Yes, users on the free tier of Slack can create canvases for their channels. However, the free version comes with specific restrictions on how they function.

Free Plan vs. Paid Plan Rules

• One Canvas Per Channel/DM: On a free workspace, you are limited to creating one canvas per channel or direct message. You can add this by clicking the Add canvas tab icon in the conversation header.
• No Standalone Canvases: You cannot create independent, standalone canvases from your sidebar. Standalone documents are exclusively a paid feature.
• If You Downgrade: If an organization downgrades a paid workspace to the free tier, all existing canvases are automatically converted to read-only, and the ability to build new ones is restricted.