Surrey First platform proposes $1.791 billion in capital projects

The Surrey First slate, led by mayoral candidate Linda Annis, released its election platform on Oct. 6. It names public safety, the economy, a “modernized and transparent” city hall, and major investment in public facilities as priorities. The platform proposes $1.791 billion in capital projects, including $200 million for a conference centre and $170 million for a performing arts centre in Whalley. It also allocates $555 million for projects at Cloverdale Fairgrounds: a $350-million multi-sport event and aquatic centre, a $150-million Cloverdale trade and exhibition centre, a $37-million curling rink and an $18-million truck museum.

Surrey First also proposes spending a total of $600 million over four years on new recreation facilities, adding one every 16 months. Other proposed projects include a $16-million indoor sports centre in Newton and a $250-million police training centre.

“I’ve been a councillor for eight years and watched two different mayors disappoint our residents and taxpayers,” Annis said. She said the police transition has dragged on into its eighth year, people do not feel safe, rising taxes are hurting families and businesses, city hall is not transparent or accountable, and infrastructure is not keeping pace with growth. Annis said the platform resulted from more than two dozen community roundtables and knocking on more than 55,000 doors.

On public safety, Surrey First promises to hire 300 police officers over four years; provide 24/7 real-time access to feeds from 600 city traffic cameras; install 600 new police security cameras; hire 40 firefighters and 25 bylaw enforcement officers each year; and build an emergency services training centre for firefighters.

Annis said that if she and her team are elected to council on Oct. 17, she will “carry out a modernization review” within 90 days. She also promises no residential or business property tax increases in 2027. Annis said hiring an independent auditor general would help make city hall more transparent and accountable, adding that every large city in the country has one and Surrey is missing the position.

“I want to end the habit of our past two mayors who bragged about modest tax increases, then disguised additional increases as levies or fees, even though taxpayers saw the double-digit truth on their annual tax bill,” Annis said.