.
DarrenBarefoot.com 
Thanks for the link – this will definatley come in handy as I continue to look for spaces to work outside of my tiny cubby in the sky.
BTW – the new Starbucks on Beach and Denman doesn’t have wifi (as expected) BUT you can usually connect to one of many unprotected networks in the area closest to Denman street.
wiki link appears broken