From housing to safety, Surrey’s city decisions impact your daily life. Here’s why staying informed and involved in local politics matters more than ever.
Big Impact Starts at City Hall
When most people think of politics, images of Ottawa or national debates come to mind. But in Surrey, the decisions that shape your daily life are made much closer to home—inside Surrey City Hall. From the traffic on your commute to the taxes on your property, local politics plays a powerful, often overlooked role in shaping your community.
Development Decisions Shape Your Neighbourhood
Surrey’s mayor and councillors make critical decisions about how land is used and developed. Their votes determine where new residential and commercial projects are built, which green spaces are preserved, and how infrastructure like sidewalks, roads, and parks are prioritized. These choices are why some neighbourhoods, like Fleetwood, see rapid growth while others remain unchanged.
City Services That Affect You Every Day
Local government is responsible for many essential services that residents use daily. In Surrey, this includes waste collection, road repairs, recreation centres, libraries, and even emergency services. Whether it’s a delay on King George Boulevard or a new swimming pool in Newton, these are decisions made not in Victoria or Ottawa—but at the municipal level.
Safety and Health Begin with Local Leadership
While hospitals are funded by the province, public safety and health programs are heavily influenced by city policy. Surrey’s ongoing debate over keeping the RCMP or transitioning fully to the Surrey Police Service is one of the city’s most consequential issues. City council also shapes mental health initiatives, harm reduction strategies, and emergency preparedness systems.
Transportation Is a Local Concern
Transit planning in Surrey relies on collaboration between the city, TransLink, and the province—but city council drives local implementation. From supporting the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain to deciding where bike lanes and bus hubs go, councillors shape how residents travel. If you’ve ever struggled with parking rules or congestion, you’ve experienced the effects of municipal decisions.
Housing Affordability Begins with Zoning
With housing costs a major concern across Metro Vancouver, Surrey City Council plays a pivotal role in easing—or worsening—the crisis. Local government approves development projects, controls density rules, and influences timelines for construction. Decisions made at City Hall directly impact whether there are affordable housing options near where people live and work.
Schools and Classrooms Are Local Priorities
In a young and growing city like Surrey, school infrastructure is vital. While the province handles funding and curriculum, local school trustees—elected during municipal elections—decide where new schools are built and how overcrowding is addressed. Issues like access to mental health support and classroom resources also fall under their authority.
Your Voice Carries More Weight Locally
In local politics, individual engagement goes a long way. With fewer voters participating, each ballot has more impact. Surrey residents can directly contact councillors, attend public meetings, or rally community support for change. For example, parent advocacy recently led to improved school safety zones in some neighbourhoods—proof that action at the local level works.
Low Voter Turnout, High Stakes
In the last municipal election, only 35% of Surrey’s eligible voters cast a ballot. That means a small portion of the population decided the direction of the entire city. Whether it’s property taxes, transit routes, school plans, or public safety—local politics touches every part of daily life.
Get Involved and Make a Difference
Want to influence your neighbourhood’s future? Here’s how:
✔️ Learn who your mayor, councillors, and school trustees are
✔️ Visit www.surrey.ca for council meeting updates
✔️ Attend or livestream council sessions
✔️ Speak up on community issues
✔️ Vote in every municipal election
Your city is shaped by the decisions made today. Stay informed, stay engaged—and make sure your voice is heard.
