Open For Business

Making Life Easier for Businesses

We are committed to fostering a thriving business environment by simplifying processes, reducing barriers and providing the right support for companies to grow.

Empowering Businesses for Success

By supporting entrepreneurs, cutting red tape and streamlining regulations, we’re helping businesses save time and resources, allowing them to focus on innovation and growth.

Established the new in-house Business and Economy Office, which prioritizes the City’s support for the local economy.
Began updating our Industrial Zoning to protect our valuable Employment Lands and encourage the expansion of Tech Clusters and Hubs in the city.
Extended the Development Potential Relief Program (DPRP) pilot program to 2024. Vancouver is the first and only municipality in BC to launch a DPRP program, which provides tax relief for independent businesses and community partners.
Approved the modernization of the City’s home-based business regulations.
Advocating for an Inter-Municipal Business Licence for home healthcare workers.
Established the Indigenous Economic Prosperity function within the Indigenous Relations Office to support Indigenous-owned businesses.
Directed staff to explore opportunities to enable the operation of outdoor cold plunges and saunas.

Supporting the Hospitality Sector

We want the City to play a big role in helping our hospitality businesses succeed.

Established a new hospitality working group to address longstanding policy issues.
Approved a number of Dual License Applications to support restaurants and liquor businesses.
Passed new liquor regulations to support liquor establishments by removing red tape and creating opportunities for new and existing businesses.
Exploring updates to grocery liquor retail store guidelines to allow for wine on-shelf sales.
Created and implemented the ‘Think Big’ Revenue strategy, and endorsed the Action Plan to support the expansion of revenue opportunities for the Parks Board, including partnerships with the business community.
Suspended enforcement of the maximum permitted floor area regulation related to brewery lounges for a period of two years to provide flexibility and opportunity for brewery operators.
Directed staff to prepare a report on The Interim Hotel Development Policy, to expand and encourage new hotels and hotel room supply, set new targets for the delivery and tracing of hotel rooms, and to report back on opportunities to expedite hotel proposals.
Exploring options to allow office buildings to be converted to pod hotels on either a temporary or permanent basis.

Creating a Vibrant Events Scene

We’re opening up our public spaces to allow for more community events and festivals, which foster local engagement, boost the economy and strengthen social bonds.
Lifted the moratorium on new commercial event initiatives in Vancouver parks to support more events, festivals and vibrancy and approved a number of new events.
Amended the Arts Events License Policy and relevant by-laws to increase the frequency of events allowed each month.
Participating in the Cultural Tourism Event Fund Partnership with PAVCO, Destination Vancouver, and the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association to support major events and festivals in the City and attract out-of-town visitors to Vancouver.

Enhancing Spaces & Places

Revitalizing communities can significantly boost local businesses by creating a more attractive, vibrant environment for customers, residents and entrepreneurs alike.

Opened a Civic Office in Chinatown, representing an integral link between the City and Chinatown.
Launched the Uplifting Chinatown Action Plan, which has included more than $3.4 million in grants to support this historic neighbourhood.
Approved the Chinatown Cultural District Framework to support economic and community development.
Approved the West End Community Hub Renewal Plan, which includes the long-term vision for the renewal of the West End Community Centre, Joe Fortes Branch Library and King George Secondary School.
Launched the Granville Street Planning program to help to re-establish Granville as an exciting, welcoming, safe and inclusive downtown destination.
Launched the Gastown Public Spaces Plan, which includes upgrades to Water Street and a pedestrian pilot program.
Launched the Villages Planning Program to create complete, walkable neighbourhoods across Vancouver.
Allocated funds to hire a Seniors Planner to ensure that planning reflects the needs of our Senior community.
Advocated for the creation of a Filipino Cultural Centre with senior government partners.

The Business of Government

We’ve taken significant steps to ensure that public resources are being used wisely. We want to operate with excellence and invest for the future.

Formed the Mayor’s Budget Task Force to identify efficiencies, duplications and revenue opportunities within the City budget.
Established the Implementation Oversight Committee, which will play a crucial role in guiding the implementation of the strategic recommendations made by the Mayor’s Budget Task Force.
Invited the City of Vancouver Auditor General to undertake a full audit of all operations, finances and facilities of the Park Board to make improvements.
The Vancouver School Board passed a balanced budget for the first time in 15 years.

Open for Business

We’re simplifying processes, reducing barriers and providing the right support for companies to grow.