Surrey mayoral candidate calls to triple agriculture and food processing

Surrey First councillor and mayoral candidate Linda Annis says Surrey should become a larger agricultural and food-processing hub as Canada confronts U.S. tariffs and the collapse of trade talks.

Annis says she would seek to triple the sector if elected Oct. 17. She put its current annual output at about $150 million and said the growing border city could help supply Western Canada while building agricultural exports.

She pointed to the Netherlands as a model for agricultural and food production, arguing that Surrey can play a larger role in Canada's changing economy. The comments come as the U.S. imposes 50 per cent tariffs on Canada.

Annis said growth would require more value-added processing on farms, innovation and research. She called for less red tape, faster approvals and permits, and more support and incentives for farmers.