In the next four years, Surrey is projected to become the largest city in British Columbia. “It seems unstoppable,” said Brenda Locke, who’s hoping to win another term as mayor. “We’re just growing every day.” But the city of roughly 734,000 people, which adds more than 1,000 people each month, faces growing pains. “Whether it is sports fields for kids, or community centres, or our underground—our water, sewer—we have to keep up with our infrastructure,” Locke said. Still, there are other issues that remain top of mind for Surrey voters. “We’ve now knocked on more than 60,000 doors,” said Linda Annis, who is also vying for the city’s top job. “We’re hearing two big things… affordability and public safety,” the candidate running with Surrey First explained. Surrey has been plagued by extortions with more than 145 cases reported this year. “During the extortion crisis, Surrey Police Service couldn’t get real time access to our 640 traffic cameras. We need to give them real-time access,” Annis said. Locke also said it’s critical to get public safety under control. “I think we have lots of opportunity with the addition of our new public safety campus that is going to be in Port Kells. A place of advanced training, for police, for fire, for bylaws,” she said Mike Starchuk, a former MLA and Surrey councillor, is also campaigning for mayor. “We’re going to be the most open and transparent government that’s there,” said Starchuk, who is with Imagine Surrey. He’s pledging to help transit riders with reduced fares. “We’re going to use the buying power of Surrey to bulk-buy passes and turn around and hand those over to our transit riders. And we believe that will save about 40 per cent, or about $560 a year,” Starchuk said. Meanwhile, on the issue of affordability, Annis said the cost of living in Surrey has gone up dramatically because of tax increases from the city. “In the past four years, taxes have gone up, for the average household, about $1,500,” she said. Annis is promising no property tax increases in the first year, if elected, and the hiring of an auditor general. Starchuk said he would cap tax increases to the rate of inflation. Locke, who’s running with Surrey Connect, committed to keeping taxes below the rate of inflation. When it comes to priority projects, Starchuk wants washrooms built for transit workers and riders. “People are spending all that time on the bus. They get to a hub and there’s no where to go. We don’t believe you should have to buy a cup of coffee just to use a washroom,” he said. Annis promises more recreation centres. « We’re going to build a rec centre every 16 months,” she explained. And Locke said that she wants to see the 10,000-seat arena built in city centre and the entertainment district there solidified. She also said that Surrey desperately needs a children and women’s hospital. She said Surrey would provide the land for free if the province would commit to the project. There are seven people running for the mayor’s chair in Surrey. CTV News repeatedly requested an interview with Safe Surrey Coalition’s candidate Doug McCallum, but he did not respond by deadline. The other candidates in the race are Troy Van-Vliet with Surrey Now, Honveer Singh Randhawa of the Conservative Party of Surrey and Igal Ammons II.
