Seven mainstream parties in Vancouver offered competing proposals for the city’s economy, including permitting changes, property-tax targets and approaches to local business supports.
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Vancouver is presenting a slate of proposals for its economy ahead of the civic election, with parties focusing on issues including jobs concentrated on a small share of land, pressure on commercial and industrial rents, and the impact of higher construction costs and slower development progress.
The information summarized plans from Vancouver’s seven mainstream parties, drawing from news conferences, press releases and party websites.
OneCity Vancouver proposed modernizing rules for home-based businesses by creating legal pathways for residents to run low-impact operations from home, and it said the plan would support caregivers, newcomers, disabled residents, artists and freelancers. It also called for allowing more corner stores and small neighbourhood shops in residential areas, with priorities near schools, parks, transit and seniors’ housing, and for establishing “common sense rules” for noise, waste, accessibility and hours of operation.
OneCity Vancouver said it would simplify approvals for small cultural and community venues such as rehearsal rooms, art studios, galleries and community kitchens, and treat “maker spaces” as part of a healthy neighbourhood. It also said it would streamline permitting for pop-ups and temporary uses of vacant storefronts, plazas and libraries, and have city staff report back within one year with an “Enabling the Neighbourhood Economy Action Plan.”
Vote Vancouver proposed a “small business concierge” to help with permits, regulations and city processes, and said it would use technology and simpler processes to cut permitting delays. It also proposed making child care part of Vancouver’s economic strategy by creating new child care facilities on underused city land and competing to bring more major events to the city.
Vote Vancouver also said “City-owned storefronts shouldn’t sit empty while businesses, artists, and community organizations need space,” and proposed opening vacant city commercial spaces. It added that it would establish an arts council with greater independence from city hall and keep property tax increases in line with inflation.
ABC Vancouver proposed scaling Vancouver as a hub for technology companies, and said it would implement a zero per cent property tax increase in 2027. It also said it would make city hall permitting faster and easier and rebuild the Vancouver Aquatic Centre with a 50-metre pool.
ABC Vancouver said it would revitalize Granville Street and its pedestrian zone, and establish what it described as a “new era” of cooperation between the City of Vancouver and major events, along with a new funding model. It also proposed removing pay parking at beaches and community centres and ending residential parking permit fees.
Green Party of Vancouver proposals included an economic resilience and local procurement strategy called “Buy Vancouver, Build Canada,” using the city’s nearly $800 million in annual purchasing to support Canadian businesses. It also proposed reinstating community benefit agreements on major development projects and prioritizing B.C. mass timber and wood-frame construction in city projects.
The Green Party said it would modernize city procurement to recognize Canadian value in areas including technology, software, data, intellectual property, food and clean energy. It also proposed creating a Business Navigator Service as a dedicated point of contact for small businesses, and it outlined plans to cut red tape, lower permit costs and speed up approvals.
TEAM for a Livable Vancouver proposed creating the Vancouver Economic Development Agency, described as an independent, arm’s-length organization aimed at attracting investment and head offices and supporting local businesses. It also proposed a $4-million revitalization fund to restore historic storefronts and strengthen independent businesses on neighbourhood shopping streets.
TEAM also said it would diversify Vancouver’s economy beyond real estate development by supporting sectors including technology, life sciences, critical minerals and mining, film and digital media, and tourism. It described its approach as supporting a “diverse and thriving economy” where businesses can start, stay and grow.
Vancouver Liberals said it would reinstate the Vancouver Economic Commission and cap property tax increases at inflation, while justifying increases. It also proposed lowering property taxes for family doctors’ offices and hiring 400 unionized frontline workers for service delivery.
The Liberals proposed creating an Industrial Land Reserve and establishing an Artist Land Reserve in four locations across the city. They also said they would allow small-scale shops, cafes and restaurants in areas zoned for residential, and offer simple, low-cost permits for pop-up shops and markets.
COPE proposed a “Buy Vancouver” policy to encourage sustainable circular economic systems in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. It also said it would prioritize local producers for city procurement and protect local shops and restaurants while taking on large business oligopolies that it said threaten local businesses’ ability to function.
COPE proposed supporting right-sized retail by requiring a mix of commercial unit sizes in new developments and limiting oversized street-front retail on key corridors. It also outlined plans to create a “Vancouver Local Business Office,” support worker co-ops, protect local businesses by pushing changes to commercial tenancy agreements, and expand “libraries of things” and “circular economy” initiatives that repair and recirculate goods.
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