SURREY Mayor Doug McCallum and his Safe Surrey Coalition on Thursday launched their campaign and announced their full slate.
Four new members will be joining incumbent councillors Doug Elford, Laurie Guerra, Allison Patton and Mandeep Nagra on the slate:
* John Gibeau, who was a police officer for Burnaby RCMP and the New Westminster Municipal Police Department and has been an agricultural business owner in Cloverdale since 2000,
* Debra Antifaev, the Director of Families for Early Autism Treatment of BC who served on the steering committee of The Pacific Autism Family Network;
* Raman Jassar, a young entrepreneur who has extensive business experience in commercial banking and management; and
* Stuart Drysdale, who has worked for over 15 years in senior leadership roles, both in strategic planning and operational execution in various divisions such as aviation, provincial contracts, municipal contracts, and event management.
Photo by JAY SHARMA of Mahi Photo Studio
MCCALLUM, who is running for his fifth term as Mayor, made it clear to its residents that he has no plans to slow down.
The Safe Surrey Coalition (SSC) points out that with over 13 years of tested experience as the Mayor of Surrey, McCallum is recognized among residents as a leader who consistently delivers on all of his promises.
His long history of public service to the City has created lasting impact and meaningful results for anyone who calls Surrey home. His most recent accomplishments include cancelling the LRT project and securing the entire $4 billion to extend the SkyTrain to Langley, as well as leading Surrey City Council to unanimously approve the creation of the local Surrey Police Service.
The SSC says that it stands to reason that McCallum’s steadfast determination and political savvy have led to strong relationships with Surrey residents and trust amongst city leaders. His reliable consistency and exhaustive list of major achievements have led to this year’s campaign slogan:
DOUG GETS IT DONE.
With a simple yet bold platform, McCallum and the SSC candidates say they look forward to executing, once again on this election’s promises, which include:
• Extending the Skytrain to Newton
• Investing in capital projects and infrastructure
• Building middle-class attainable housing
The Mayor and the Safe Surrey Coalition made it clear that this is what the residents want and what the City of Surrey needs.
Along with the extension of the SkyTrain to Newton, the party is doubling down on their climate action, announcing that the current policy to achieve net zero by 2050 will be expedited to 2030.
The party believes that the SkyTrain project will play a critical role in helping achieve this goal by significantly reducing carbon emissions and empowering residents to use active transportation.
For most politicians, promises like this would seem insincere and unrealistic, but the SSC says McCallum has proven to the City of Surrey that he is not your average politician.
McCallum said: “I have never wanted to be the typical politician. The type of leader who is always thinking about how to win the next election. People are weary and tired of public servants who overpromise and underdeliver. When you say you’re going to do something, you should do it. That’s what real leaders do.”
McCallum’s leadership has delivered record investments in 46 capital projects. Surrey now enjoys new community centres, ice rinks, swimming pools, track & turf fields, and picnic shelters, all while keeping property taxes low and maintaining a balanced budget.
IN the 2018 election, Surrey residents asked McCallum to build infrastructure that had previously been neglected for up to 30 years, such as extending the SkyTrain all the way to Langley and replacing the Bailey Bridge on King George Highway. He delivered on all those promises and more, notes the SSC.
On October 15, McCallum is seeking another four-year term.
The Safe Surrey Coalition says its platform includes many exciting projects, such as:
- Fast-tracking approvals for SkyTrain extension down King George Boulevard to Newton
- Building additional community centres with pools and ice rinks
- Approving housing projects that create attainable and affordable housing
- Continuing to invest in road infrastructure to reduce traffic congestion
- Extending 72nd Avenue through to 176th Street
- Building on Surrey’s achievements in environmental sustainability
For more information on McCallum and the Safe Surrey Coalition, contact: info@safesurreycoalition.ca.
WHAT THE TEAM SAYS:
Doug Elford: “For 30 years the community of Newton has been asking for a new community centre and a new 84th road connector that would reduce congestion on 88th Avenue and make their commutes safer, we listened and delivered both. We are committed to building new community centres with pools and new road infrastructure that will allow for quicker and safer commutes in our city.”
Laurie Guerra: “Unlike typical politicians who make promises to voters and don’t deliver once into office, Safe Surrey Coalition is a coalition that makes a promise and delivers. Our track on delivering SkyTrain and a local police force in record time is proof of our commitment to Surrey Residents that want to see results.”
Mandeep Nagra: “Safe Surrey Coalition has strong record of supporting small businesses and creating jobs for Surrey residents. We recently approved the Campbell Heights plan that will create 20,000 stable jobs and generate $20M in annual tax revenue that will help fund new roads and community centres with new ice sheets”
Allison Patton: “Safe Surrey Coalition made a promise to build healthy communities and we delivered on our promise by building the longest walking track in the province at the Newton Athletic Park, resurfacing the South Surrey Athletic Park, and building new community centres.”
Stuart Drysdale: “The last four years have inspired him to get involved and run for Council with the Safe Surrey Coalition because, for the first time, we have had a Mayor and Council deliver on what they promised during the election, while continuing to invest in the largest capital budget in Surrey’s history.”
Raman Jassar: “The Safe Surrey Coalition cares, acts and delivers on its platform promises to Surrey residents. Mayor Doug McCallum showed his experience when he strove to deliver the SkyTrain in record time. It’s time for Surrey to have a SkyTrain to Newton that will reduce congestion and greenhouse gas emissions in our City.”
Debra Antifaev: “Doug McCallum and Safe Surrey Coalition have shown they are the party that acts and delivers, they are the party that gets it done. I am excited to put my name forward with Safe Surrey Coalition because I have door knocked and volunteered for so many politicians over the years and I have heard from folks that politicians talk but never deliver. It is to my surprise that Doug McCallum actually has delivered on every single campaign promise in record time, which I have never seen from a politician before.
“I am passionate about housing – for everyone. Supported housing for the disabled, reasonable rental housing, and affordable housing for the middle class. I have no doubts that, with Safe Surrey Coalition, I can fulfill my passion and get it done for the people of Surrey. I’ve attended conventions, written, and presented resolutions, and lobbied the government for people with disabilities – I think it’s time I actually join the decision makers.”
John Gibeau: “I am proud to run as a councillor for the Safe Surrey Coalition. Promises that were made during the 2018 campaign, which include extending SkyTrain to Langley and the transition of the police force, were achieved. As a person of action, I admire that, and will do my part to move Surrey forward into the largest and most progressive city in British Columbia.”
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