Riding profile: Surrey-Whalley

Ryan Abbott – Communist Party of BC 

According to his party Facebook page, “Ryan is an Industrial Painter & Sandblaster, an active trade unionist, and member of the Communist Party of BC.” He, and the four Communist candidates, released a joint statement proclaiming their opposition to the Site C dam on October 6. The party’s platform calls for taxation of the wealthy, defunding the police, climate justice, gender equality, and other social justice initiatives.

Jag Bhandari – BC Vision 

Jag Bhandari is a KPU, BCIT, and UBC alumni and CEO of numerous companies, including Omax Realty, Jollywood Productions, and One Vision One World Immigration Services.

His platform says “no” to violence, worsening traffic, corruption, discrimination, stereotyping, and stagnation. He says “yes” to COVID-19  prevention awareness, promoting communal harmony, technology school for seniors, environment-friendly BC, the establishment of One Vision One World, focus on health and education, planned and affordable housing projects, block watch, and promotion of multi-cultural events.

Shaukat Khan – BC Liberal Party 

Khan has been President of the Pakistan Canada Association for three and a half years and is involved in Tree Day campaigns. He is a member of the South Asain focus group for BC Children’s Hospital and participates in the Canadian Cancer Society’s Run For The Cure.

He believes that everyone is equal, should be respected, and should be able to live freely. On the BC Liberals website, Khan says that he will “champion diversity, and that includes the underprivileged and people with disabilities.”

Bruce Ralston – BC NDP 

Bruce Ralston is the current MLA for Surrey-Whalley and has been elected four times since 2005. He is also the current Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources.

He used to operate his law firm in Surrey and served as a member of the VanCity Savings Credit Union board of directors, Surrey Memorial Hospital board of directors, and the Surrey Public Library board of directors. He was chair of the board of VanCity Enterprises, which provided housing solutions.

“As a father of three, Bruce works hard to make life in BC more affordable, to protect the services we all count on, and to keep building a sustainable economy that works for everyone,” says the BC NDP website. “As the Minister of Jobs, Trade, and Technology, he has been proud to stand up for BC workers and good-paying jobs that last.”

No Conservative Party candidates have been announced to date.