FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, October 5, 2026
SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk and the eight Imagine Surrey council candidates today released “Contract for a Better Surrey,” a signed and costed platform with 79 commitments across five pillars: safe streets, fast commutes, smart investments, lower costs, and strong services. All nine candidates signed it, and every promise goes on a public dashboard, updated every quarter and rated green, amber, or red.
Introducing Mike Starchuk and the Imagine Surrey team, Unifor Local 3000 President, Adrian Burnett gave his full support to the Imagine Surrey slate. “Mike Starchuk and Imagine Surrey today are releasing a bold plan. The Contract for a Better Surrey demonstrates outstanding progressive leadership and delivers what our members need, with numbers attached. A $70 monthly transit pass for Surrey residents. At least 1,000 affordable homes a year and a bold commitment to reduce homelessness. And the City of Surrey becoming a certified living wage employer,” said Burnett, “These commitments matter to us. When Vancouver became a living wage employer, the people who felt it most were the cleaners and security guards working for City contractors. That’s the kind of work that our members do.”
The platform arrives before advance voting opens on Wednesday, and it starts with the record of the three legacy parties on council. Two mayors spent years fighting over the police, and the court fight alone cost $1.28 million in outside legal fees before the BC Supreme Court dismissed the City’s case in May 2024. Council declared an extortion emergency in January, and the police chief was fired in June with no reason made public; he is now suing for his job back. Property taxes rose about 27% over four budgets, and a $360 million arena deal was done with no business plan and no public vote. Meanwhile, Doug McCallum and Linda Annis are promising cuts to core services and frontline workers that would bring the city to a halt.
The plan starts with putting out the fire. On day one, a protocol signed by every member of council keeps City Hall’s hands off the police chief, with a public transition dashboard within 30 days and a published completion date within 90. An anti-extortion command led by Surrey Police works with the RCMP and CSIS, and every reported victim gets contact, a safety plan, and a named liaison within 48 hours. Two new fire halls get built this term. Imagine Surrey commits to SkyTrain to South Surrey through Newton, with the business case and right of way in year one and the money asked for by name from Ottawa and Victoria, alongside three bus rapid transit routes by 2030 and 50 kilometres of new sidewalk on roads that have none today. The arena waits until it has a published business plan, partners with cash, cheaper land in a better spot, and the $198 million set aside for it goes to community centres first. A lobbyist registry and searchable City contracts go live within 100 days.
For families, City property taxes rise no more than BC inflation for four years, planned at 2.5%, with no layoffs of frontline staff, no closures, and no reduced hours. A $70 one-zone monthly transit pass for Surrey residents, down from $117.20. Half-price City recreation for seniors 60 to 69, and free recreation for residents over 70. Free first swim lessons for every Surrey child. A clock on permits and rezonings, with the fee coming back day by day when City Hall misses it, and free at seven months. Three community centre projects, including an Olympic-sized pool and waterpark in North Surrey and an aquatic centre and gym at Clayton, and a 48-hour standard for every 311 request.
“City Hall is on fire. Not the building. The culture,” said Starchuk, who served 32 years with Surrey Fire Services. “In a fire, you don’t stand in the driveway arguing about who lit it. You put it out. This platform is our contract with you. If we are behind, you will read it from us first.”
“For thirty years I have asked City Hall the hard questions on behalf of families, seniors, and entrepreneurs. A lobbyist registry and a council that decides in public means you won’t have to,” said Ashiyana Hanif, Imagine Surrey council candidate.
“We’re not interested in drama. We’re interested in delivery,” said Starchuk. “This October, put out the fire at City Hall and elect a team that will deliver and turn us into the City of Champions.”
Advance voting runs October 7, 10, 14, and 15, and election day is Saturday, October 17. Polls are open 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
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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]