--- title: "Free Expression, Residents First, Small Business and City Politics: the TrueBlue Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026 | voche.me" canonical_url: "https://voche.me/parties/trueblue-vancouver/2026-platform/miscellaneous-topics/free-expression-residents-and-small-business" last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:00:53.947Z" meta: description: "TrueBlue Vancouver would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in civic spaces, and put existing residents first in decisions on spending..." "og:description": "TrueBlue Vancouver would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in civic spaces, and put existing residents first in decisions on spending..." "og:title": "Free Expression, Residents First, Small Business and City Politics: the TrueBlue Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026" "twitter:description": "TrueBlue Vancouver would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in civic spaces, and put existing residents first in decisions on spending..." "twitter:title": "Free Expression, Residents First, Small Business and City Politics: the TrueBlue Vancouver plan | Vancouver 2026" --- ** TrueBlue Vancouver · Vancouver 2026 # TrueBlue Vancouver on free speech, small business and residents-first spending TrueBlue Vancouver would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in civic spaces, and put existing residents first in decisions on spending and services. It would cut red tape and protect commercial parking for small businesses, and focus City Hall on core services. All 4 commitments [Read pages 47 to 48 of the PDF ](https://truebluevancouver.com/downloads/trueblue-vancouver-2026-full-platform.pdf#page=47) [**3**Candidates](https://voche.me/parties/trueblue-vancouver/candidates) [**8/10**Issues with published policy](https://voche.me/parties/trueblue-vancouver/platform) [**7**Sources on file](https://voche.me/parties/trueblue-vancouver/money) **8**Questions answered MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS · PAGES 47 TO 48 ## Free Expression, Residents First, Small Business and City Politics: what the 2026 Full Election Platform says TrueBlue Vancouver's last section collects the policies the party lists under "Misc. topics". On free expression, it would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in Vancouver's public and civic spaces. Under the heading "Canadians and Vancouverites First", it would put the needs of existing residents first when the city decides on spending, services and infrastructure. The platform does not define who counts as an existing resident. For small businesses, TrueBlue would cut what it calls unnecessary red tape, protect commercial parking and make Vancouver easier and cheaper for local businesses. Its final policy would focus City Hall on core municipal services, which the party contrasts with political activism and ideological campaigns. The small business policy repeats the priority the party lists on page 2, a city where business can thrive. All four policies are within City Council's power. Council sets permits and rules for the use of civic spaces, approves the budget and the capital plan, issues business licences and sets licence and permit fees. These policies concern the city's own rules, spending and staff, so Council could act without asking another government. The platform gives no cost or timeline for them. 4 COMMITMENTS ## What the party says it would do 1. ### Protect free expression TrueBlue would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in Vancouver's public and civic spaces.
Who has the power
City Council Council sets the permits and rules for using city streets, plazas and buildings.
Source
2026 Full Election Platform, page 47
2. ### Canadians and Vancouverites first The party would put the needs of existing residents first when making decisions about city spending, services and infrastructure.
Who has the power
City Council Council approves the operating budget and the capital plan.
Source
2026 Full Election Platform, page 47
3. ### Support small businesses TrueBlue would cut what it calls unnecessary red tape, protect commercial parking and make Vancouver easier and less expensive for local businesses.
Who has the power
City Council Council issues business licences, sets licence and permit fees and sets parking rules on city streets.
Source
2026 Full Election Platform, page 48
4. ### End ideological city politics The party would focus City Hall on core municipal services instead of what it calls political activism and ideological campaigns.
Who has the power
City Council Council sets the city's priorities through its budget and its direction to staff.
Source
2026 Full Election Platform, page 48
WHO WOULD HAVE TO ACT ## Where the power sits for this chapter City Council4 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ## Questions about free expression, residents first, small business and city politics
What does TrueBlue Vancouver promise small businesses? TrueBlue Vancouver would cut what it calls unnecessary red tape, protect commercial parking and make Vancouver easier and less expensive for local businesses (platform, page 48).
What is TrueBlue Vancouver's position on free speech and protest? The party would defend lawful speech, peaceful protest and open debate in Vancouver's public and civic spaces (platform, page 47).
What does "Canadians and Vancouverites first" mean in TrueBlue's platform? Under that heading, TrueBlue would put the needs of existing residents first when the city decides on spending, services and infrastructure (platform, page 47).
What does TrueBlue Vancouver mean by ending ideological city politics? The party would focus City Hall on core municipal services. It contrasts this with what it calls political activism and ideological campaigns (platform, page 48).
Could Vancouver City Council carry out these TrueBlue policies alone? Yes. Council sets the rules for civic spaces, approves the budget, issues business licences and sets licence and permit fees and parking rules. A council decision needs a majority of the 11 votes on Council (platform, pages 47 to 48).
ON THE BALLOT ## The TrueBlue Vancouver candidates behind this ### City Council [154**Naomi Chocyk**Ballot 154](https://voche.me/candidates/naomi-chocyk) ## Sources Every commitment on this page comes from the party's own material, marked SAYS SO ITSELF. It proves what the party says it would do. Who holds each power is our own addition, from the sources listed after it. 1. [TrueBlue Vancouver 2026 Full Election Platform, 49-page PDF ](https://truebluevancouver.com/downloads/trueblue-vancouver-2026-full-platform.pdf#page=47)SAYS SO ITSELFTrueBlue Vancouver · pages 47 to 48 · checked September 30, 2026 ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.