HxBIA serves more than 650 businesses and property owners in a central portion of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) stretching from Richards St. to Gore Ave. along Hastings St. and portions of Pender, Cordova, Main and Powell St.

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QUICK LINK TO HXBIA BUSINESS DIRECTORY LISTINGS

Quick Current News/Information Centre for BIA Members

Update on Cleaning services 
Please follow this link to see what services we provide to work towards A CLEAN, SAFE, AND WELCOMING  BIA
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Update on SINGLE-USE ITEM BY-LAW - As of July 1, food vendors must accept customers’ clean reusable cups
here is some information you need as a business owner
The City of Vancouver is implementing a single-use item reduction strategy. With your help, we've created a made-in-Vancouver strategy to dramatically reduce waste from single-use items.   While there is already by-laws covering plastic straws and utensils along with foam cups and take-out containers and on Jan 1, 2022 shopping bags and cups will be added .   

 As of July 1, food vendors must accept customers’ clean reusable cups
​Updates to the Cup By-lawCustomers’ clean reusable cups must be accepted – Starting July 1, 2022 
  • Businesses will be required to accept customers’ clean reusable cups for drinks ordered in-store
  • Food vendors must have and follow a written procedure for serving drinks (hot and cold) in a customer’s clean reusable cup for drinks ordered in store. The procedure must be in accordance with food safety and sanitary practices required by public health authorities.
  • The cup fee and other cup regulations now in effect still apply when reusable cups cannot be accepted. 
Free drinks exempted from cup fee as of March 29, 2022 Business can provide free drinks in single-use cups without charging a cup fee if the drinks provided are: 
  • At no cost to the customer, such as free water or complimentary coffee
  • In exchange for a “drink voucher” (voucher would specify that it’s good for a free drink or free drink and free meal)
  • In exchange for points or rewards earned using a licence holder’s loyalty or rewards program
What cups food vendors can refuse
​Food vendors can refuse cups that are: 
  • Not food safe (for example dirty or damaged cups)
  • Too small for the drink the customer has ordered
  • Not safe for hot drinks (for example uninsulated glass jar)
The requirement to accept a customers’ reusable cup will also not apply to:
  • Drinks served in a reusable cup - When a drink is already served in a reusable cup supplied by the business (for example at a dine-in restaurant),  the business is not required to accept a customers’ reusable cup for that drink
  • Alcoholic drinks - Liquor licensees are responsible to ensure patrons do not take liquor outside their alcohol service area
  • Events with bag checks - Events where every patron is checked to prevent anyone from bringing in objects that could be used as projectiles
  • Drive-thrus - Food vendors are not required to accept reusable cups at drive-thrus


​ There are by-law toolkits for businesses, charities and not-for-profits available from the City of Vancouver.  Click Here for Full Information and Toolkits
​​​Federal and BC COVID Assistance for businesses - UPDATES Feb 3, 2022
FEDERAL ASSISTANCE
Covid-19 benefits extended: It’s now been confirmed that the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit, and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit have all been extended to May 7, 2022. Applications for the newly-expanded Worker Lockdown Benefit are now available, which provides eligible workers $300 per week in support. Non-profits affected by financial setbacks can apply for wage and hiring support and the rent and property expense programs.
PROVINCIAL ASSISTANCE
The COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant. This program is designed to support businesses impacted by the December 22, 2021 and January 18, 2021 public health orders. Yesterday, the Province of BC extended the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant to include grants for those now able to re-open and additional grants for those still closed. (as of January 20th, 2022). The full eligibility, grant amounts, and other program details can be found online https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/economic-recovery/closure-relief-grant. As this is a provincial program, for help, including language translation and interpretation support, please email ClosureReliefGrant@gov.bc.ca.
BCSO continues to provide support
As a reminder, we continue to provide a single support to businesses through the Business Communication & Support Office (BCSO).
The BCSO is a single point of contact for Vancouver’s local business owners to:
  • Get information about re-opening protocols and business support programs
  • Learn about City initiatives to support businesses
  • Learn what City services for businesses are currently up-and-running
  • Make suggestions to the City about business and the economy
  • Respond to requests for information and assistance

Here is how to reach us.....and check on our interactive Goggle map to see if you are in our BIA

312 Main Street (2nd Floor)
Vancouver, BC
V6A 2T2
hello@hxbia.com
604-259-1466 (push 2)
Support Portal
(Technical support, or other assistance with website
​)Members if you need assistance with Needles, Garbage, Graffiti or help de-escalating a situation, HxBIA has a contract with Mission Possible Neighbours that allows any member to call for a response.
​You can reach an MP Neighbours supervisor at 604-338-7150 or call us at 604-259-1466