Surrey to host planned B.C. museum honouring South Asian Canadians

The B.C. government says it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Surrey to advance planning for a museum honouring Canadians of South Asian heritage. Surrey had campaigned against Vancouver to host the project, with both cities still lobbying for it as late as 2025.

The agreement outlines the next planning phase, including exploring museum options, potential sites and spaces, support mechanisms, further community engagement and implementation plans. The province said the project will build on public engagement, previous planning and ongoing discussions with communities and stakeholders, whose voices will continue to shape how the museum reflects the diverse histories, cultures, languages and experiences of South Asian Canadians across B.C.

The proposal dates to the October 2020 B.C. election campaign, when BC NDP promised a Surrey museum devoted to the province's South Asian history. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke thanked the province for choosing Surrey and advancing the project, saying there is no better location for the museum.

South Asian Canadians, whose origins include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan, with a diaspora extending as far as Fiji, account for about 9.6 per cent of B.C.'s population and are its second-largest racialized group. The Surrey & White Rock Board of Trade welcomed the announcement. CEO Joslyn Young said the museum could preserve and share South Asian Canadian stories while creating an opportunity to strengthen Surrey's economy and tourism sector.