SURREY Mayor Brenda Locke has proudly announced her intention to seek re-election as Mayor of Surrey in the October 17, 2026 municipal election, and introduced two new council candidates on her Surrey Connect team.

Joined by supporters, family, and community members, Locke highlighted Surrey Connect’s significant accomplishments over the past term and introduced new candidates Rona Tepper and Noemi Victorino ready to build on that momentum.

“I am thrilled to announce that I will be running for re-election as your Mayor,” said Locke. “Together with our Surrey Connect team, we have delivered real results for Surrey while keeping taxes low. With exciting opportunities and real challenges ahead, Surrey needs steady, proven leadership. I’m ready to continue that work with an even stronger team.”

Under the Surrey Connect banner, the team has delivered key wins for residents, including:

    •    Major infrastructure investments, such as the Newton Recreation Centre, new ice sheets in Cloverdale, and the 39,000-square-foot expansion to the Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre.

    •    Securing the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension.

    •    Advancing the new medical school at SFU Surrey.

    •    Hiring 140 new police officers and opening two new city-supported medical clinics.

    •    Planning a new rapid bus route from City Centre to White Rock.

    •    Approving over 4,000 new homes and slashing permitting times from 16 weeks to just four weeks.

    •    Completing critical road improvements, including making 72 Avenue a continuous east-west connection and widening 32, 64, and 72 Avenues, plus 132 and 152 Streets and Fraser Highway.

    •    Leading efforts to hold Metro Vancouver accountable to regional taxpayers

And accomplishing all this while keeping taxes low.

Locke emphasized that Surrey is on the cusp of becoming British Columbia’s largest metropolitan centre by population in the coming term. “This is an exciting time of opportunity, but it comes with significant responsibilities,” she said. “We must address challenges like the regional extortion crimewave, advocate for provincial and federal investments, protect property rights, and support small businesses. Political platitudes won’t make us safer—steady, focused leadership will.”

Locke was joined on stage by incumbent Surrey Connect councillors seeking re-election:

    •    Councillor Gord Hepner, an entrepreneur and notary public with degrees from Concordia University and Simon Fraser University.

    •    Councillor Pardeep Kooner, an accountant with over 20 years of experience and owner of her own audit and tax services firm, and a Trinity Western University graduate.

    •    Councillor Rob Stutt, a career investigator with 43 years in policing and insurance, and 30 years of community service including with the Sullivan Community Association and minor hockey.

    •    Councillor Harry Bains, a corporate and real estate lawyer practicing in Surrey, with degrees from BCIT and UBC.

The team also welcomed two new candidates to the Surrey Connect slate:

    •    Rona Tepper, a longtime Surrey resident and community volunteer with organizations including the Ocean Park Community Association, Crescent Beach Swim Club, and local marine search and rescue. She serves as a Victim Services Case Worker for the RCMP.

    •    Noemi Victorino, Executive Director of Harvest to Hope and former Senior Officer of Trade and Compliance with the Canada Border Services Agency. A passionate advocate for women and girls, she is also an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce.

“This Surrey Connect team had a clear vision and plan when we took office, and we delivered,” Locke added. “We’re building on that success with incredible new members. We’re ready to take on the challenges ahead, continue delivering results, and win in October.”