FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, September 22, 2026

SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk today committed to a Surrey bid for the 2031 World Police and Fire Games and to building a cricket and rugby stadium in Fleetwood, on land the City already owns, within walking distance of a future SkyTrain station. If Surrey wins the 2031 Games, an Imagine Surrey council will lead a bid to bring the Commonwealth Games back to Canada: hosted in Surrey.

The World Police and Fire Games are an Olympic-style competition for police officers and firefighters from more than 70 countries. When Winnipeg hosted in 2023, 8,500 athletes competed in 60 sports, 2,800 volunteers ran the Games, and roughly 25,000 visitors came to the city. The letter of intent for 2031 is due October 31, two weeks after the election. Starchuk is asking the current council to file it. If it will not, an Imagine Surrey council will ask the Games federation for the time it needs in its first week in office. Failing that Surrey will bid to host for 2033.

“I spent 32 years with the people these Games are for. Firefighters and police officers from 70 countries will come to Surrey, compete, and go home telling people what this city is,” said Starchuk. “Hosting the world is how we can put Surrey on the global map.”

“Surrey has unlimited potential, but we aren’t meeting it today,” said Chandan Chahal, Imagine Surrey council candidate and Fleetwood small business owner. “It’s time for us to show our civic pride and show the world that Surrey, BC is the city of champions.”

Imagine Surrey is committed to smart investments that make Surrey the City of Champions. Imagine Surrey’s full platform will be released over the coming weeks.

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About Imagine Surrey

Imagine Surrey is a civic party running a full slate of candidates in the October 17, 2026 municipal election. Led by mayoral candidate Mike Starchuk – a former firefighter and Chief Fire Prevention Officer, former City Councillor, and former MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale – Imagine Surrey is committed to making Surrey the City of Champions by delivering: safe streets, fast commutes, smart investments, lower costs, and strong services.

Council candidates: Yousef Aldabainah-Barakat, Chandan Chahal, Perminder Chohan, Narima Dela Cruz, Ashiyana Hanif, William Li, Dr. Margaret Mubanda, and Kevin Wilkie.

Contact
Trevor Loke, Campaign Manager
604-838-5178
[email protected] / [email protected]