Mayor Brenda Locke on Thursday delivered her annual State of the City address, outlining priorities to manage rapid growth, strengthen public safety, and build the infrastructure needed for Surrey’s future as a major Canadian city.
The mayor announced two significant new safety initiatives:
- Public safety training campus: A new 15-acre training campus in Anniedale-Tynehead that will help train and prepare more specialized police, fire and emergency personnel.
- Hiring more public safety professionals: The City’s new public safety plan will add 560 police officers, firefighters, bylaw officers and other staff over the next five years. That means a stronger presence in neighbourhoods, faster response to local concerns, and more focus from police on more serious crimes.
“The State of the City commitments are about keeping residents and business owners safe and providing the capacity needed to serve an evolving city,” Mayor Locke said. “We are focused on creating a future that allows people to build better lives here in Surrey. That work is already underway as we deliver the infrastructure and services needed to support growth.”
Other key highlights from the mayor’s address include:
- New convention centre: A new convention centre of up to 200,000 square feet is planned for Cloverdale, adding a major venue for events, conferences and trade shows.
- New frontline facilities: Expansion and renewal of police, fire and bylaw facilities in City Centre, South Surrey and Cloverdale to better support increasing service demands.
- Smarter tools: Expanded use of drones to support all of Surrey’s public safety teams.
- Better health outcomes: A new advisory panel will help guide local health priorities and improve coordination on community needs.
- More world-class recreation: Council will consider a new three-sheet ice arena for South Surrey, one of the city’s fastest-growing areas
- Keeping costs low: The City is holding the property tax increase to 2.6 per cent, one of the lowest in the region.
“Surrey is not waiting for permission to grow into its future – we are building it,” Mayor Locke said. “We’re becoming the economic engine of British Columbia. With that comes responsibility to invest in infrastructure, enhance public safety, and ensure our communities take shape in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and resilient.”
In closing, the mayor called for continued confidence in the city’s direction and a shared commitment to its path forward. “Big things are happening in Surrey, and they reflect the scale of what we’re becoming,” she added. “Surrey has everything it needs to succeed as a leading urban centre in Canada. Our responsibility now is to stay focused, stay united, and keep delivering for the people who call this place home.”
Learn more about the vision for Surrey at surrey.ca/capitalprojects.
