Business Communications and Support Office

COVID-19 and economic recovery information and resources

We recognize the difficulties to businesses caused by COVID-19 and are committed to helping them weather and recover from the crisis.

Review COVID-19 and economic recovery information and resources for more information on economic recovery and pandemic supports.

What you need to know

City services and programs to support businesses
Provincial and federal programs for businesses
Other organizations that support small businesses and non-profits
COVID-19 information and resources

How to reach us

Fill out our business support enquiry form

If you are a local business owner and need further information or assistance, contact the Business Communications and Support Office (BCSO) through the business support enquiry form.

The Business Communications and Support Office (BSCO) is a single point of contact for Vancouver’s local business owners to:

Learn about our services, programs, and initiatives to support businesses
Make suggestions to us about business and the economy
Request information and assistance
Get information about COVID-19 and economic recovery business supports, information, and initiatives

City services and programs to support businesses

Business Improvement Area (BIA) Program
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are specially funded business districts:
- The districts are managed by non-profit groups of property owners and business tenants whose goal is to promote and improve their business district.
- Vancouver has 22 BIAs.
- BIAs are active in their communities, promoting business, tourism, safety, and street beautification.
Our role

The BCSO helps local business groups to form BIAs. Once a BIA is formed, it is managed by a volunteer board elected by property owners and tenants within its boundary.

We are involved with:
- The annual funding process
- Monitoring BIA budgets
- Acting as a liaison between the BIA and our departments
Business guides
We provide information and resources for small business owners and non-profits on starting, running, and expanding a small business; often linking to external resources (for example Small Business BC).

Starting a small business

Review starting a small business to get information about:
- Planning for and registering a new business
- Financing a new business or a business expansion
- Registering and insuring your business and other useful tips to get your business going
- Finding a location, registering your business, and getting all necessary licences and permits to build or renovate
- Tax information
Operating a small business

Review operating a small business to get information about:
- Getting, transferring, or updating a business licence
- Exploring financing options and tax information
- Planning for emergencies, waste management, and insurance
- Information on commercial vehicle licensing and needs
Commercial Tenant Assistance Program

Review Commercial Tenant Assistance Program (CTAP), which provides resource guides in 6 languages for a variety topics on relocation planning and decision making for a variety of tenants having to relocate for any reason:
- Commercial tenancy basics
- Lease negotiation
- Finding a new space and relocate
- The redevelopment process and timing
- Navigating our permit and licences processes
- Glossary and links to additional supports and resources
Business permits and licences
Review business licences and permits for:
- The types of permits and licences a small business owner may need
- Where and how to submit applications
Different types of businesses (for example storefront, mobile, home-based) may have different requirements.

For more information, review business guides
Information on homelessness
Are you concerned about people experiencing homelessness in the neighbourhood of your small business?
- Download our resource guide (56 KB) for connections to local organizations who can provide support.
- Check in with your local BIA for a neighborhood-specific information.
Small business Commercial Renovation Centre (CRC)
We have established a small business Commercial Renovation Centre (CRC) to assist small businesses owners navigate the regulations, permitting, and procedures for moving, setting-up or renovating a business.

What the centre offers
- Permitting, licensing, and other requirements related to renovating your business
- Other City resources, programs, and touch points affecting small businesses
- Key resources and supports provided by outside organizations and agencies
Special Enterprise Program (SEP)
The Special Enterprise Program (SEP) is a five year pilot that aims to preserve and strengthen the cultural diversity, long-term viability, and economic opportunity of heritage businesses, social enterprises, and non-profit organizations in Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside.

Purpose of the SEP program
- Attract and prevent the displacement of heritage and community-serving businesses, cultural organizations, non-profit organizations, and social enterprises in the Downtown Eastside
- Enhance the capacity of the small business sector to adapt to the current business environment and improve operations
- Assist property owners (non-profit or for-profit with a social purpose) in activating their vacant spaces with businesses or other activities that align with permitted uses, current policies, and respond to community needs
Tenant Improvement Program (TIPs)
The Tenant Improvement Program (TIPs) is a dedicated stream for office tenants in eligible commercial buildings to get their building permit for minor interior renovations faster.

Benefits of the TIPs program

Having your building on the TIPS list lets your eligible office tenants complete their minor interior renovations quicker. As your building was designed and constructed to comply with the 2007 Vancouver Building By-law (or newer editions), your tenants will:
- Not require a new development permit
- Have a faster field inspection
- Receive their building permit faster than traditional building permit applications

Provincial and federal programs for businesses

Review elected programs to help small businesses hire staff, transition online, or participate in federal training programs.

Federal Apprenticeship Service Program
The Apprenticeship Service Program provides:
- Funding to organizations that work with small to medium sized employers (under 499 employees) in the skilled trades
- Help to support the hire of first-year apprentices and employers to help them take part in the apprenticeship program
Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)
Canada Digital Adoption Program provides:
- Grants to help small businesses digitize their business operations and get their businesses online to give their e-commerce presence a boost
- Funding and support to businesses
- Training and work opportunities for young Canadians
Two funding components of the CDAP
- Grow your business online :
  - For smaller, consumer-facing businesses, including those in service industries.
  - Grow your business online grants will help them adopt e-commerce technologies.
  - For-profit businesses, including co-operatives and social enterprises, are eligible for a $2,400 micro-grant.
  - Businesses must be registered or incorporated and have at least one employee.
  - Start your application with either the BC's service providers Small Business BC or Alacrity Canada .
- Boost your business technology :
  - The boost your business technology grant offers support to Canadian-owned small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who want to adopt new digital technologies.
  - Eligible businesses will have access to a marketplace of digital adoption experts to help them develop a digital adoption plan tailored to their needs.
Student Work Placement Program
The Student Work Placement Program works with employer delivery partners to coordinate with businesses and post-secondary institutions to:
- Provide wage subsidies to employers that offer student work placements
- Create partnerships with educational institutions to recruit students
Securing Small Business Rebate Program

Starting in fall 2023, the Province will support small businesses in recovering expenses incurred after experiencing property damage due to crime and vandalism, and to recoup expenses after taking measures to prevent vandalism.

The new $10.5-million Securing Small Business Rebate Program will be available on an application basis and retroactive to January 1, 2023. Businesses will be able to apply for as much as $2,000 per business for the cost of repairs due to vandalism, and up to $1,000 for vandalism prevention.

Full details still to come.

Review the news release

Other organizations that support small businesses

Review information on other organizations that help small businesses or have resources that are relevant to small businesses.

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT)
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT) :
- Is the business association for small and medium sized businesses in the Greater Vancouver area
- Advocates for their members on government policy and planning
- Provides leadership and educational programs
- Has a webinar series for members on different aspects of BC’s economy, trends in business, and on business related policy
Small Business BC (SBBC)
Small Business BC is a non-profit that offers many resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners, including:
- Business education webinars
- Guides on everything from business name requests to filing taxes
- "Talk to an expert" service that allows you to get all the answers you need from an accountant, lawyer, website expert, and more
Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business
The Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business provides:
- Business development services for Indigenous businesses
- Hosts regular events to educate, support, and connect their membership
Black Business Association of BC
The Black Business Association of BC provides programs and services to Black entrepreneurs and small businesses, including:
- Loans
- Accelerator programs
- Promotion
- Strategic support and trade and investment opportunities
South Asian Business Association of British Columbia
Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)
Pacific Economic Development Canada is a regional economic development agency that:
- Shares information on the BC economy
- Develops reports and plans to support economic policy
- Offers BC businesses support and funding
Immigrant Services Society
The Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSBC) :
- Aids immigrants in finding jobs in BC
- Runs the Career Paths for Skilled Immigrants Program, which helps connect immigrants to employers and education based on industry type
BC Chamber of Commerce
The BC Chamber of Commerce :
- Is the largest business organization in BC
- Provides advocacy, educational, and networking opportunities for business owners in BC
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) is “the bank for Canadian entrepreneurs” and offers:
- Loans,
- Advisory services
- Other articles and tours for helping start and run a business
Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC)

The BIABC promotes the BIA movement in British Columbia. It is the provincial champion of strong, vibrant, and successful downtowns, main streets, and commercial districts throughout our province.

The BIABC provides unique networking opportunities, access to marketing campaigns to help businesses succeed, assists with renewal efforts, hosts annual conferences and regional strategy meetings, enables member sharing through regular electronic newsletters, and is a leader in social media coverage.
Other organizations that help small businesses

COVID-19 information and resources
Review COVID-19 and economic recovery information and resources for information about COVID-19 and economic recovery initiatives, including:
- Provincial reopening plan and protocols
- Operating guidelines for businesses
- Our initiatives to support businesses
- Federal, provincial, and other organization COVID-19 business supports
- Our services operational updates
- Labour force survey memos to Council

Business Communications and Support Office

COVID-19 and economic recovery information and resources

What you need to know

How to reach us

City services and programs to support businesses

Business Improvement Area (BIA) Program

Business guides

Business permits and licences

Information on homelessness

Small business Commercial Renovation Centre (CRC)

Special Enterprise Program (SEP)

Tenant Improvement Program (TIPs)

Provincial and federal programs for businesses

Federal Apprenticeship Service Program

Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP)

Student Work Placement Program

Securing Small Business Rebate Program

Other organizations that support small businesses

Greater Vancouver Board of Trade (GVBOT)

Small Business BC (SBBC)

Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business

Black Business Association of BC

South Asian Business Association of British Columbia

Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan)

Immigrant Services Society

BC Chamber of Commerce

Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)

Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC)

Other organizations that help small businesses

COVID-19 information and resources

Contact information, partner agencies, and website policies