What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of property owners and tenants within a specified district, who join together with official approval of the city, in a self-help program aimed at stimulating business.

Working in conjunction with the City of Toronto Business Improvement Area (BIA) Office, the CWVBIA is an organization comprised of local business people and commercial property owners from within the village district. Our district extends from the intersection of Church and Wood Street to the intersection of Church and Gloucester Street.

The CWVBIA volunteer Management Board chosen from CWVBIA members, runs the CWVBIA. The Board is nominated at an Annual General Meeting and, once approved by City Council, serves a three year term concurrent with Council Members.

The CWVBIA works in cooperation with the City of Toronto to enhance the business area. It aims to create sidewalk beautification projects, marketing and promotional campaigns, street festivals and strategic planning initiatives to address community concerns such as safety issues and crime prevention. The CWVBIA is a catalyst for change and civic improvement, acting as a unified voice to advocate on behalf of the interests of our members. Our goal is to help a thriving, competitive and safe business area that will attract shoppers, diners, partiers, diners, tourists and new businesses to the village. We are working to establish a strong and distinct neighbourhood identity that will help our village compete in an age of shopping malls and big box retail stores. We also seek to strengthen and support our internationally known reputation as the most exciting gay village in the world.