Granville Island is a vibrant cultural district located in the unceded, ancestral, traditional territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, in the centre of Vancouver, minutes from downtown, surrounded by ocean, cityscape and mountain views. Providing a haven for locals and tourists from around the world, Granville Island attracts millions of visitors each year, and is a favoured location for photographers, filmmakers, and event organizers. It is administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a federal crown agency of the Government of Canada, and is financially self-supporting. This event policy has been developed and is administered by the Public Affairs & Programming Department of CMHC-Granville Island.

Particularly in the summer months, Granville Island is a very busy place, with more than 300 businesses employing approximately 3,000 people, including theatres, restaurants, artists’ studios, a hotel, and its famous Public Market. The organization’s mission is “to steward this public land for meaningful urban and social experimentation among diverse, creative cultural and business models, engaging local First Nations, communities and welcoming the world.“

In keeping with this mission, there is no application fee to apply for an event permit. Additionally, Public Affairs and Programming may be able to provide additional benefits known as in-kind support, without charge, to approved public events. These benefits are offered to support cultural activities and artistic community building. In-kind support may include reserved parking (with fees waived), tables, chairs, and signage materials. All support is pending availability of supplies and nature of the event application.

(For the purpose of this policy, “events” encompasses performances, site activations, public awareness activities, sporting/athletic events, exhibits, celebrations/parties, educational events, outdoor receptions etc.)