Safer streets, stronger economy, financial transparency, and investments in Surrey’s future
Surrey, B.C. (October 6, 2026): Public safety, a stronger local economy, a modernized and transparent city hall, and major investments in public facilities top Surrey First ‘s 2026 election priorities.
“I’ve been a councillor for eight years and watched two different mayors disappoint our residents and taxpayers,” said Annis. “The never-ending police transition is in year eight, people don’t feel safe, rising taxes are hurting families and businesses, city hall isn’t transparent or accountable, and infrastructure isn’t keeping pace with growth.”
Annis said the Surrey First platform was built after more than two dozen community roundtables, knocking on more than 55,000 doors across the city, and talking face-to-face with voters.
“We started our campaign a year ago so we could listen,” said Annis. “The result is a platform that respects taxpayers, makes public safety job one, and lays out a plan to grow our economy and provide more local jobs with less commuting to other cities.
“There is also a $1.8 billion investment in major community facilities, including a police training centre, a Surrey Conference Centre and Surrey Performing Arts Centre at City Centre, a Cloverdale Trade and Exhibition Centre plus a Multi-Sport and Aquatic Centre at the Cloverdale Fairgrounds.
“We also want to provide free access to pools, rinks, gyms and community centres for 280,000 Surrey kids and seniors, teach 60,000 children to swim by age 10, launch a one-year pilot with longer service counter hours at city hall, and have a public question period at every council meeting, something that doesn’t exist today.”
Annis said she will carry out a modernization review within 90 days of being elected and has said there will be no residential or business property tax increase in 2027.
“Hiring an independent Auditor General, something every big city in the country has, is an important part of making city hall more transparent and accountable, which is definitely missing right now,” said Annis.
“I want to end the habit of our past two mayors who bragged about modest tax increases, then disguised additional increases as levies or fees, even though taxpayers saw the double-digit truth on their annual tax bill.”
Annis said the 1000-delegate Surrey Conference Centre and 2,000-seat Surrey Performing Arts Centre provide a bigger economic impact than Brenda Locke’s 10,000-seat arena for a junior hockey team with 4,000 fans per game.
“A concert or hockey game at the arena lasts three hours while a conference lasts three days, with every delegate worth more than $1000 to our local economy, including hotels, restaurants, taxis, and retailers,” said Annis. “And because we are going to build using Public Private Partnerships (P3) we’re making sure the financial exposure of our taxpayers is defined upfront and limited. Our contribution to projects will focus on long-term leasing of city-owned land. We will never sell city lands, but we will leverage our land to help build and grow major city facilities and our economy.”
Annis said there are still too many Surrey residents spending too much time commuting to jobs in other cities, taking time away from their families.
“We are going to be the first city in BC to have one million residents,” explained Annis. “A strong and growing business sector is key to our future, and a larger business tax base helps relieve pressure on residential taxes. Growing our business sector means becoming the most business-friendly city in the region, cutting red tape, and making it easier to do business here.
“You can’t just put out the welcome mat, you have to demonstrate in real and practical ways that we are ready to talk business in Surrey, starting with a clear focus on specific sectors where Surrey has natural advantages.”
Annis said Agri-tech and food processing, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and business services are among the sectors important to Surrey’s business futures.
“We also want to employ more technology to make doing business at city hall easier, including an Amazon-style tracking system for permits, applications, inspections and other interactions with the city,” said Annis. “We also want measurable customer service standards, because what gets measured gets done and too many of our residents are frustrated with city hall and the time it takes to get things done.”
Under Surrey First, city councillors will receive mandate letters, the same way provincial and federal cabinet ministers have their portfolios, responsibilities and expectations spelled out.
“I want councillors to take on some responsibility for helping to shape and deliver important city services that are delivered to our residents,” noted Annis.
“Nine pairs of hands on council can get a lot more done, so every councillor regardless of party will be offered the chance to help. Once we are elected to council, I want to put politics in the rearview mirror and get to work putting our city first.”
Annis said voters have a real and very distinct choice this election.
“When I ask people on their doorstep if they think our city is better off today than four or eight years ago, the answer is, no,” said Annis. “Surrey families want to be proud of their city, they want safer streets, an affordable place to live, and more parks and pools and rinks for their kids, and the chance to work closer to home. They want to be optimistic, and they want to know better days are ahead. That’s what voting day is all about. It’s the chance to use your vote and speak up about the future you want for Surrey and your family.”