Linda Annis: Time to get Surrey ready to be B.C.’s biggest city and economic powerhouse

Surrey, B.C. (Sept. 3, 2025): Surrey First Councillor Linda Annis has announced she will run
for mayor of Surrey in the next municipal election, scheduled for October 17, 2026. Annis,
who is Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, was first elected to Surrey
council in 2018, and re-elected in 2022, when she topped the polls.

“In just four short years, Surrey will be British Columbia’s biggest city, and we will be the first
city in our province to top one million people,” said Annis. “I want to make sure we’re ready
so that we can build the sort of future our city wants and deserves. It’s time to ignite
Surrey's potential and show our province and country what we can contribute and
accomplish in the important years ahead."

Annis said, while the municipal election is a year away, she wants to use the time to have
serious conversations with Surrey voters about the future of their city.
“I’m frustrated to see so many important priorities ignored by our current mayor and her
councillors because they have spent this entire term trying to stop or stall the police
transition,” explained Annis. “As a result, they have wasted time and millions of tax dollars
while every other issue and opportunity has been sidelined. Frankly, Surrey taxpayers
deserve better."

Annis said she will begin announcing Surrey First council candidates in the weeks ahead.
“Our city deserves a mayor and council who really put Surrey families and businesses first,"
said Annis. "Wasting an entire term when there is so much to do is inexcusable, and I want
to change that. Surrey’s mayor and council need to be able to manage multiple priorities at
the same time."

Annis said her election priorities will be a results-driven “contract with the community” that
includes:

• Completing the police transition and securing a new police training academy in Surrey for the Lower Mainland;
• A core review of every city program and expense, ensuring value for money, potential savings, and reduced red tape;
• Adding light rail transit that connects neighbourhoods, and complements the new Surrey-Langley SkyTrain line;
• Cutting wait times for building permits and building more affordable housing quicker, smarter, and with fewer city hall hurdles and costs;
• Creating a results-driven economic development plan that cuts red tape, earns Surrey an open-for-business reputation, and produces good local jobs that reduce commuting to work in neighbouring cities;
• Growing key industry sectors, including agriculture and food processing, manufacturing, transportation, logistics and supply chains, and Surrey’s construction expertise;
• Hiring an independent auditor general -- like every big city in Canada – ensuring financial transparency, and making sure taxpayers get value for money from city hall programs and expenditures;
• Developing a 20-year plan for more neighbourhood parks, pools, rinks, and playing fields, with free admission for Surrey children and youth;
• Flexing Surrey’s growing political muscle to secure more transit, healthcare, and education infrastructure dollars from Victoria and Ottawa;
• Zero tolerance for Surrey’s 400 school portables;
• A community-driven master plan for Cloverdale Fairgrounds as a sports and entertainment hub;
• Developing a conference and performing arts centre;
• Creating more community engagement, including a public question period at the start of every council meeting; and
• Delivering more transparency from city hall and city council, with fewer in-camera meetings.

“Over the past seven years, I’ve spoken to thousands of Surrey residents and have built a
growing list of their priorities,” said Annis. “That list isn’t getting any shorter, so I want to
work with councillors who are ready to roll up their sleeves to get things done. It means
giving assignments and responsibilities to councillors as a team, regardless of their politics,
and holding them accountable for moving things forward. I really believe that we can get
more done if we put more hands to work.”

Annis said she would also introduce a municipal version of the mandate letters that the
provincial and federal governments use to spell out direction to cabinet ministers.
“Councillors want to do more, and if we elect the right people with the right talent and drive,
we can get a lot more done, and then be held accountable by voters,” explained Annis. “I
want to run with a team that puts Surrey first, and believes our city deserves more than the
status quo. I want to be part of a team that is prepared to help with the heavy lifting that
comes with the priorities we’re identifying. The years ahead will be busy, and it’s not going
to be easy, but I’m confident that with the right team and a council that is less partisan we
can get a lot more done.”

Annis also wants to create an advisory panel made up of former Surrey mayors.
“Regardless of their political stripe, former Surrey mayors have some very unique
experience," explained Annis. “I may not agree with some of their political perspectives, and
they may not even be active in politics anymore, but they know a thing or two and hearing
their perspective on important issues could certainly help us make better decisions for our
city. I want to put their combined years of practical experience to work for Surrey. They are a
valuable resource that I’d like to tap into.”

Annis said she also wants a city with a reputation for livability and creativity, where
businesses are encouraged to create good jobs and a stronger local economy.

"We really need to ramp up our business and economic development department at City
Hall,” noted Annis. “As a major Canadian border city, we have a real opportunity to be more
than just a bedroom community for other cities in the region. Economic development that
creates good local jobs is a very real and urgent priority. These uncertain economic times
mean we need to be focused and nimble when it comes to attracting and retaining
businesses. When it comes to attracting business, I want to roll out the red carpet, rather
than the red tape. Our city’s tax base is heavily residential, but attracting new businesses
will be how we fund our city’s future as we grow our business tax base. But first we need to
show businesses we're open and ready to welcome them."

Meanwhile, Annis says she wants families to move to Surrey because it is safe and
affordable, with the right infrastructure, including schools, healthcare, and public amenities
for local families and their children and grandchildren.
“By putting families first, we’ll put Surrey first,” added Annis. "I want to be part of a city hall
team that rebuilds that public pride and reputation. Our city and its residents deserve
nothing less, and I hate when I see our city shortchanged or our reputation diminished by
small thinking, petty politics, and a lack of vision."

Annis said, while she has no intention of being the sort of mayor that picks fights with the
provincial or federal governments, she will ensure Surrey MLAs and MPs know exactly what
their city expects of them as they represent the city in Victoria and Ottawa.
“I want Ottawa and Victoria on speed dial, and a “Team Surrey” approach at the local,
provincial and federal level,” said Annis. “Flexing our political muscle is key to ensuring
Surrey’s political strength translates into resources and funding that delivers for our local
families.”

Meanwhile, Annis says if she is elected mayor, she will also be working to make major
changes at Metro Vancouver, including reducing the size of the board, changing the
governance model, eliminating meeting fees for board members, and carrying out an
independent review and audit of the failed North Shore Wastewater Treatment project that
is $3 billion over budget and years behind schedule.

“Metro Vancouver is failing regional taxpayers, and that has to change,” said Annis. “I’m
hoping mayoral and council candidates from other cities will come together to make the kind
of necessary changes that re-focus Metro on core services, cut costs, and stop the
outrageous meeting fees that have made so many headlines over the past two years.
Frankly, no mayor in British Columbia should make more than the premier, and the Metro
board payments need to end.”

Annis said she’s excited about Surrey’s future and its potential, and what it means to
residents and taxpayers in every neighbourhood.

“The next municipal election will define our city's future," added Annis. "I’m excited about
what our city can accomplish, because I really do believe that together, we can do better.”