Surrey, B.C. (March 9, 2026): Surrey First councillor and candidate for mayor Linda Annis wants a core review of city programs and expenditures, rather than another arbitrary property tax increase. Annis said she will not support Brenda Locke’s 2026 budget and believes a core review aimed at finding savings and efficiencies would mean no tax increase this year.
“Over her term, Brenda Locke’s tax increases have cost the average Surrey family another $1500,” noted Annis. “Under Brenda Locke, property taxes grew by 26 per cent, water rates grew by 24 per cent, and sewer rates increased by more than 70 per cent.”
Annis said property taxes, road and traffic levies, and the parcel tax are all controlled by the city, while water, sewer and solid waste are primarily Metro Vancouver costs, where Brenda Locke voted in support of their budget, with costs directed at Surrey residents.
Annis believes that tax increases are the easy way out for city council, rather than being disciplined and looking for savings and efficiencies at city hall.
“Surrey taxpayers are not ATMs, and right now residents and businesses are struggling,” said Annis. “All of us on council owe it to our taxpayers to find savings and efficiencies. I believe in our $2 billion city budget we can find at least five per cent in savings and efficiencies, and that would mean no tax increase.”
Annis said tax increases that mimic inflation do not fool local Surrey taxpayers.
“Take a look at your statement from the city and you’ll see that the property tax is just the tip of the tax iceberg,” explained Annis. “When you add up all of the other city fees and taxes, then add on everything Metro Vancouver charges, you can see just how much more we’re all paying today than four years ago.”
Annis has repeatedly said if she is elected mayor in October there will be an immediate core review at city hall and no city tax increases in 2027.
“Respect for taxpayers is key, and the message I have for city hall is the same message I have for Metro Vancouver,” said Annis. “Metro Vancouver is mismanaged and out of control. Their $3 billion wastewater treatment fiasco is a bill we will all be paying for years to come. The fact is, Metro needs to be reined in, and it should start by not paying elected officials to attend meetings.
“The fact is, if Brenda Locke and the rest of the Metro Board stopped paying themselves to attend meetings, we’d save $5 million over the next term, and send a signal to our taxpayers that someone is listening to their concerns and frustration.”