As anticipated, the big city of Surrey played a decisive role in the outcome of the 2024 B.C. Election. Heading into this election the New Democratic Party under leader David Eby had their MLA's in charge of seven of the nine Surrey ridings, with the Conservative Party holding only two seats. Trevor Halford in Surrey-White Rock and Eleanor Sturko in Surrey-South had both joined the Conservatives after originally winning their seats as provincial Liberals in 2001 before that party rebranded as the United party. With riding boundary changes and the new riding of Surrey-Serpentine River, there were 10 ridings in total up for grabs. With the contentious Surrey police transition plan, afford ability and housing issues, the ever increasing carbon tax, legalized drug use and crime concerns, plus SOGI discontent, the NDP were facing public backlash and a demand for change in Victoria.
From the very first results, it was apparent that the NDP were in trouble in Surrey, with many of the Conservative candidates in the lead. As more polls were reported, the gap closed quickly and it became a neck and neck race between the two main B.C. political parties. Long into the night the numbers continued to change with the final result seeing the B.C. NDP leading in 46 ridings, the BC. Conservatives in 45 and the B.C.Greens in 2, leaving all parties short of the majority number of 47 ridings. In Surrey, the upstart Conservatives took seven of the ridings leaving the NDP holding on to only three ridings. There are 49,000 ballots still remaining to be counted next weekend including mail-in ballots received after advance voting was closed and out-of-district ballots that need to be certified. Of the five ridings in B.C. that were too close to call, two are in Surrey, with Surrey-Guildford sitting at 102 vote differential and Surrey-City Centre at a 96 vote differential.
Here are the current results to date for the 10 Surrey and White Rock ridings:
Surrey-White Rock
Conservative incumbent Trevor Halford appears to have been elected in the riding that he won by a mere 255 votes in 2020 as a Liberal candidate. He received 14,257 ballots or 52.5% of the votes over the NDP's Darryl Walker, the former Mayor of White Rock, who received 12,260 votes or 45% per cent of the total. Libertarian candidate Damyn Tassie got 646 votes to date.
Surrey South
Conservative Brent Chapman looks to have easily won Surrey South with 12,465 votes or 59 per cent of the ballot, even after being dogged by the media over negative social media comments he made years ago. The NDP's Haroon Ghaffar received 8,623 votes, which was 41% of the ballots. With his confirmation as the Surrey South MLA, Brent will join his wife MP Kerri Lynn-Findlay as the proverbial political powerhouse couple in the Semi-Pen.
Surrey-Panorama
In a hard-fought battle focused on drugs and crime Conservative Bryan Tepper, who is a retired RCMP officer, got 8,527 votes or 50% of the total ballots. He beat out NDP incumbent Jimmy Sims who had held the riding since 2017 and captured a respectable 8,175 votes or 48% of the ballot. In third place was Freedom Party of B.C Paramjit Rai who got 397 votes or 2% of the ballots.
Surrey-Cloverdale
Conservative Elanor Sturko, who was previously the Surrey-South MLA for B.C. United, looks to have won this riding with 10,004 votes or 49% of the ballot She beat out incumbent NDP MLA Mike Starchuk who got 9,330 votes or 46% of the ballots cast. Green contender Pat McCutcheon captured 1,041 votes, while Freedom Party of B.C.’s Judy Meilleur finished a distant third at 149 votes.
Surrey-Serpentine
Former Surrey Mayor Linda Hepner running under the Conservative banner appears to have been victorious taking 9,550 votes or almost 50% of the ballots cast. She beat out the decorated former RCMP officer Baltej Dhillon who had 9,034 votes or 47% of the total. Independent candidate and former teacher Jim McMurtry received 542 votes or less than 2% of the vote. This riding includes portions of Surrey-Cloverdale, Surrey-Panorama, and Surrey-Fleetwood that the NDP all won in 2020.
Surrey-Newton
Jessie Sunner, a human rights and labour lawyer, held the long-time NDP riding of Surrey-Newton with 7,632 votes or 51% of the ballots. She beat out the Conservative candidate and Radio Punjab host Tegjot Bal who received 6,506 votes or 43.3% of the total. Freedom Party of B.C. candidate Amrit Birring got 365 votes, not affiliated Japreet Lehal received 337 votes and independent Joginder Singh Randhawa got 186 votes.
Surrey-Guildford
Surrey-Guildford was a nail biter with newcomer Conservative Honveer Singh Randhawa finishing first with 8,671 votes or 47.1%. She has apparently beat out incumbent NDP Garry Begg, a retired RCMP officer who received 8,569 votes or 46.6% of the ballots. With only 102 votes separating them, this result may change or be eligible for a judicial review. Green Party candidate Manjeet Singh Sahota got 791 votes or 4.3% ahead of Independent Kabir Qurban with 365 votes or 2%.
Surrey-Fleetwood
Long-time NDP incumbent Jagrup Brar appears to have won this riding again, taking 9,574 votes or 48% of the ballot. First time Conservative Avtar Gill received a respectable 8,988 votes or 45% of the ballot. Green candidate Tim Binnema got 1,286 votes or 6% of the total ballots cast in this three-way race.
Surrey City Centre
It was a very close race in Surrey City Centre with the lead shifting back and forth throughout the evening. When counting stopped NDP Amna Shah, a community advocate, had secured 6,439 votes or 46.2% of the ballots. She beat out Conservative Zeeshan Wahla, a professional engineer, with 6,343 votes or 45.6% of the ballots. With only 96 votes currently separating them this result may change or be eligible for a judicial review. Also running were B.C. Green candidate Colin Boyd with 845 votes or 6.1% plus independent Saeed Naguib at 155 votes and Ryan Abbott of the Communist party at 143 votes.
Surrey-North
Conservative Mandeep Dhaliwal, a local businessman, won the new riding of Surrey-North with 7,729 votes or 51% of the ballots. The NDP's candidate Rachna Singh received 6,467 votes or 43% of the total despite her having previously been elected twice in Surrey-Green Timbers. The new riding of Surrey-North consists of portions of both the Surrey-Whalley and Surrey-Green Timber ridings.
To all of the people who threw their hat in the ring to run for office, their campaign staffers and many volunteers, I'd like to thank you for taking the time and putting your energy into being part of our democratic system of governance. It serves as a report card to those in power, a chance to send a message that 'we the people' are not happy, or the opportunity to give them the bum's rush out the door. As someone who has run for office twice and with many friends across the political spectrum, my hat is off to you. Next up will be the 45th Canadian federal election that will take place on or before October 20, 2025. My bet is it will likely be in less than a year's time.
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo people.
Surrey council increases fireworks fines ahead of Halloween and Diwali
During the Regular Council Meeting last Monday, Surrey City Council voted to approve significant increases to fines related to the sale and use of fireworks ahead of Halloween and Diwali celebrations.
In Surrey, the discharge of fireworks require federal certification and permits from the Surrey Fire Service.
“The increased penalties will help prevent reckless actions and encourage everyone to follow the law,” said Joey Jatinder Singh Brar, General Manager, Corporate Services. “These changes also give bylaw officers and police the tools they need to better manage firework risks. We are reminding all residents that only those with the right permits should use fireworks, and those who break the rules will face significant fines."
Under the current regulations, fines for fireworks violations have been relatively low, with maximums reaching $500. To address this, the City is proposing substantial amendments to the Fireworks Bylaw, Bylaw Enforcement Notice (BEN) Bylaw, and Municipal Ticket Information (MTI) Bylaw. Key changes include:
· Increasing the minimum penalty for fireworks violations from $100 to $400 and the maximum penalty from $5,000 to $50,000.
· Raising the maximum MTI fine for violations of the Fireworks Bylaw to $1,000, which will facilitate more rigorous enforcement.
· Increased penalties under the BEN Bylaw to ensure better compliance and community safety.
Review Surrey's fireworks regulations and learn how to apply for a fireworks/pyrotechnics permit here.
Salmong Spawning Locally
The Little Campbell Fish Hatchery was busy over the weekend with the big rain bringing the spawning salmon up the river. Volunteers are manning the fish fence, counting the salmon and selecting some for hatchery breeding. You can check out the return of coho and chinook to the Semiahmoo Fish & Game Club at 1284 184 St in South Surrey. Check out their website at SFGC.info for more details.
October 20, 2024
B.C. Election Results: Race too close to call;
Voters failed to deliver a clear result Last evening with the NDP one seat ahead of the Conservatives and a handful of recounts possible.
B.C. Election Results: Seven of 10 Surrey ridings go Conservative
Surrey-White Rock
Incumbent Trevor Halford won re-election in Surrey-White Rock, Halford managed to draw 14,255 votes, 52 per cent of the total, over NDP contender Darryl Walker, a former White Rock mayor, who took 12,260 votes. Libertarian candidate Damyn Tassie received only 646 votes.
Surrey South
Conservative Brent Chapman won Surrey South with 12,465 votes, 59 per cent of the ballot, over NDP newcomer Haroon Ghaffar with 8,623 votes,
Surrey-Panorama
Incumbent Surrey-Panorama MLA Jinny Sims appears to have lost to her seat to tough-on-crime newcomer candidate Bryan Tepper, a retired Mountie, who took 8,527 votes, 50 per cent of the total with all polls reporting.
Surrey-Cloverdale
Sturko, who was the Surrey-South MLA for B.C. United secured Surrey-Cloverdale for the Conservatives with 10,004 votes and 49 per cent of the ballot unseating incumbent NDP MLA Mike Starchuk, who took 9,330 votes
With heavy rain in the forecast this weekend, you can help prevent localized flooding by clearing catch basins near your home or business. Use a long-handled tool such as a rake, broom or shovel to clear away any debris. To report any issues, visit
The BC Sports Hall of Fame is thrilled to share the news that legendary broadcaster and White Rock resident Jim Hughson has been selected for induction in 2025 in the Media category.
Christine Sinclair, Ray Ferraro and the 2000 BC Lions are among the other inductees.
Residing in White Rock, he is one of hockey’s most recognizable play-by-play voices. Over 40+ years in broadcast booths across North America providing the play-by-play soundtrack for some of the biggest moments in recent hockey history. Worked sixteen years as a play-by-play broadcaster on Hockey Night in Canada (2005-21), including the final 13 years as HNIC’s lead announcer calling every Stanley Cup Final in that time. Also called games at the 2006 and 2014 Winter Olympics, the 1991 World Junior Championships, and several NHL All-Star Games and Winter Classics. Earlier in his career served as TSN’s lead hockey and baseball play-by-play broadcaster, 1987-94, covering the NHL as well as Toronto Blue Jays and Montreal Expos games. An early big break came as Jim Robson’s occasional replacement for Vancouver Canucks radio broadcasts on CKNW, 1979-82. Later succeeded Robson as CKNW’s Canucks play-by-play announcer, 1994-99. Served as CTV/Rogers Sportsnet’s Canucks play-by-play voice from 1998-2008. Recipient of the NHL Broadcasters Association’s Foster Hewitt Memorial Award in 2019.
October 16, 2024
Johnston Road Phase 2 Update
Construction is moving forward with work continuing on sidewalk features. The new water main has successfully passed all tests and work on water main tie ins and service connections will start next week which will require road closures.
The closures will be broken into phases to keep the intersection from being completely shut down:
Have questions about the progress of the Johnston Road Construction Project?
A coffee shop chat will be held at the White Rock Community Center on October 22 from 9 to 10 a.m. City staff will be present to discuss the project progress and answer any questions that residents and business owners have. RSVP at https://tinyurl.com/4tn57pse .
Check Out The Night Sky
Here is a picture of the A3 ( C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-ATLAS ) comet that is visible now.
The picture was taken at Kwomais Point Park on October 12 at about 7:45 pm with an IPhone and a 3 second exposure.
The comet should be visible for most of October. I could not see it with the naked eye but it was quite visible with a pair of binoculars. The picture may be helpful to show where in the sky to find it. The lights of Tsawwassen are just below and to the left of the comet.
Best Regards,
Art Scheffler
October 15, 2024
More trouble for Local BC Conservative candidate
South Surrey White rock Conservative candidate BRENT CHAPMAN
A Surrey BC Conservative candidate is facing renewed pressure to drop out of the race after more offensive social media comments surfaced.
But in a statement posted to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), South Surrey candidate Brent Chapman says he has no plans to withdraw.
BNSF railway will be conducting vegetation control beginning next Monday October 14. The spraying of glysophate will be administered along the entire length of the rail line from the Peace Arch to the rail bridge in Crescent Beach.
BNSF will do everything in their power to ensure the toxic spray will not spread any further than the rocky rail bed along our waterfront. Those with breathing concerns should consider staying way from the waterfront during the spray period.
What is surprising to me over the past month is we are having a Provincial election this Saturday and it seems all anyone wants to talk about is DONALD TRUMP and the forthcoming election in America in 3 weeks.
The tsunami wave of U.S. media exposure is daunting to say the least. More concerning to me is the fascination our Canadian media has with the U.S. election. Is it sexier? Is it more violent? Is it easier to scoop sound bites? I am not sure but I am concerned about the turnout for the provincial election this Saturday. The advance polls reported a big turn out this year. That hopefully is an indicator we will have a higher percentage of voters involved in this election.
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