IMAGINE SURREY - Mayor & Council Candidates
Mayoral Candidate, Mike Starchuk
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.
Yousef Aldabainah
Yousef Aldabainah is a proud Canadian of Arab-Palestinian descent who has called Surrey and his Newton neighborhood home since immigrating to Canada in 2010.
A devoted husband to Aseel Barakat and proud father of four children — Ryan, Eve, Amer Joe, and Tia — Yousef is deeply rooted in family, community and a professional tradition of public service. He began his career as a protocol coordinator before becoming Office Director for the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Palestinian Authority. This experience shaped his lifelong commitment to service, collaborative diplomacy and expertise in stakeholder and community engagement.
Yousef next worked in settlement and integration services for newcomers, including with OPTIONS Surrey. He later served as Coordinator of Outreach and Employer Relations with WorkBC, where he built strong relationships with business owners, service organizations and diverse communities across the province, and especially in Surrey. Through this work, he has consistently promoted diversity, inclusion, and intercultural understanding.
Chandan Chahal
Chandan Chahal is an accomplished Surrey resident from Fleetwood; a small business owner, youth mentor and community advocate who understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing our city.
At 34 years-of-age, Chandan represents a new generation of leadership ready to step-up, grounded in real-world experience and hard work, with a deep commitment to affordability and improved public safety. He immigrated to Canada in 2004, ultimately settling in Surrey. Chandan’s family came here seeking opportunity and our city gave back with a chance to build a better life. That experience shaped values of resilience, accountability and his own belief in giving-back to the community that has offered him so much.
Chandan studied at Kwantlen Polytechnic University before earning a BA in Law Enforcement Studies from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. His career has been rooted in working with youth, public safety activity and community-rooted service. Chandan worked in the gaming industry at Langley and Coquitlam casinos, and in contract security, where he developed practical experience in conflict resolution and interacted regularly with first responders. He also volunteered with Surrey Crime Prevention, working on RCMP/Surrey Fire-sponsored foot patrols and neighborhood-watch activities.
Perminder Chohan
Surrey has been home for Perminder Chohan for more than 34 years, and Surrey-Newton the neighborhood where he built his life, raised his two children and shaped his future purpose.
Perminder’s journey mirrors the story of countless Surrey residents: arriving in Canada with hope, tireless work ethic, and the discovery of strength in a community that embraces diversity, opportunity and resilience. The city is where he grew into a leader, mentor, and community builder – and proud grandfather — in the place to which he owes so much.
As President and CEO of Lifewise Financial Group Inc., Perminder spent over two decades leading organizations that now support hundreds of representatives and their families across Canada. He built a network of companies from the ground up, guided by the same values that define Surrey’s spirit: honesty, hard work and respect for people and the value they both earn and deserve.
Narima Dela Cruz
Narima Dela Cruz is a deeply engaged, longtime resident of Surrey and a leading voice for young people, service organizations and underserved communities.
An involved parent, Narima served for many years as a Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) officer at her children’s former schools in Guildford. She is also a passionate, dedicated community volunteer, having contributed nearly two decades of service in various capacities to charitable foundations, immigrant communities and service-oriented groups.
Narima is the founder and long-standing leader of SPIDS, an organization representing Surrey’s hardworking, welcoming, and vibrant Filipino community. She is a tireless stakeholder and community advocate, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference in their city.
Ashiyana Hanif
Ashiyana Hanif is a dedicated, 40-year resident of Surrey where she is a trusted, pioneering media icon and advocate for city-wide accountability, public safety and community service.
After moving to BC where she now resides in Surrey’s Panorama Village neighbourhood, Ashiyana dedicated herself to understanding the city in which she would raise her family of 3 now-grown children. She learned to communicate broadly by becoming fluent in Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, and English. This dedication to language and cultural understanding gives her a unique insight into Surrey’s diversity through personal experience, not just as a distant talking point.
Since 1992, Ashiyana has become a leader in local media coverage by elevating ethnic representation across Surrey. As the founder of Media Waves Live, she has worked tirelessly to connect residents with crucial information and issues including public safety, small business protection and transparent governance at City Hall. Ashiyana never hesitates to ask difficult questions in support of families, seniors and entrepreneurs — bridging communities while fostering dialogue and unity.
William Li
William Li is a committed community advocate, entrepreneur and experienced professional in finance, international trade and investment.
William immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of seven, growing up with a clear memory of a time when homes were more affordable, neighbours looked out for one another, and families felt secure. Those early experiences shaped his belief that communities thrive when people care, and when opportunity is within reach: so families can build their lives with hope, stability and consistency.
Today, as a proud Surrey resident raising his family in Sullivan, William is ready to help restore that same sense of opportunity, trust and safety for generations to come. Graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor of Business, he combines proven business leadership with a commitment to community and public service.
Margaret Mubanda
Dr. Margaret K. Mubanda is a long-time resident of Surrey Centre, a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, and visionary leader on issues of social and economic justice, equality and community service.
In 2020, Dr. Mubanda received the YWCA Women of Distinction award (as a Community Champion), in recognition of her passion and expertise on poverty reduction strategies for children who age-out of government care at age 19. Four years later, Margaret received BC’s Medal of Good Citizenship Award for her generosity, kindness and commitment to the common good of our province. In 2025, she received honorable mention for Volunteer of the Year, City of Surrey, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Canada West.
Margaret serves on the Livability, Social Equity and Public Safety Committee for the city, working on issues around safe, secure and livable/complete communities, as she will during her Imagine Surrey council candidacy. She also served as president of the provincial riding association formerly known as Surrey-Whalley, for former MLA Bruce Ralston.
Kevin Wilkie
Kevin Wilkie has called Surrey home for more than 30 years. He is a husband, a proud new dad, and an enthusiastic dog-owner.
Kevin grew up on the rinks and fields of his city, surrounded by neighbours who looked out for one another and families who shaped the character of Surrey. Those early experiences still guide him today. He appreciates what it means to ‘belong’ and for a community to welcome and support people from every background and stage of life.
Professionally, Kevin works in Business Development at Black & McDonald, where he helps businesses operate more efficiently by reducing costs, improving processes and finding innovative, more sustainable solutions. Known for his collaborative and practical approach, he brings a future-focused mindset shaped by years of turning challenges into opportunities.
Ollie
Doggo in charge of NOT dropping any balls
Ollie has been in and around the communities of South Surrey and Cloverdale for 5 years, chasing balls, squirrels, dreams, and he imagines a world where every dog has his day, and a bone.
Having been described as barely a dog, Ollie brings enthusiasm and kindness to his role as Director of Pawsitivity & Very Good Boy and is running, but mostly walking on a platform of unlimited treats, fun kibble toppings, affordable squeaky toys, 15 hour naps and “fetch” for all.
When not barking on the phone, Ollie can be seen on the streets of South Surrey and Cloverdale getting the news from the “Daily Hydrant” and shaking paws with passers by.