B.C. election: Meet the five candidates in Surrey-Cloverdale

Surrey Now-Leader sent a questionnaire to all local candidates running in Surrey ridings in the 2026 B.C. provincial election, giving them an opportunity to introduce themselves to voters. Every candidate received the same questions, word limits and deadlines. The responses below are presented in the order received for Surrey-Cloverdale; questions were in bold and answers are in the candidates’ own words.

**Pat McCutcheon, B.C. Green Party**

McCutcheon is a retired professional engineer who has lived in Cloverdale for 25 years and has a history of advocating for a better B.C. His three priorities are tackling the high cost of living, building affordable housing, and addressing climate change while electrifying the economy.

For his first 100 days, he said he would advocate for tax-code changes that give workers a tax break while taxing financial speculators more heavily, including cryptocurrency, options, futures and prediction-market traders. He would also advocate for a wealth tax on households with more than $50 million in wealth and push the government to build more affordable housing. He described the fossil-fuel-based economy as a declining sunset industry and said B.C. must rapidly electrify and shift to renewable energy for future generations and to take advantage of the energy transition.

McCutcheon said traditional political parties have failed British Columbians over the past 50 years: social services have declined, wealth inequality has soared, housing has become unaffordable and the reality of climate change has been ignored. He said structural change is needed to reverse the decline and that the B.C. Greens are the only party that understands this.

More information: bcgreens.ca/candidates-2026/pat-mccutcheon; pat.mccutcheon@bcgreens.ca; BlueSky: @pmccut.bsky.social.

**Travis Marchenski, OneBC**

Marchenski describes himself as a hard-working, blue-collar family man raising young children in Cloverdale. His priorities are protecting property rights, cutting provincial taxes by 25 per cent and overhauling B.C.’s health-care system.

He said his absolute commitment for his first 100 days is to master legislative procedures so the community is powerfully represented, while maintaining an active, visible presence among Cloverdale’s working people. He plans to establish a new constituency office in Clayton with a strict open-door policy for residents’ questions and concerns. Criticizing the previous administration, he said many constituents experienced unanswered emails, calls and in-person visits. He pledged that his office would prioritize accessibility, prompt responses and accountability to every voter in the community.

Marchenski said he should be elected because he stands for ordinary people. He is a blue-collar tradesperson in the middle of his working life and faces the same issues as other people raising young children. He said becoming a father sparked his concern for the future and drives him to build a better world for all children.

More information: 1bc.ca; travis.marchenski@1bc.ca.

**Nicholas Cartmell, Conservative Party of B.C.**

Cartmell has been a Surrey neighbour since 2012, is a father of three, and is a former CEO of the BC Sports Hall of Fame and senior leader at TELUS. He is now working to bring the 55+ BC Games to the area. His priorities are no new taxes, recruiting doctors and nurses and building Cloverdale’s hospital without further delay, and ending the extortion and violence terrorizing Surrey families and businesses.

He said his first step would be to invite neighbours from every walk of life to a citizens’ council so Surrey-Cloverdale’s priorities shape his work in Victoria. He would then fight for his plan: no new taxes; more doctors and nurses to keep emergency rooms and maternity wards open; and safe streets free of hard drugs and disorder. He would meet with Surrey Police, business owners and community leaders about extortion and gang violence, take their concerns directly to government, and press for a firm timeline for the new Cloverdale hospital. He said families make every dollar count, and government should too.

Cartmell said he feels the cost of everything, like other residents, and wants his children and theirs to build their futures in B.C. He said he would not promise what he cannot deliver and has led multimillion-dollar projects on deadline with full accountability. He said Victoria needs less administration, better service and no new taxes.

More information: nicholascartmell.ca; nicholas@nicholascartmell.com; 604-283-9844; Instagram and Facebook: @cartmellbc.

**Stephen Dooley, B.C. NDP**

Dooley recently retired as executive director of Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus. He was named Surrey Leader of the Year in 2013 and received the King’s Coronation Medal for Community Service in 2024. His priorities are ensuring completion and opening of the new Surrey hospital and cancer facility in Cloverdale, lowering fuel, grocery and insurance costs, and working with Surrey to build a new pool and recreation facility in Clayton Heights.

He said his first priority as a new MLA would be to open his office to serve constituents and work with colleagues to continue recruiting family doctors and other health professionals. He is committed to further investment in Surrey and Cloverdale, including a new recreation facility in Clayton Heights.

Dooley said he has a proven record as an authentic team builder who cares deeply about Cloverdale residents. He would advocate for good health care, greater affordability and access to community services for the entire Cloverdale community.

More information: stephendooley.bcndp.ca; stephen.dooley@bcndp.ca; 672-251-0251; campaign office: 15551 Fraser Highway; Instagram: @stephendooley_; Facebook: @stephen.dooley.54; X.com: @_StephenDooley.

**Sargy Chima, CentreBC**

Chima is Canadian-born, a longtime Surrey resident and brings more than 20 years of public-service experience and a strong commitment to community. His priorities are improving access to health care close to home, supporting safe neighbourhoods and community safety, and strengthening community connections and local services.

He said he would begin by listening to residents, health-care professionals, community organizations and local businesses to understand their most pressing concerns. He would advocate for greater local health-care capacity, including addressing the need for more hospital beds and maternity services as Surrey grows. He would also work with community partners to identify neighbourhood safety concerns and opportunities to strengthen local services. His goal would be to establish clear priorities, build productive relationships and ensure Surrey-Cloverdale residents have a consistent voice in provincial decision-making.

Chima said he brings more than 20 years of public-service experience, community involvement and a personal connection to Surrey. He said he understands the importance of listening, working collaboratively and following through, and wants to represent Surrey-Cloverdale residents with a focus on accessible health care, safe neighbourhoods and stronger community connections.

More information: centrebc.ca/candidates/sargy-chima/; sargychima.centrebc@gmail.com; Instagram: @instagram.com/sargy_chima; Facebook and X.com: @SargyChima; TikTok: @sargychima4.