FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, September 25, 2026

SURREY, BC — Kevin Diakiw, a former reporter with the Surrey Leader for 22 years, has endorsed Mike Starchuk for Mayor of Surrey.

In a video released by the campaign, Diakiw said covering City Hall for 22 years meant meeting “all kinds of people, great and small, with the best of intentions.”

“What I discovered during that time is a fellow named Mike Starchuk, and I don’t think you’re going to find anybody in the political landscape far and wide that’s more honest, more thoughtful, and more compassionate,” Diakiw said. “He’s currently running for mayor. He certainly has my vote. I don’t think you’ll find a better candidate out there. He’s got what it takes to hold that centre chair.”

The video is available at: youtube.com/shorts/IN-TKEcc1Lc 

“Kevin spent 22 years asking Surrey’s politicians hard questions, so his support means something to me,” said Starchuk. “People are done with the same old parties, and every week more of them are saying so out loud. This October, put out the fire at City Hall and elect a team that shows up when Surrey calls.”

Kevin Diakew has not been with the paper for nearly a decade, this is not an endorsement by the Surrey Now-Leader.

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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]