Brenda Locke and Surrey Connect propose $1.5 billion in Surrey capital projects

Mayor Brenda Locke and her Surrey Connect slate announced their platform for the 2026 municipal election on Oct. 1, proposing nearly $1.5 billion for projects across the city. Locke made the announcement at Surrey Firefighters Local 1271, the former Port Kells Fire Hall No. 7, alongside her eight council candidates, including sitting councillors Harry Bains, Gordon Hepner, Pardeep Kooner and Rob Stutt. The local firefighters’ union had endorsed Locke and Surrey Connect for the coming election.

The platform promises $1.496 billion for infrastructure upgrades and new amenities. Locke said the money would be allocated over a four-year term, the same length as her previous term, and that Kooner led the project accounting. She said taxes over that period would remain at or below the rate of inflation. Locke told the Cloverdale Reporter that the plan was fully costed and could be delivered, citing the team’s record of doing what it said it would do and expressing confidence in delivering for Surrey residents.

The plan includes $50 million for street upgrades and traffic calming. Locke said there are no concrete plans to address traffic problems expected on Highway 10 in Cloverdale once the new hospital opens and the surrounding area becomes a medical precinct. She said Highway 10 is a provincial road and outside the city’s jurisdiction, but Surrey’s engineering department is working with the Province. Any bypass around the highway would be the city’s responsibility.

Some platform allocations include $150 million each for South Surrey Ice Arena and Surrey Concert Hall, and $120 million each for a City Centre pool and a Cloverdale/Clayton pool. Public safety proposals include $350 million for a public safety campus, $120 million for a Green Timbers Fire Hall and $12 million for four-person fire vehicles. Parks and green space allocations include $75 million for three major new parks, $60 million for 12 new park developments, $40 million for eight new sports fields and $20 million for general park upgrades. Streets and transportation include $50 million for residential street upgrades and traffic calming, $50 million for bike path upgrades and $50 million for citywide beautification.

Coun. Stutt said the platform reflects Surrey Connect’s commitment to public safety. He said the firefighters’ union endorsement was important, as was the slate’s commitment to infrastructure upgrades that support emergency services. He added that everyone in Surrey deserves to be safe and feel safe, and said the platform focuses on doing everything possible to support a safe Surrey.