Slate of ten candidates includes cabinet ministers, police officers, labour advocates and community champions

The BC NDP today announced that it has completed its nomination process for its slate of candidates in Surrey.

These 10 community champions represent a huge cross-section of Surrey society. A mix of long-standing veterans and first-time candidates, they are well-placed to tackle the challenges that we know Surrey faces: delivering housing you can afford, healthcare when you need it, and a more affordable day-to-day life.

The BC NDP's candidates in Surrey are:

• Jinny Sims (Surrey-Panorama)
• Jagrup Brar (Surrey-Fleetwood)
• Baltej Singh Dhillon (Surrey-Serpentine River)
• Mike Starchuk (Surrey-Cloverdale)
• Jessie Sunner (Surrey-Newton)
• Amna Shah (Surrey City Centre)
• Darryl Walker (Surrey-White Rock)
• Haroon Ghaffar (Surrey South)
• Garry Begg (Surrey-Guildford)
• Rachna Singh (Surrey North)

The two most recently nominated candidates, Jessie Sunner and Amna Shah, replace retiring Surrey MLAs Harry Bains and Bruce Ralston. Sunner and Shah are both deeply connected to their communities, fighting for labour rights, serving in community organizations and connecting government to diverse communities.

“Jessie Sunner has spent her career fighting for better working conditions for healthcare workers — for the people who care for us and our loved ones when they are sick,” said Harry Bains, the outgoing MLA in Surrey-Newton. “She is a tremendously accomplished legal professional and a pillar of the community, serving on the boards of the South Asian Bar Association, the BC Canadian Bar Association Human Rights Law Section, and the BC College of Social Workers. The people of Surrey-Newton can count on Jessie to be in their corner to fight for them.”

“Amna Shah has worked for years to connect diverse communities in Surrey, and across BC, to their government. She knows and understands people’s issues, and acts to make things better,” added Bruce Ralson, outgoing MLA for Surrey-Whalley. “As a Director of the Surrey Food Bank, she’s also taken action directly to ensure that everyone in Surrey can have nutritious food to eat. She will fight for the people of Surrey City Centre every day.”

Since forming government in July 2017, the BC NDP has taken action on issues that matter to the people of Surrey. It has ended unfair bridge tolls and the Medical Services Premium, cut ICBC rates, is building the new Cloverdale hospital and expanding Surrey Memorial, built and expanded many new schools, implemented more protections for gig workers and reduced the red tape associated with new housing construction, creating more housing options for people in their home communities.

Election Day is October 19, 2024.