Why has it become a formidable task to book an affordable hotel in Vancouver BC two weeks in advance? [closed]

I have been trying to find a hotel online in Vancouver BC two weeks in advance (for July 17) and web sites are showing 85% of rooms are taken, leaving only rooms in the $240-$550 per night range, most of them out by the airport or in other remote places.

I checked the Vancouver BC events calendar, and all it shows is a charity regatta raising money for Easter Seals...

Six or so years ago and before there seemed to be abundant hotels in Vancouver BC, available for more like $50-80. I get that there may be inflation and variation but this seems extreme. So now that we have a supposed recession, the whole city is full of travellers and many are paying 2-6 times as much per night? What's going on?

Might it be useful to telephone hotels to book directly? Are the web sites charging finder's fees, so they only give some of their rooms to the sites?