SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk, mayoral candidate for Imagine Surrey, informed his municipal party on Sunday July 4, 2026 that he would file — as a private citizen and resident of Surrey — a request for BC judicial review opposing the costly ‘land swap’ purchase lead by Mayor Brenda Locke, for a 10,000-seat arena complex near City Hall. Yesterday, Starchuk further informed the party that he has formally filed the petition in BC Supreme Court.

As a municipal electoral organization operating in British Columbia, Imagine Surrey would enjoy no legal standing inside such a filing. However, the Imagine Surrey team supports Mr. Starchuk’s efforts toward greater transparency, accountability and government integrity in this matter.

“As a firefighter, Mike spent decades running into burning buildings to preserve life and property — the type of courage you need to take on both challenges and opportunities at City Hall,” said Scott Williams, Campaign Manager for Imagine Surrey. “He knows when things are right and when they’re wrong, and his sense of justice and value are highly attuned. Our Imagine Surrey city council candidates and staff are proud of the leadership Mike is demonstrating yet again. It’s just one of the many ways he continues to show up for Surrey residents and taxpayers.”

Towards the end of his firefighting career, Starchuk served as Surrey’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer before being elected as a Surrey city councillor. He also served provincially as an elected MLA for Surrey Cloverdale from 2020 to 2024.