https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/ubc-skytrain-cut-and-cover-tunnel-construction
Of course backwards Vancouver would have to take a backseat to Toronto & Montreal. However, even Edmonton, Calgary & Seattle were able to have a university station long before Vancouver-UBC.
https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/tunnel-boring-machines
https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=UBC-Broadway+Corridor
https://jfdatalinks.blogspot.com/search?q=Metrotown-North+Shore+Rapid+Transit+route