Getting Started

As a City-owned public space, all applicants wishing hold an event or activity in Jim Deva Plaza must apply to the City of Vancouver Film and Special Events (FASE) office for the relevant permits (full details on their website here). The City of Vancouver is responsible for processing and approving all event applications. Once approved, the Jim Deva Plaza Coordinator is available to help your event run smoothly.

Download the event application guide for the detailed event application procedure.

Step 1: Contact the Jim Deva Plaza Coordinator with the preferred date of your event. The coordinator will let you know whether the date you want is available and if your event can be accommodated in the plaza.
info@jimdevaplaza.ca
604-696-0144 ext. 225

Step 2: Fill out an online application for your event and submit it to the Film and Special Event Office for review and approval. Your FASE liaison will let you know if you need additional permits and can help you work through that process.

Step 3: Your FASE liaison will review the application and contact you. The liaison will let you know if your event is conditionally approved, if more information is needed, or if the City’s partners need to review the event.

Step 4: Wait for the reviews, if required, and provide any additional information needed. The more complex your event is, the more lead time will be required by the FASE office.

Note: Please do not advertise or promote your event until you get preliminary approval from FASE.

Application Fees and Permit Charges

A non-refundable application fee is required. See fee schedule below. If required, additional permit costs may be over and above the application fee. Please speak to the FASE staff for additional info about what your event requires.

The Jim Deva Plaza Coordinator is available to help make your event a success. Once your event has been conditionally approved by FASE, the coordinator will work with you to assist in planning a successful day.

Once Approved

1. Please review the site map diagram for details regarding site setup and electrical outlet information

2. Create a listing for your event for the Jim Deva Plaza website if desired and submit to info@jimdevaplaza.ca. Include event name, hours, and brief description.
3. If you need access to power for your event, please email info@jimdevaplaza.ca with the primary contact’s name and phone number and set up time.

4. If you wish to promote your event, please create any social media posts you would like shared on the Jim Deva Plaza Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts and send to info@jimdevaplaza.ca

Reference Documents

1. Site Map
2. Event Application Guide and Costs
3. Event Checklist

Please Respect the Plaza

Jim Deva Plaza is intended to be a safe, clean and welcoming community space, open and respectful to all. These values should be upheld in all events held at the plaza.

FAQ

Can I apply for funding to help offset the cost of my event?

Have a great idea for an event in Jim Deva Plaza? Does your organization need financial assistance? Apply for event sponsorship and make your idea happen! Deadline is April 30, 2017.

The City of Vancouver also provides some grants or subsidies to offset the costs of running an event. A list of the grants and subsidies which are currently available are on their website here.

How do I know if the date I want is available?

Please see the plaza’s event listing, email the Plaza Coordinator (info@jimdevaplaza.ca) or call the City of Vancouver Film and Special Events Office (604-257-8850). Events awaiting approval will not be shown on our events calendar.

When should I fill out an application form? I do not know all the details of my event yet.
As soon as you have the glimmer of an idea that you would like to even hold an event, please contact the Jim Deva Plaza Coordinator (info@jimdevaplaza.ca) so they can check the availability and get you the information you will need. They will let you know if you should fill out the application form and submit it to the Film and Special Events Office.

It’s almost time for my event and I have not received my permit yet. How do I know if I am approved?

You should be in contact with your event liaison from the Film and Special Events Office throughout the planning process. Conditional approval can be granted prior to permit issuance.

Can I film/photograph the plaza?

As this is a public plaza, personal photography and film are fair game. However, if the images are to be used for commercial purposes or if it will require exclusive use of the plaza, you will need to obtain a permit for the photo shoot. Please see the filming application for more information.

Who can I contact with questions about my event?

For event applications and to find out whether your event has been approved, please go to the City of Vancouver’s Special Events and Permitting website or contact the office at:

Phone: 604-257-8850
Email: specialevents@vancouver.ca

The plaza coordinator is here to answer any questions you may have about planning your event and as a resource during the initial phase of the plaza.

Phone: 604-696-0144 ext. 225
Email: info@jimdevaplaza.ca

Jim Deva's Living Legacy

On April 15, 1983, Jim Deva, along with his partner Bruce Smyth and friend Barb Thomas, opened the doors of the Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium. From these humble beginnings, Jim built a profound and enduring legacy that would shape Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ community and challenge the censorship laws at the highest court in Canada.

Two years later on May 29, 1985, Canada Customs officials deemed material destined for the shelves of Little Sister’s as obscene, and seized the first of many literary titles. Little Sister’s appealed the seizures and, with the support of store manager Janine Fuller, the BC Civil Liberties Association, and the larger community, began a court battle that lasted over two decades. The case became known as “Little Sister’s vs. Big Brother”. Despite mounting court costs and three bombings of the Little Sister’s store, Jim and his team brought their case before the Supreme Court of Canada. In 2000, the Supreme Court ruled that Canada Customs had unfairly targeted the store.

However, Canada Customs’ seizure of materials began again within a year. Jim and Little Sister’s challenged these actions again. In 2007 the Supreme Court upheld a ruling denying Little Sister’s funding for their case. Unable to sustain further legal action, Jim and his team were forced to abandon the case. To this day Canada Customs still has the authority to deem literature obscene without oversight or review.

Jim Deva was also dedicated to improving the livability of the West End. His leadership and advocacy focused on ensuring that parks and public spaces were enjoyable, safe and inclusive spaces. From 2004 to 2005, Jim participated extensively in the redesign process of Nelson Park, with the goal of making it a more inclusive space for all residents. From 2004 to 2006, he was a member of the West End Integrated Neighbourhood Network, whose mandate was to advise City Council on strategies to improve the safety and quality of parks and public spaces. Jim also served on the West End Mayor’s Advisory Committee (2010 to 2011), and recommended strategies to protect and improve parks and green space.

Jim Deva died tragically in 2014. He is fondly remembered as a cornerstone of his community who was committed to inclusive public space and a leader who rallied against anti-gay violence in Vancouver. Through Little Sister’s lengthy court battle, he became an ambassador for the LGBTQ2+ community and a champion for free speech in Canada.

Get here by walking or bicycling

We are located on the South side of Davie at Bute Street. Look for the rainbow crosswalk! Jim Deva Plaza is conveniently located just one block west of the Comox-Helmcken Greenway at Bute Street.

Get here by public transit

You can either take the 6 from downtown or the C23 from Main Street. Get off at Bute Street. See Translink’s trip planning website for more info.

Driving

There is limited street parking around Jim Deva Plaza. Metered parking along Davie Street is available on a first come first serve basis. Rates are typically $1-$6 per hour.

There is a 152 space underground parking lot underneath the Upper Deck Restaurant off Davie Street. Rates are $4.00/hr.

Accessibility

For those with accessibility needs, there is an underground parkade located east of the Plaza on Davie Street, between Bute and Jervis underneath the Sandman Hotel. There is also underground parking on the west side of the plaza off Davie Street with 152 spaces. Rates for both are $4.00 / hr.

Starting a Business in the West End?

The West End BIA has eight pedestrian counter cameras installed at strategic locations to measure pedestrian traffic on sidewalks and detect their direction of travel. The counter uses thermal imaging to detect the heat emitted by people moving through the area and provides data around the clock. Since the system uses passive-infrared technology there is no infringement on privacy.

Pedestrian counters measure the impact of events on the streets to better understand foot traffic and visitor trends. These systems gather valuable visitation information that can be used to attract new businesses and to determine optimal operating hours and staffing requirements.

Click here for the latest data.

The West End BIA’s commercial streets have been divided into four retail precincts: Davie Village, Lower Davie, Denman and Lower Robson. Each precinct is anchored by local serving retail such as grocery stores, liquor stores and pharmacies. Each has a different combination of restaurants, cafes, bars and tourism related businesses.

We have created market profiles for each district. These profiles include information on retail mix, number of vacant commercial units, demographics of the local residential population, pedestrian counts, and recent or expected developments. We trust this will assist with assessing opportunities for new businesses in the area.

The West End is perfectly situated between the city’s best-loved and most popular destinations.  The world-famous Stanley Park (and its wrap-around seawall) is literally the West End’s backyard. English Bay makes the Pacific Ocean accessible to everyone, year-round. And Downtown Vancouver is at our doorstep.

Our enviable location has lead to high demand, amazing residential density and wonderful diversity of people, businesses and some of Vancouver’s biggest events.

Located in the heart of Vancouver’s Davie Village, next to the rainbow crosswalks at Davie and Bute Streets, Jim Deva Plaza is a community serving gathering space and home to a variety of events and activities.

The plaza is named after Jim Deva, longtime community activist, founder of Little Sister’s Book and Art Emporium, and advocate for Vancouver’s LGTBQ2+ community. Learn more about Jim Deva’s Legacy, his contribution to the community and his commemorative art piece, The Megaphone.

Take part in some great events! Check out all the exciting events planned in the plaza. Lots coming up.

Plaza Stewardship

Our enviable location has lead to high demand, amazing residential density and wonderful diversity of people, businesses and experiences. Over the past century the three commercial streets of Davie, Denman and Robson connected everything together.