VANCOUVER Mayor Kennedy Stewart said on Tuesday that with a report from the City’s year-old development and permit task force that Vancouver is experiencing a  massive spike in permit applications from builders and businesses, it is clear its economy is in full recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to recede.

Compared to last year, Vancouver is experiencing a 25-percent increase in residential and commercial renovation permit applications and more than a doubling of permit applications for new single-family homes, duplexes and laneway houses.

The task force also reported significant progress in reducing permitting wait times in a number of critical areas, but also acknowledged much more work still needs to be done.

Stewart said: “In response to inquiries from the building community and homeowners, I am pleased Council unanimously supported my additional direction to investigate the risks and rewards of guaranteed permit wait times. With Council’s support, I have directed the task force to review the learnings from other jurisdictions, as well as consider any financial and legal considerations as part of this new work to improve our development and permit timelines.”