Adding local educational options critical to city retaining youth and families as residents, says Mayor Doug McCallum

THE Safe Surrey Coalition’ said on Tuesday that it’s first-term benchmarks for the future (Public Safety, Transportation, Smart Development and Education) are now rounded out with the announcement of the expansion of the University of British Columbia (UBC) into Surrey.

The purchase of three acres of land near Surrey Memorial Hospital sets a path for another significant addition to Surrey’s educational options for young people looking to build a future in the community in which they grew up.

The announcement represents a multi-year recruitment effort by the Safe Surrey Coalition caucus and a critical component for sustainable growth, said McCallum.

“I was Mayor when SFU came to Surrey and have seen the huge effect that institution has had on residents’ plans for a long-term future in this community,” noted McCallum. “Today’s announcement by UBC is a part of the Safe Surrey Coalition’s strategic plan to build a city where young people and young families can envision a path forward without having to leave the city.”

With those attending UBC are forced into choosing between long daily commutes or moving out of Surrey altogether, this is a positive development for students charting their educational trajectory, according to Surrey Councillor Allison Patton.

“With a daughter that will graduate from high school over the next few years, I as a parent am pleased that Surrey’s students will have more local choices for the continuation of their education,” said Patton. “Family support and togetherness is something that many young people want to maintain during their post-secondary pursuits, and UBC’s upcoming Surrey campus will help to better facilitate that aspiration.”

The Safe Surrey Coalition said that the transition to the truly local Surrey Police Service, the construction currently under way on the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension, balanced and smart local development policy-making and increasing local educational institutions are the four critical pillars of its vision for Surrey’s livable future.

Surrey Councillor Laurie Guerra said that she is proud of these tangible accomplishments that will have a direct and immense impact on the quality of life for Surrey’s residents.

“From bringing local decision-making back to public safety to securing the first major transit infrastructure in 35 years to attracting yet another world-class post-secondary hub, we have laid a strong foundation for many generations to come,” added Guerra. “The legacy of these additions to Surrey will ensure we are well-positioned to emerge as BC’s most populous city over the next decade.”