Linda Annis announces she will run for Surrey mayor in 2026 election | Daily Hive

Linda Annis. (Surrey First)

Surrey First city councillor Linda Annis has officially launched her campaign for mayor, setting the stage for a high-profile race in British Columbia’s fastest-growing city.

Civic elections across B.C.’s municipal governments are scheduled for Oct. 17, 2026.

Annis, who also serves as the executive director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers, was first elected to Surrey City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, which saw her win the largest number of votes among all city councillor candidates.

“I want to make sure we’re ready so that we can build the sort of future our city wants and deserves. It’s time to ignite Surrey’s potential and show our province and country what we can contribute and accomplish in the important years ahead,” said Annis today.

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Annis took direct aim at Surrey Connect Mayor Brenda Locke and the current Surrey Connect-led City Council, accusing the governing party — holding five of the nine seats, including the mayoral seat — of spending much of the current term fighting the provincial government over the City’s contentious transition from the Surrey RCMP to the municipal Surrey Police Service.

Annis says she wants to see street-level light rail transit (LRT) added to connect Surrey neighbourhoods, complementing the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension, which is currently under construction and set to open in late 2029. She also pledges to speed up building permits and approvals to get more affordable housing built “quicker and smarter.”

On public safety, she backs completing Surrey’s police transition and creating a new regional police training academy. For governance, she promises an independent auditor general and mandate letters for councillors to make City Hall more accountable.

Attracting and supporting businesses to catalyze economic growth will be key. Her economic plan focuses on cutting red tape, attracting business investment, and expanding sectors such as food processing, logistics, and construction to reduce Surrey’s reliance on residential property taxes.

“We really need to ramp up our business and economic development department at City Hall. As a major Canadian border city, we have a real opportunity to be more than just a bedroom community for other cities in the region. Economic development that creates good local jobs is a very real and urgent priority,” said Annis.

“These uncertain economic times mean we need to be focused and nimble when it comes to attracting and retaining businesses. When it comes to attracting business, I want to roll out the red carpet, rather than the red tape. Our City’s tax base is heavily residential, but attracting new businesses will be how we fund our city’s future as we grow our business tax base. But first we need to show businesses we’re open and ready to welcome them.”

She also wants a 20-year plan for parks, pools, rinks, and playing fields, free access for local children and youth, and building a new conference and performing arts centre.

On schools and infrastructure, she vows zero tolerance for Surrey’s 400 portable classrooms — problematic for the quality of facilities provided to elementary and high-school students — and stronger pressure on Victoria and Ottawa for new schools, healthcare facilities, and public transit funding.

Finally, Annis says she will prioritize providing more transparency, with fewer closed-door meetings, a public question period at every City Council meeting, and stronger community engagement.

Annis also proposed creating an advisory panel of former Surrey mayors, regardless of political affiliation, to provide insight on key decisions.

“Regardless of their political stripe, former Surrey mayors have some very unique experience,” said Annis.

“I may not agree with some of their political perspectives, and they may not even be active in politics anymore, but they know a thing or two and hearing their perspective on important issues could certainly help us make better decisions for our city. I want to put their combined years of practical experience to work for Surrey. They are a valuable resource that I’d like to tap into.”

Beyond Surrey City Hall, Annis pledged to push for sweeping reforms at Metro Vancouver Regional District, including reducing the size of the board, eliminating meeting fees for members, and ordering a full audit of the beleaguered North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant project.

Annis says she will begin rolling out Surrey First’s slate of City Council candidates in the coming weeks.

The Surrey First party has been highly influential in Surrey’s growth, with the party holding power in City Hall between 2008 and 2018.

Currently, Annis and City Councillor Mike Bose are the only Surrey First members on City Council.

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