Only 2 Conservative candidates attend as Eby pledges new Charter for Surrey

SURREY — Only two BC Conservatives candidates bothered to show up to Thursday evening’s Surrey–White Rock Board of Trade All Candidates Debate, showing a lack of respect for voters south of the Fraser. On the other hand, all ten of the BC NDP’s candidates attended and outlined David Eby’s plan to build B.C. Strong - including a new Surrey Charter.

The Conservative leader has dodged the media - and not answered for how he will pay for $5 billion of promises - and it appears his candidates in Surrey are largely following suit.

“I served as a director and chair of the Surrey Board of Trade, and I know how important it is for decision-makers to listen to local businesses,” said Stephen Dooley, BC NDP candidate for Surrey-Cloverdale. “If the Conservatives cannot show up to hear from Surrey’s business community, how can people expect them to show up for Surrey if they are elected?”

BC NDP candidates are continuing to outline their plan to address issues important to people in the region.

The new commitments include a Surrey City Charter with authority similar to Vancouver’s, free transit passes for seniors across B.C., and expanded bus rapid transit from Surrey to White Rock. Eby also pledged to lower gas prices by up to 30 cents a litre by suspending part of the provincial gas tax and regulating oil company profit margins.

Surrey is on track to become B.C.’s largest city, and it needs the tools to match its size. A Surrey City Charter will give local leaders greater authority to shape the city’s future and respond to housing, transit and infrastructure needs.

“Surrey needs local leaders with the tools to plan for the city’s growth,” said Amna Shah, BC NDP candidate for Surrey-City Centre. “A Surrey City Charter can help decision-makers respond to local needs in housing, transit and infrastructure, and plan for the parks and facilities Surrey families need and deserve.”

“People need reliable ways to get to work, school, and to move around the region at a cost they can manage,” said Jessie Sunner, BC NDP candidate for Surrey-Newton. “Expanding bus rapid transit from Surrey to White Rock, making transit free for low-income seniors and lowering gas prices will make it easier and more affordable for people to get where they need to go.”

The BC NDP’s commitments build on more than $12 billion in major investments in Surrey, more than in any other B.C. community. These include the Surrey–Langley SkyTrain, the new Pattullo replacement bridge, 38 new and expanded school projects with more than 16,000 student spaces, the new SFU Medical School, and the second Surrey hospital and BC Cancer Centre, now under construction.

“Surrey’s growth creates real economic opportunity, but we need to plan for it and make sure people can get to the jobs being created,” said Jagrup Brar, BC NDP candidate for Surrey-Fleetwood. “The Charter, transit expansion and investments in training and infrastructure can help Surrey grow and create more opportunities for people here.”

A plan to keep building Surrey also has to add up. Lorne Doerkson’s plan would cost at least $5 billion a year, including $200 million in tax breaks for the wealthiest British Columbians. He has also promised to cut the deficit, while Conservative MLA Tony Luck has said health care and education would “take the brunt” of aggressive spending cuts. The Conservatives have not explained how they would close that gap without putting local services and the projects that support Surrey’s growth at risk.