Surrey is the 'most suggested' site for new South Asian museum: B.C. government | Daily Hive

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Vancouver and Surrey have both been competing to host a new provincially supported museum dedicated to celebrating and honouring the histories, struggles, contributions, cultures, and traditions of South Asian Canadians.

A newly released report by the Government of British Columbia on the findings of its year-long public consultation process states Vancouver was edged out by Surrey as the “most suggested” location for this future museum, due in large part to its high number of South Asian people who live, work, and shop in the city. Over 16,000 people were involved in the public consultation.

Nearly 40 per cent of Surrey’s residents are of South Asian descent, with heritage rooted in countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

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As well, a location in Surrey would be easier to find the required land to build a museum at a lower cost, as opposed to downtown Vancouver.

The runner-up for public support is a location somewhere in downtown Vancouver, as it is the “epicentre” for tourism in the province, including those arriving by cruise ships.

“If a goal of the museum is to educate Canadians and international visitors about Canadian South Asian heritages in B.C., then downtown Vancouver was seen as the ideal location. Museums in other jurisdictions, such as Toronto, Ontario, are positioned in the downtown core to capitalize on the volume of traffic and tourists,” reads the provincial report.

“Some participants did raise concerns about downtown Vancouver as a permanent location due to travel time, cost of parking, and accessibility via transit. Others mentioned that selecting Surrey as the location may feel isolating for non-South Asian heritage community members.”

Other areas mentioned as potential locations include Burnaby, Abbotsford, Langley, Delta, Victoria, Coquitlam, and New Westminster.

A previously assumed potential location in Vancouver’s struggling Punjabi Market — located on Main Street near East 49th Avenue — was not listed in the provincial report.

The provincial government has yet to make a decision on the location, but it will use the input gathered to finalize the site.

“The broad participation from British Columbians of South Asian heritages demonstrated how important it is for communities to see their cultures and stories reflected and recognized in a museum,” said Anne Kang, the B.C. minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport, in a statement today.

“We heard that it’s important to these communities to protect and pass down their traditions, languages and histories through a museum. We are committed to continuing to work with these communities on next steps.”

Both the municipal governments of Vancouver and Surrey have expressed significant support for having this museum situated in their jurisdiction.

In its attempt to convince the provincial government, the City of Surrey has noted that it has identified several key sites where such a museum could be built, and has even taken provincial officials for a tour of these locations.

The City of Surrey also launched an online petition, which will close on Aug. 30, 2025.

“The City is calling on residents to help us show the province that Surrey is the right choice for the Canadians of South Asian Heritages Museum,” said Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke in a statement last month.

“The museum will represent more than just history — it is a celebration of the diverse stories that enrich our community every day. Surrey’s diverse communities have helped shape our city and province, and this museum will honour that legacy.”

In late 2024, Vancouver City Council unanimously passed a member motion put forward by city councillor Lenny Zhou in support of having the provincially supported museum in their jurisdiction.

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim subsequently formally indicated to the provincial government that the South Asian museum should be situated in the city. The City will also cover one-third of the capital/construction costs if it is located within Vancouver, including any in-kind land contribution.

“Vancouver has long been a starting point for South Asian immigrants and their families when they came to Canada, making this an ideal location to honour their legacy,” said Zhou during a City Council meeting in November 2024.

“The centre would be a place of both historical significance and cultural learning, celebrating Vancouver’s diversity while supporting social cohesion and unity. This ideal location is also very good for partnership with universities, cultural organizations and local business, creating a thriving space for education, research and cultural exchange… I’m really envisioning a multicultural hub in Vancouver,” continued Zhou.

Mayor Sim added, “The South Asian community built this country and it’s so great that things have changed quite a bit over the last hundred years, we get to acknowledge what’s happened in the past, and we get to sort of celebrate and we get to honour the true history as it relates to the South Asian community. I think this is long overdue, and I’m so happy that we’re able to be part of this, to support the community, and build something incredibly special, and we really look forward to this just being the start of something absolutely beautiful.”

In Summer 2023, the provincially supported Chinese Canadian Museum opened in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown by repurposing a historic building previously substantially renovated for the offices of Rennie Marketing and the private Rennie Museum.

The provincial government is also in the early stages of planning a cultural centre and museum for the Filipino Canadian community.

Planning for a potential South Asian museum first began in 2017.

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