FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 1, 2026
SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk today committed to no new casinos in Surrey, full stop, and called on Brenda Locke, Doug McCallum, and Linda Annis to sign the same commitment before October 17.
The moratorium is a council resolution in the first 100 days: no City consent for any new casino, community gaming centre, or relocation of a gaming licence into Surrey; no new slot machines or table games anywhere in the city outside the existing casino in Cloverdale; an updated gaming policy that says so in writing; and a request to the province to respect it. A moratorium in writing means no future council gets to say yes quietly. The Cloverdale Fairgrounds, home to that casino, will be restored as a year-round destination in direct consultation with the Semiahmoo and Kwantlen First Nations.
The same resolution will also stop the City from licensing crypto ATMs, tighten licensing for cash businesses, and keep predatory payday lenders away from schools, community centres, and transit hubs. Surrey Police will get the City’s backing to go after financial crimes with real resources. Dirty money should have fewer places to land in Surrey, not more.
Meanwhile, the legacy parties at City Hall won’t comment on their plans for gambling in the city. Their silence should be a wake up call for every parent in Surrey: we can’t trust Brenda, Doug, or Linda to say no to expanded gambling. We can’t afford to roll the dice on them.
“Silence is an answer. If a candidate won’t rule out a casino before the election, ask yourself why,” said Starchuk. “Surrey families are being extorted, the Cullen Commission told us what casinos were used for, and there is not one neighbourhood in this city asking for slot machines.”
“I spent 21 years as a social worker. I’ve seen what a gambling debt and a payday loan do to a family long after the money is gone,” said Dr. Margaret Mubanda, Imagine Surrey council candidate. “No new casinos, no crypto ATMs, and no payday lenders next to our schools. Families here are carrying enough.”
“Put the moratorium in writing, and let’s see whose name is on it,” said Starchuk. “This October, put out the fire at City Hall and elect a team that won’t gamble with Surrey.”
Starchuk is calling for the other candidates to put their commitments on gambling in writing before advance voting begins on October 7.
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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]