Get to Know Mike
Mike Starchuk has spent his life on the front lines of Surrey — showing up when things go wrong, standing up for what’s right, and supporting the people who do the hard work that keeps a city running.
Raised and educated in Surrey’s Newton area, Mike served 32 years with Surrey Fire Services and retired in 2014 as the city’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer. During his firefighting career, he was also deeply involved in the labour movement — serving as a Local 1271 union officer and was known as a staunch defender of firefighters’ rights — including service as a workers’ compensation advocate whom the IAFF reports helped secure more than $14 million in wages and benefits.
Mike’s public service didn’t stop at the station door. He is a founding member of the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society, and he’s been recognized for his many community contributions, including receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal.
In elected office, Mike brought forward the same practical, protect-the-public mindset. He served on Surrey City Council chairing multiple committees, and later as MLA for Surrey–Cloverdale. As MLA, he worked on issues that hit working families directly: public safety, health, and the cost of living. Mike served as Chair of the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, leading provincewide consultations on how to fund the services and infrastructure people rely on.
Now, as Leader and mayoral candidate with Imagine Surrey, Mike is running to deliver a city that’s safer, faster, less congested and more affordable — because for working people, results aren’t theoretical: they’re the difference between getting ahead and falling behind.
I’ve spent my life in public service, where you’re judged by outcomes — not excuses. On the front lines, accountability isn’t a slogan. You show up, you solve problems, and you own the result. That’s the culture I want to bring to City Hall.
Background
Mike Starchuk has spent nearly his entire life in Surrey — serving, protecting, and championing the people who call the city home.
He served 32 years with Surrey Fire Services, retiring in 2014 as the City’s Chief Fire Prevention Officer. During his decades as a firefighter and public safety leader, Mike worked on the frontlines of emergencies and helped shape public safety policies that protected residents across the city.
During his firefighting career, Mike was also deeply involved in the labour movement, serving as a Local 1271 union officer and a workers’ compensation advocate. Through this work, he helped firefighters access benefits and protections after workplace injuries and illnesses. The International Association of Fire Fighters reports that his advocacy helped secure more than $14 million in wages and benefits for firefighters.
Mike’s advocacy extended beyond Surrey through his work with the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, where he stood up for firefighters facing occupational cancers and work-related injuries. After retiring from Surrey Fire Services, he was named an honorary member of the association in recognition of his years of dedication.
He also served nationally with the International Association of Fire Fighters as a Partnership Education Program Facilitator — one of only three Canadian firefighters selected to deliver leadership development programs across Canada and the United States.
Community service has always been central to Mike’s work. He is a founding member of the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society, which has grown into one of Surrey’s leading charities supporting families and community initiatives. Mike has also personally funded bursaries at three Surrey high schools to help young people pursue their education and career goals.
His contributions to public service have been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013) and the King Charles III Coronation Medal (2024).
Public Office
Mike was first elected to Surrey City Council in 2014, where he chaired the Agriculture, Environmental, and Diversity Advisory Committees and co-chaired the Seniors Advisory Committee.
In these roles, he helped launch farm-to-table initiatives that highlighted Surrey’s Agricultural Land Reserve and strengthened local food connections.
In 2020, Mike was elected Member of the Legislative Assembly for Surrey-Cloverdale, where he focused on issues affecting working families, including public safety, health care access, and affordability.
Key accomplishments during his time as MLA include:
Breaking ground on Surrey’s second hospital and Regional Cancer Centre, bringing advanced care closer to home.
Advancing the SkyTrain expansion, connecting Cloverdale to neighbouring communities and extending rapid transit to Langley.
Reviving Zappone Manor, a long-stalled seniors’ housing project. By securing more than $6 million in provincial funding, the outdated 50-unit building is being replaced with 89 modern affordable homes for seniors.
Helping protect hundreds of jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic by securing a $1.5 million grant for Fraser Downs, ensuring families and livelihoods remained stable during a difficult time.
While serving as MLA, Mike also chaired the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, leading provincewide consultations on how best to fund the public services and infrastructure British Columbians rely on.
Family and Community
Mike has deep roots in Surrey’s neighbourhoods and community life.
In his younger years he spent countless hours on the baseball and softball fields at Unwin Park. When it became clear a professional baseball career was only a dream, Mike returned to the park as a coach and supporter — spending years helping youth teams across Surrey, including Sullivan, Cloverdale Athletic, John Moffat Memorial, L.A. Matheson, and Tamanawis.
Both of Mike’s children went on to represent Surrey on national championship baseball and fastball teams.
When he’s not working to build a better Surrey, Mike can often be found cycling the city’s streets and farm roads — rain or shine, any month of the year.
Mike is a proud partner to Shelley, a loving father to Shannon and Ryan (and their partners Drew and Andrea), and a proud Gido — Ukrainian for grandfather — to Parker, Bria, Lennon, and newborn Stormur.