No need for a 2026 tax increase, but Brenda Locke keeps layering costs on Surrey families: Linda Annis
Surrey, B.C. (March 10, 2026): Surrey First councillor and candidate for mayor Linda Annis says Brenda Locke’s 2.6 percent property tax increase is just the tip of a bigger “financial iceberg” for Surrey residents.
“There is no such thing as a modest tax increase, mostly because your tax bill will show additional charges and increases beyond your property tax,” noted Annis. “These increases include 5.3 percent for water, 1.4 percent for sewer, 1.2 percent for the parcel tax, and a three percent increase in other user fees. Meanwhile, there is a truckload of taxes and fees from Metro Vancouver where Brenda Locke keeps approving their budgets, which are downloaded to Surrey taxpayers. Those costs from Metro include paying Brenda Locke Metro’s meeting fees, something that should be abolished.”
Annis said instead of another so-called modest increase, there should be no tax increase, something that is very doable with a core review of city programs and expenditures.
“On a $2 billion city budget, finding just five percent in efficiencies and savings is easy to do,” said Annis. “But, for politicians who are not prepared to do the hard financial work, it is always easier just to pass along more and more taxes, instead of taking a serious look at where every dollar is going, and which programs are delivering for our residents.”
Annis says if she is elected mayor in October there will be a top-to-bottom core review at city hall, and no tax increase in 2027.
“When you hear a politician say a tax increase is modest, check your wallet,” added Annis. “Respecting taxpayers starts by doing the hard work around city budgets and putting Surrey residents first. Meanwhile, Brenda Locke’s term has cost the average Surrey family $1500, and there’s nothing modest about that, or its impact on people in tough times.”