MIKE STARCHUK FOR MAYOR CAMPAIGN

Our Vision

TO BUILD A CITY OF CHAMPIONS

Imagine Surrey Will Deliver on 5 Promises for Surrey:

Dear Surrey,

We are at a turning point. The city we love is stuck.

We have the people, the talent, and the heart of a champion city — but we need the leadership to match. You need a team that lowers the temperature at City Hall, focuses on the basics, and delivers results you can see and feel in your daily life. City Hall has operated in chaos under each of the three other parties — and where are we?

It is time to get unstuck. Imagine Surrey offers a future where a team of frontline workers, community-rooted advocates and professionals deliver on five clear promises to build a City of Champions that you can be proud of.

With 32 years in Surrey Fire Services and experience as an MLA and Councillor, I believe in results over mere performance. Imagine Surrey is a team of experienced service providers dedicated to delivery, not drama. As your Mayor, I will follow three simple rules:

Sweat the small stuff — because that’s what affects daily life
Imagine big and deliver big things — with discipline and financial responsibility
Publish our progress — so you can hold us accountable

When fully revealed in September 2026, our costed platform will serve as our contract with you. In 4 years, an Imagine Surrey majority Mayor and Council will deliver a City of Champions. For now, you can see the highlights of how we’ll do it, with:

Safe Streets
Fast Commutes
Smart Investments
Lower Costs, and
Strong Services — with no cuts to service!

I am asking for your support to bring change that works for you. On October 17, Imagine Surrey would be honoured to earn your vote.

Mike Starchuk 
Mayoral Candidate
Imagine Surrey 

The Framework

Business owners are paying protection money. Families are afraid to walk their streets. Extortion cases are on pace for up to 600 in 2026. When you call 911, you need someone who shows up fast.

A City of Champions protects its own. Surrey families deserve to feel safe at home, on the sidewalk, and at local businesses. Imagine Surrey will deliver the largest public safety investment in a generation — starting with the extortion crisis.

You will not live in fear. The extortionists will.

—Mike Starchuk

Extortion is terrorism against working families and small businesses. Imagine Surrey will treat it like the emergency it is and work to crush extortion in our first term.

Coordinated anti-extortion command
Hire intelligence officers and launch counter-intelligence operations
Helicopter patrols over high-risk areas, with Police + ICBC Air Services
New public reporting tools + weekly public updates from Mayor Mike Starchuk
Victim support and outreach including small biz liaison and safety planning
Fast-tracked prosecutions with tougher bail for repeat offenders
Name and photograph charged suspects publicly
Send a bill for damages to convicted extortionists, their landlords/sponsors
Hundreds of New Police Officers and Crime-Prevention Cameras
We’ll let the subject matter experts tell us exactly what they need and when
Complete the police transition by no later than December 2027

Key Initiatives

A Generational Investment in Firefighting and Emergency Preparedness

One new firehall per year to match expanded population, upgraded firehalls, and new firetrucks; hire more firefighters for proper ration-per-population, like Vancouver; a dedicated Chief Emergency Readiness Officer to lead citywide preparation for floods, earthquakes, extreme heat, and wildfire smoke; new Public Information Officer.

New Mental Health, Addiction Crisis, and Clean Streets Teams

Not every 911 call needs a squad car. We will fund dedicated mental health crisis response teams that pair trained clinicians with first responders — so people in crisis get the right help, police can focus on crime, with emergency rooms not overwhelmed.

We will create a Clean Streets Rapid Response Force that includes dedicated street cleaners and new city-owned street sweepers. Rapid-response cleanup of graffiti, illegal dumping, debris, abandoned cars, and needles — prioritizing transit hubs, schools, parks, and business districts. Increased fines; bill the dumpers for costs/damages!

Stop Organized Crime and Money-Laundering

Tougher licensing for cash businesses and crypto ATMs. Restrictions on predatory payday lending. Stronger procurement transparency so dirty money stays out of City Hall. No new casinos — full stop. We will restore the Cloverdale Rodeo Fairgrounds into a world-class destination, with the existing casino, in consultation with relevant First Nations. We will implement Cullen Report recommendations versus money laundering.

Zero Pedestrian Deaths and Safer Neighbourhoods

A ‘Vision Zero’ approach with raised crosswalks, safer intersections, protected corners, traffic calming on high-risk streets, crossing guards where needed, and targeted speed enforcement in school zones.

Accelerated city-wide LED upgrades, beginning with trails and other areas that require lighting / brighter pedestrian routes: between transit, schools, and parks. 50KMs of new sidewalks with upgraded, traffic-calming intersection rebuilds.

Two-hour commutes. Broken bus routes. South Surrey largely cut off. Whole neighbourhoods without sidewalks. You spend more time stuck in traffic than you do with your family. You deserve that time back.

A City of Champions keeps moving. Surrey families are stuck in traffic, waiting on unreliable transit, and navigating a city missing basic sidewalks. We will get Surrey moving with bus rapid transit, smarter roads, and real options.

Surrey families deserve their time back. We’ll give it back to them.

—Mike Starchuk

Too many residents stuck in traffic, during commutes and leisure time
Build the public transit network Surrey can afford, sooner:
Deliver 3 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes by end of our first term:
– Scott Rd Stn corridor down to Newton
– 152nd St from Guildford down to South-Surrey Bus Loop
– King George Stn corridor down to Semiahmoo Mall
Add BRT station near Hwy 10
Increase Hwy 10 east-west bus frequency
Build the business case for King George SkyTrain NOW

Key Initiatives

Synchronized Traffic Lights

Review traffic management tech/coordination so Surrey’s signals truly work as one system, fully leveraging the adaptive technology to relieve congestion in real time.

New and Expanded Roads

Targeted upgrades on chronically congested corridors: 124th, 144th, 148th, 168th Streets; 80th Avenue and 40th Avenue. Fix the bottlenecks and improve street lighting.

50 Kilometres of New Sidewalks

Close the sidewalk gap. A published “Missing Sidewalks Map” with annual targets. School and transit routes first, paired with safer crossings and lighting.

Connected Cycling Infrastructure

Protected bike lanes in town centres and along key corridors, secure bike parking at transit hubs, and connected pathways that don’t suddenly disappear.

Give Taxis a Break

Allow taxis in designated city bus lanes, where and when appropriate. Lower licensing costs and cut red tape so more drivers can operate and prices stay competitive.

More Parking Where It Matters

Expanded park-and-ride at transit hubs. New underground and structured parking.

Better Snow and Ice Response

Expand the City’s winter response capacity with more equipment (including a new snowplow), clearer priority routes, and faster residential street clearing.

Bring West Coast Express to Surrey and Demand Our Fair Share from Translink

As the province considers a potential passenger rail strategy, Imagine Surrey will advocate for bringing the West Coast Express into Surrey with service from Scott Road to the Fraser Valley via Newton and Cloverdale, and south toward the Peace Arch.

Advocate for Translink to immediately deliver more buses, more frequency, and faster delivery of projects that match Surrey’s growth. Eg. more bus frequency into the Campbell Heights area, with later hours of operation – expanded service and more jobs.

Surrey is Canada’s fastest-growing city — but it doesn’t feel like it. Other cities attract investment, host events, and build identity. Surrey has the people but not the brand. Your tax dollars should build something you can point to with pride.

A City of Champions invests in its future. Your tax dollars should deliver real results: projects on time, contracts that reward value, and city-building moves that grow Surrey’s economy. No blank cheques. No backroom deals.

We’re going to invest in a city you can point to with pride: a City of Champions.

—Mike Starchuk

Build the Waterfront District

A Waterfront District Master Plan with phased delivery, clear timelines, and public reporting — Imagine Surrey’s vision for the Waterfront on Fraser River includes:
Public quay, pier, and waterfront promenade with kiosks and busking areas
Public market, night market, and food hall, anchored by hotels
Amphitheatre and civic plaza for concerts and festivals
Major new waterfront park
Signature “SURREY” landmark sign with public art and monuments
Restaurants, mixed housing, and high-density homes
Deep-tech office space with a startup incubator and accelerator
AND MUCH MORE

Key Initiatives

Become the City of Champions

Rebrand Surrey as the City of Champions. It’s time for Surrey to act like the city it is and celebrate the champions that made Surrey Canada’s fastest growing city.
Build a multi-use sport stadium in Fleetwood and cancel the current arena complex project — until taxpayers see a business plan that includes real partners with real money — including a full review of whether the project is best-suited at its current proposed site.
Upgrade the Cloverdale Fairgrounds, Softball City, and Newton Athletic Park. Turn the Cloverdale Fairgrounds & existing casino into world-class venue.
3 new community centre builds with consistent upgrades to existing facilities; 2 new indoor pool complexes, with one in Cloverdale.
Protect Surrey’s heritage neighbourhoods, honour our champions, and work with our farmers to see where red tape reductions can occur.

Host the World

Bid to host the 2032 World Police and Fire Games and 2034-2038 Commonwealth Games, a natural fit for Surrey’s champion culture.
Enhance the Surrey Fusion Festival to make it one of BC’s must-visit events.
Scale Surrey Pride with special event status and dedicated funding to support a parade and larger festival.
Turn the Cloverdale Rodeo into a World Class Event by providing it with special event status, including an annual grant to better-support and market the event and Cloverdale Fairgrounds.

Develop a Buy Surrey Program with Local Procurement / Student Hiring

A Buy Surrey directory and local vendor priority at City events. “Solve It In Surrey” innovation challenges where local companies compete to fix real city problems. Break big contracts into smaller pieces so local businesses can compete. Promote individual farm visits and local tours. A Surrey ‘First Job’ Pipeline: city-backed paid placements.  

Grow Surrey’s Night Economy

Make it easier for food trucks, late-night eateries, night markets, and entertainment venues to operate with streamlined permits to offer evening programming that is safe and fun. Lower film and TV permit fees. Provide more support for BIAs.

Lobbyist Registry, Open Procurement, and Respect for Taxpayers

A public Lobbyist Registry. Searchable contract disclosures. A scorecard for every major project: track budget, timeline, change orders and contractor performance.

Accelerator Zones

Imagine Surrey will designate accelerator zones within each neighbourhood centre to encourage investment, including through incentives, tax breaks, fast-tracked approvals.

Costs are climbing. Families are stretched. Locke raised taxes ~7%. Your kids can’t swim because it’s too expensive. Seniors are locked out of programs. You’re paying more and getting less.

A City of Champions doesn’t price out its families. Surrey families are working hard and still falling behind. Our plan delivers real savings you can feel: lower fees, less red tape, and disciplined budgeting.

Your family shouldn’t have to choose between paying the bills and enjoying the city you already pay for.

—Mike Starchuk

Discount specified recreation fees
Eliminate the ‘Super Senior Fee’ on recreation
Free fitness / wellness programs for Seniors
Free First Swim Lesson for Every Child Under 5
Launch the SurreyPass – one digital and physical card for all city services
More Affordable/Co-op Housing
‘Half’ Property Taxes for Affordable Housing Builds (for a limited time)

Key Initiatives

Cut Housing Red Tape

A 180-day permit guarantee: if we miss the deadline, the permit is automatically approved, and discounted (with safety and building-code checks maintained).

Expand Affordable Childcare

Build childcare into city facilities. Fast-track permits for operators. Support extended hours for shift workers. Partner with schools, non-profits, employers, and senior govs.

More Senior and Supportive Housing

Use city-owned sites for senior and supportive housing in partnership with BC Housing, health authorities, non-profits, and veterans organizations – get developments off side streets and to advantaged locations / with access to proper support services.

Four Free Disposal Dumps Per Year

Up from one. Makes disposal affordable, reduces illegal dumping, and keeps Surrey cleaner. Paired with stronger enforcement against repeat offenders / bills for damages.

Cap Property Taxes At Or Below Inflation

Property tax increases limited to inflation so that costs don’t spiral. We will not cut services to keep taxes down — that’s what sets us apart. We’ll hire the officers and firefighters we need, build the community centres and parks we need, and protect services like garbage pickup from the cuts proposed by our opponents.

Lower Utility Bills for Families

The City of Surrey will leverage its significant purchasing power to lower everyday costs for residents. We will deliver a more affordable city for everyone.

Bulk energy savings: lower energy and water bills through bulk-purchase solar panels and heat pumps.
Efficiency financing: offer community efficiency financing through property taxes and retrofitting incentives.
Free water meters: expand free water meter installations so families only pay for what they use.
Demand accountability: demand full transparency from Metro Vancouver regarding wastewater treatment cost overruns.

Centres are overcrowded. Programs are cut. Families are locked out. Your neighbourhood is outgrowing its services. When you call City Hall, you wait. When your garbage is late, nobody answers. You deserve a city that shows up for you.

A City of Champions delivers for every neighbourhood. City Hall should be a help desk that delivers fast answers, reliable services, and respect. We will protect core services, build Surrey’s neighbourhoods, and create a culture of competence.

We are frontline workers/ advocates, not career politicians. We show up quietly every day for this city — and we will not be quiet anymore.

—Mike Starchuk

Abundant Parks and Recreation

Expand park space by 5% and greenways by 10%, including a signature Greenway Loop that connects Surrey.
New indoor pool complex for Cloverdale
New outdoor pool and picnic grounds to be chosen through city-wide consultation
More community gardens for fresh food access and climate-ready amenities: shade, misting, heating and cooling centres, and bus shelters.

Key Initiatives

New and Expanded Community Centres

Identify three new community centre builds across the city, acquire the land, and begin work to ensure that all three have shovels in the ground by 2030.
Surrey Centre: Complete the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex re-build with a curling rink, indoor olympic-sized pool and waterpark, and community hall.
South Surrey: Expanded community centre facilities with full gymnasium and recreation options at Grandview Aquatic Centre.
Cloverdale: Clayton Hall site completion with a new indoor pool complex

Respect Public Workers and Taxpayers Alike to Make City Hall Work

Launch “Track My Request” for digital-first permits, inspections, and 311 calls while expanding open data.
End privatization by protecting frontline services, stopping outsourcing, and auditing contracts to bring essential functions in-house.

Vibrant Neighbourhood Hubs

Develop hubs with improved safety, lighting, and local art & culture displays. We will offer childcare, coworking and seniors/youth programming.

Seniors and Youth Strategies

Launch Mayor’s AdvisoryGroup-led programs at all centres, featuring dedicated social services and accessible transit.

Tackle Homelessness with Urgency and Compassion

Work with the Province and health authorities to expand shelter capacity and transitional housing, connect people to wraparound supports, and address encampments with dignity.

Further Reconciliation / Champion Human Rights

Establish formal government ties with Semiahmoo, Katzie, Kwantlen First Nations, and the Métis Nation of BC, to collaborate on housing, supports, procurement, and stewardship.

Defend Surrey’s Libraries

We plan to extend hours, open new branches in underserved areas, and protect librarians’ professional autonomy.

Welcome Newcomers and Support Settlement with Community Integration

As a top hub for newcomers, we will expand welcome services at neighbourhood centres and improve multilingual communications. Partnering with DIVERSEcity, PICS, Options and others, we will ensure new residents find employment and community.

Citywide Accessibility Strategy

Audit all City facilities, parks, sidewalks, and transit for accessibility. Launch an Accessibility Advisory Committee for consistency and priority

Climate Action, Urban Forest/Canopy, Farmland, and Food Security

We will increase Surrey’s tree canopy, planting 100,000 trees and protecting urban forests. To bolster food security, we will support food banks, expand community gardens, and protect the Agricultural Land Reserve. We are committed to a farm-to-table economy through local procurement and farmers’ markets (day and night).

Pet-Friendly City

Build new off-leash dog parks in every major town centre. Expand pet-friendly amenities in Surrey parks. Partner with animal welfare organizations. Make Surrey one of the most pet-friendly/responsible cities in BC: dog waste bags and disposal areas will be available in neighbourhoods with dense, high frequency pet-owner traffic.

Referendum on Ward Representation

Imagine Surrey will hold a referendum during the next provincial election on a ward/at-large hybrid system. We will task staff to create a report that details all costs. This will include the possibility of additional councillors, office space, support staff and other costs, so the voting public (in 2030) have a clear idea of what a ward system will mean to representation and future costs. This ensures every area has a clearer voice at City Hall, and we will respect the voters’ choice on how they are governed.

Our Fiscal Commitments

Property tax increases capped at CPI / eliminate waste not impacting services.
A stronger return-on-investment for taxpayers than currently seen from City Hall.
Zero service cuts — we’ll hire the officers, firefighters, frontline workers we need.
Major capital projects funded through partnerships and smart investments.
Public progress reports on budget, timelines, and contractor performance.

Vote Mike Starchuk and Imagine Surrey

to build a city of champions