Vancouver Greens Propose “Grow Local Wealth” Plan for Local Entrepreneurs
The plan would support micro-entrepreneurs, co-ops, makers, and small businesses with space, shared infrastructure, mentorship, and simpler rules.
VANCOUVER, B.C., SEPTEMBER 22, 2026 — A strong local economy is built by more than large employers. It also depends on the people starting businesses at home, selling at markets, making things, opening small storefronts, and building co-ops and community enterprises.
Vancouver Greens are proposing a Grow Local Wealth plan to help those entrepreneurs and organizations get started, find space, share equipment, and build sustainable businesses in Vancouver.
“Some of Vancouver’s most interesting businesses and community projects start small,” said Green City Council candidate Bridget Burns. “They start with a maker, a market vendor, a home-based business, a food entrepreneur, or a group of people building something together. City policy should give those ideas room to grow.”
The Grow Local Wealth plan would:
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Support micro-entrepreneurs, co-ops, social enterprises, and small businesses with affordable space, shared infrastructure, mentorship, and streamlined approvals
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Give home-based businesses, market vendors, makers, artists, and food entrepreneurs reasonable rules, flexible zoning, affordable permits, and business support
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Create Neighbourhood Enterprise Hubs, low-cost spaces where start-ups, makers, commissary kitchens, non-profits, social enterprises, and small businesses can share equipment, get mentorship, and work side by side
The proposal follows last week’s Buy Vancouver, Build Canada procurement strategy and Monday’s plan to make City Hall easier for small businesses to navigate. Together, the three policies address different parts of the local business ecosystem: public purchasing that keeps more economic activity circulating locally, simpler City processes, and more support for entrepreneurs and local organizations.
“Vancouver has no shortage of people with ideas, skills, and the willingness to work,” said Burns. “The City can make it easier for more of them to turn that into a livelihood, a business, a co-op, or a community enterprise.”