Riding profile: Surrey-Newton

(Kristen Frier)

Paul Boparai (BC Liberals)

Paul Boparai grew up in Surrey and is currently raising his family there. He’s involved in local clubs such as Surrey Lions Field Hockey Association, Guru Nanak’s Free Kitchen, and the South Asian Business Association.

Boparai has an undergraduate degree in Marketing Management and Advanced Business studies from BCIT. He completed the Certified Financial Planner Designation and the Chartered Life Underwriter Designation. He has worked as an insurance and financial advisor for the last 18 years and runs a business, PB Wealth Management.

On his Facebook, Boparai posted announcements for the B.C. Liberal party investing in public safety and for the construction of a second hospital in Surrey.

Harry Bains (BC NDP)

Harry Bains has lived in Surrey for over 35 years and currently lives there with his family. He is also the Minister of Labour.

He has served as the Official Opposition spokesperson for Forests, Lands, and Natural Resources Operations and served on the Kwantlen University College Board of Governors from 1993-99. He spent three of those years as a vice-chair. Bains has been an elected officer of Steelworkers-IWA Canada Local 2171 for over 15 years and has volunteered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity.

On his Facebook, Bains said his hope is to continue serving the Surrey-Newton community by increasing resources in healthcare, childcare, and education and celebrating the diversity in the community. He also proposed a South Asian-Canadian museum “to document the history, art and contributions of South Asian people in B.C.”

Asad Syed (BC Green Party)

Asad Syed has lived in Surrey for 26 years and is a realtor and business owner. In 2018, he ran with the Independent Surrey Voters Association for Surrey City Council.

He is the founder and past president of the White Rock Muslim Association and served on the government relations committee for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. He also served on the Blended Visa Office Referred Syrian refugee sponsorship and settlement program.

In 2019, Syed fought with the City of Surrey to keep a calf in the backyard of his private residence in South Surrey while it was still being bottle-fed over the Christmas holiday.

No campaign statement was released before the publishing of this article.

No Conservative Party members have announced their candidacy at the time of writing.