The second part of our comprehensive Local Economy Action Plan to jumpstart Vancouver's economy
Five-part plan signals that Vancouver is open for business by streamlining regulation and making it easier, faster, and cheaper to start and scale a business in the city. It will restore a dedicated Business & Investment Office, launch an Entrepreneur Liaison Office, roll out direct micro-grants for small businesses and non-profits, redirect City procurement toward Vancouver and Canadian businesses, and make sure the people affected actually help shape how it's built.
VANCOUVER, B.C. on the Territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh – William Azaroff, Mayoral Candidate for OneCity, today announced Part 2 of the party’s Local Economy Action Plan to rebuild the City's capacity to support Vancouver's own businesses, three years after ABC dismantled the Vancouver Economic Commission, an agency with a track record of helping attract over $3 billion in investment.
Unlike Ken Sim, who’s spent his term unsuccessfully begging big business to come back to the city, we’re betting on small and scaling businesses to drive economic growth and a thriving city for all.
“City Hall needs to stop tying the shoelaces together of people who want to start a business,” said William Azaroff. “It’s time for City Hall to bet on Vancouverites, and make it easier to start, grow, and scale your business. As Mayor, with our OneCity team, we will build a Vancouver that leads British Columbia in prosperity, good jobs, and fair wages for every single one of our neighbours.”
Part 2 of the Local Economy Action Plan is built on five parts:
Restore the Business & Investment Office – Under Ken Sim, Vancouver has lost its economic leadership, as well as its dedicated office to engage, support, and scale the businesses that provide Vancouver with its comparative advantage. OneCity will build a new Business & Investment Office, funded at $3 million, while working to reform, fund, and stabilize the regional Invest Vancouver so that Vancouver’s BIO will have a partner they can count on.
An Entrepreneur Liaison Office – Right now, Vancouverites who want to start or grow their business too often feel like the City is tying their shoelaces before they even leave the starting blocks. Entrepreneurs need a straightforward way to meet reasonable regulatory requirements and access programs, so they can build their dreams. OneCity will establish an Entrepreneur Liaison Office with dedicated staff who actively help entrepreneurs and small and medium businesses looking to start, relocate, or expand in Vancouver to navigate permits, licensing, and funding across every level of government – not just City Hall.
Small Business & Community Micro Grants – Vancouverites have dreams, drive and ambition. Too often, what they lack is the seed capital to get started. Vancouver currently lacks any citywide direct-to-business micro-grant system that would close that gap. OneCity will create a tiered micro-grant system that will help start, scale, and secure built-in-Vancouver businesses, administered by a non-partisan committee of business, labour, and community representatives so that the impact supports real opportunities for Vancouverites.
Buy Vancouver, Build Resilience – In a time of economic uncertainty and trade disruption, Vancouver needs to build resiliency, and resiliency starts at home. OneCity will establish a three year procurement pilot - Buy Vancouver - which will ensure that City tax dollars prioritize buying goods and services in Vancouver, and supporting business and good jobs across British Columbia and Canada. Buy Vancouver will drive local business growth, and build resiliency by integrating the Canadian supply chain and redirecting away from dependence on foreign multinationals.
A Good Jobs Procurement Standard – Vancouver tax dollars are currently going to whoever bids lowest: contractors cutting corners on wages, safety, and training, with the costs landing on residents relying on hollowed out services. Cheap contracts often hide expensive problems: contract-management costs, lost institutional knowledge, and weaker accountability. OneCity will reward fair wages, responsible contractors, apprenticeships, safety, and local and inclusive hiring – not just the lowest upfront price.
“I love the idea of activating more vacant spaces in the city, especially along Main Street where we are,” said Colette Griffiths, owner operator of the Federal Store. “Having a one stop shop when we were looking for approvals, how to get permits, when to apply for them, would have been so helpful for me ten years ago when I opened my business.”
“The hospitality industry will benefit from easier ways to find a new storefront that works for them,” said Kelcie Jones, co-owner and operator of This Is Wine School. “Micro-grants could cover the capital costs of ownership, like ovens and dishwashers, that will also help get businesses off the ground.”
About OneCity Vancouver
OneCity is a progressive political movement with more than 4,800 members and more than a decade of electoral success in Vancouver politics, championing a city for workers, a city with housing for everyone, and a city that grows small businesses and services so Vancouverites can have a voice, a place, and a future.
Media Contact:
Giovanna Orecchio, Campaign Director
[email protected]
