FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, September 23, 2026

SURREY, BC — Mike Starchuk, Imagine Surrey’s candidate for mayor, issued the following statement today after members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 ratified a new collective agreement with Coast Mountain Bus Company, lifting the strike deadline:

“Buses are running in Surrey this morning. If you ride one, you spent months wondering whether that would still be true today.

“Congratulations to the members of Unifor Locals 111 and 2200 on a new agreement with Coast Mountain Bus Company, and thank you for keeping this region moving while you bargained. You held out for something simple: enough running time to finish the route and enough recovery time to take a break. When the schedule is realistic, your bus shows up when the sign says it will.

“The union also said something City Hall needs to hear: transit has to be properly funded so the people who run it can deliver. Surrey is about to become BC’s largest city, and one rapid bus line is not a transit plan. That’s why I’ve called for more frequent service across Surrey, including on Highway 10, one of the most critical east-west connectors we have. I’m the only candidate in this race who has. It’s also why we’ll lower fares for Surrey residents by having the City buy them in bulk, modelled on Victoria’s approach.

“I’m proud the New Westminster and District Labour Council endorsed me for mayor. As a retired Surrey firefighter, I know what it means when people count on you to show up. Transit workers showed up every day this year. Surrey’s next mayor should show up for them, and for everyone who rides with them.”

Starchuk is the New Westminster and District Labour Council’s endorsed candidate for mayor of Surrey.

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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]