Surrey votes: Meet the 2026 mayoral candidates

Seven candidates are running to be mayor in the Surrey municipal election.

The Runner interviewed four of seven candidates: Igal Ammons II from New Surrey+, Honveer Singh Randhawa of the Conservative Party of Surrey, Imagine Surrey’s Mike Starchuk, and Troy Van Vliet representing Surrey Now.

Surrey First candidate and city councilor Linda Annis, incumbent Brenda Locke for Surrey Connect, and former mayor and Safe Surrey Coalition candidate Doug McCallum did not respond to interview requests from The Runner.

Eligible voters can cast their ballots on general voting day on Oct. 17 or the two remaining advance voting days — Oct. 14 and 15 — at select locations. Polls are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on all days.

Voters must present either a voter card and one piece of valid identification or two pieces of ID. Voting locations can be found on voters cards or at my.surrey.ca/elections. Curbside voting is available at all locations, and many locations have multi-lingual election officials to aid voters.

The following responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Igal Ammons II & New Surrey+

Why are you running for mayor?

I’m running because there is a lot of pain, disappointment, and despair among graduates and seniors. The way we’re running this show is running this city into the ground, and as a family counselor, I’m running to turn this sinking ship around.

What issues do you think are most important to students?

When I talk to students, it’s anything ranging from affordability to the safety of homeless people — young people care about those things. We’re going to address those issues, solve them for young people, and then turn the leadership over to them.

With homelessness, it takes five steps to solve it. The first step is to create a board for funding with three members: one each from the municipality, the province, and the federal government.

The second step is a board made of non-profit organizers, two homeless people, and a person from city hall. They will be able to give us the raw statistics of what’s going on.

The third step is to open a wellness centre. There’s five steps, but I can’t tell you the other two.

Why should students vote for you?

Our party is the only party offering students these two options: home ownership and leadership.

Many times kids graduate and they have nothing. They have no job and have to wait for their parents to die to get something. If kids have been paying rent consistently for one year, we use the same as a down payment for a home. In 20 years, the place is paid for and theirs. They don’t have to go get a bank loan.

We’re running for one term. We’re going to bring these kids on board, so they can be with us from day one to see how we are solving problems. We don’t want eternal power. By voting for us, they free themselves.

Honveer Singh Randhawa & the Conservative Party of Surrey

Why are you running for mayor?

It’s not out of choice, it’s out of necessity. The current mayor and council have wasted so much time and money on the police transition, and all the shenanigans to stop the transition.

I was one of the main people who started a protest on 88 Avenue and King George Boulevard. We were there for three months. Our main goal was that the city should hear, respect, and understand that leaving the South Asian community, many of whom were impacted by extortions, to deal with safety problems is not acceptable.

What issues do you think are most important to students?

I feel like many students believe there is no point in giving input. They feel like the people who are getting elected as mayor and council are older and have no connection to them.

I hear it again and again from the 20 to 25 age group that there are no entertainment districts. When I was that age, we used to go to Vancouver to have fun on Granville Street, but we have nothing like that in Surrey.

Affordable housing is also something every single council and mayor has to address.

Why should students vote for you?

As a Conservative, my main goal is accountability and transparency from city hall. It benefits all the age groups because we have more money, ability to invest that money, and relatability with the government.

I’m 39. I can understand both older and younger adults.

I will definitely go out of my way to make sure that young adults have a voice on their vision in the city, and they can develop the city with me the way they want to.

Mike Starchuk & Imagine Surrey

Why are you running for mayor?

I’ve been thinking about running for mayor for 13 years — ever since I grabbed the mikeformayor.ca URL.

What issues do you think are most important to students?

Housing and transportation are important. For KPU’s student housing, I’d love to see more housing options expanded to the Cloverdale campus.

Imagine Surrey has a very robust transportation plan. The city has become car-centric. If students have to use a bus to get from point A to point B or a taxi, we have plans for that.

We need to add a stop at Highway 10 and King George Boulevard for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) from Surrey Centre to South Surrey. We know that the BRT line will be the business plan for SkyTrain in the future, and obviously, if money was not the object, we would be jumping up and down to get another SkyTrain in Surrey.

We also want to make sure that you know our small business economy is well-positioned to hire students on a part-time basis, should they want that added income while going to school.

Why should students vote for you?

I traveled the entire province for four years, and I got to hear from student bodies from different institutions. I understand the large amounts international students pay compared to domestic students, and the benefits they bring to others and themselves by studying here.

Our post secondary institutions have had to pivot because of funding challenges. But it’s not the international students’ fault, it’s 100 per cent these post secondary institutions that were collecting money and fees and treating them like cash cows.

It’s difficult for international students, and the changes I wish to bring to Surrey is what sets me apart from other candidates.

Troy Van Vliet & Surrey Now

Why are you running for mayor?

When I led an independent school project in South Surrey for 15 years, I worked with many volunteers. It was a true test of my leadership skills. I saw the difference I’ve made in this project and how many lives it will affect over the next 100 years.

I think Surrey could use a new generation of leadership, and I’m willing to throw my hat in the ring.

What issues do you think are most important to students?

Cost of living is a massive issue in this country, and Surrey is no exception. We are losing our kids — they are moving away to seek better job opportunities and a more affordable community.

Surrey Now put together a rent-to-own program to give our young people hope for homeownership in Surrey. If we can’t give them an opportunity to afford to live, own a home, and raise a family here, why would they want to stay in Surrey? If they end up leaving, then we’ve lost our most precious asset.

Why should students vote for you?

We are the only slate running a school board. Most people are not happy with the way schools have been progressing in Surrey. We have to work with our budgets and infrastructure because band programs are being cut in elementary schools and we have nearly 400 portables.

Surrey has the largest school district in B.C., and we have to advocate to make sure we’re getting the proper funding. That’s a major reason for our youth on why they should vote for us.