Surrey mayoral candidates set out priorities as city grows toward B.C.’s largest

Surrey is projected to become the largest city in British Columbia within the next four years. The city has roughly 734,000 residents and adds more than 1,000 people each month. Mayor Brenda Locke, who is seeking another term, said growth “seems unstoppable” and that the city is growing every day. She said Surrey must keep pace with infrastructure needs, including children’s sports fields, community centres, water and sewer systems.

Candidates say voters are also focused on affordability and public safety. Linda Annis, who is running with Surrey First, said her campaign has knocked on more than 60,000 doors and heard those two concerns most often. More than 145 extortion cases have been reported in Surrey this year. Annis said Surrey Police Service could not access the city’s 640 traffic cameras in real time during the extortion crisis, and said the service should be given that access. Locke also said public safety must be brought under control. She pointed to a planned public safety campus in Port Kells for advanced training for police, firefighters and bylaw officers.

Mike Starchuk, a former MLA and Surrey councillor, is also running for mayor with Imagine Surrey. He promised what he described as the most open and transparent government. Starchuk said Surrey could use its purchasing power to buy transit passes in bulk and distribute them to riders. He estimated that would save riders about 40 per cent, or about $560 a year.

On affordability, Annis said municipal tax increases have driven up the cost of living in Surrey. She said taxes for the average household rose by about $1,500 over the past four years. If elected, she would promise no property tax increase in her first year and hire an auditor general. Starchuk said he would cap tax increases at the rate of inflation. Locke, who is running with Surrey Connect, said she would keep tax increases below inflation.

Starchuk’s priority projects include washrooms for transit workers and riders. He said people spend a long time on buses and can reach a transit hub with nowhere to go, adding that riders should not have to buy a coffee just to use a washroom. Annis promised more recreation centres, saying she would build one every 16 months. Locke wants a 10,000-seat arena in the city centre and to strengthen the entertainment district there. She also said Surrey urgently needs a children’s and women’s hospital, and that the city would provide land free of charge if the province committed to the project.

Seven people are running for Surrey mayor. CTV News repeatedly requested an interview with Safe Surrey Coalition candidate Doug McCallum, but he had not responded by deadline. The other candidates are Troy Van-Vliet with Surrey Now, Honveer Singh Randhawa of the Conservative Party of Surrey, and Igal Ammons II.