Surrey Police Vote Citizens Initiative Referendum group claimed victory, saying Surrey voters have spoken loud and clear.   And they are calling on the provincial government to hold a democratic referendum on policing in Surrey after their Citizens’ Initiative collected 42,942 signatures from Surrey residents. They said this far exceeds the 10 per cent threshold of Surrey’s eligible voters, which Elections B.C. reports as 35,056 signatures. 

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

SURREY– Surrey Police Vote Citizens Initiative Referendum group claimed victory, saying Surrey voters have spoken loud and clear.  

And they are calling on the provincial government to hold a democratic referendum on policing in Surrey after their Citizens’ Initiative collected 42,942 signatures from Surrey residents. They said this far exceeds the 10 per cent threshold of Surrey’s eligible voters, which Elections B.C. reports as 35,056 signatures. 

However Surrey Police Service (SPS) claimed that the initiative was unsuccessful as it didn’t get the required 10 percent signature province-wide.

But Initiative Campaign Proponent Darlene Bennett says it’s clearly time for the Provincial government and the City of Surrey to finally listen to Surrey voters by holding a regional binding referendum on the future of policing in the city. 

 “Through an ongoing global pandemic, a heatwave, and extreme rain and weather even for B.C., the people of Surrey have spoken and turned out in force,” said Darlene Bennett, proponent. “Surrey residents want a democratic referendum on the future of policing in Surrey. They deserve a vote on keeping the Surrey RCMP or transitioning to Mayor Doug McCallum’s proposed Surrey Police Service. The responsibility to do the right thing now lies with the Province. Let the people decide and put this to a regional referendum.” 

Prominent campaign supporter and victim’s rights advocate Eileen Mohan added, “A decision this big, this expensive and this controversial needs to go to the people. I have seen just how hard our over 430 canvassers have worked over the past 90-days, along with countless volunteers. Our community deserves a vote on an issue of this magnitude and cost to taxpayers.” 

British Columbia has both Initiative and Referendum legislation but neither on its own allows for a citizen-initiated regional referendum. The Initiative and Recall Act allows citizens to propose initiatives to have the Province recognize the matter as public interest, and to take action. The Referendum Act allows for the Province to hold a regional referendum. 

 “While the Initiative legislation does not contemplate a regional petition, the B.C. Referendum Act does give the B.C. cabinet the power to order a regional referendum on any issue – and could easily do so on Surrey policing. The residents and taxpayers of Surrey, B.C.’s second most populous city have now made an overwhelming case for that referendum,” said Bill Tieleman, campaign strategist. 

The City of Surrey’s proposed police transition has already increased taxes for hardworking Surrey residents. Last year, the Mayor tripled the capital parcel levy on homeowners from $100 to $300 per home. Earlier this year, property and business taxes increased, with the average homeowner seeing an 11 per cent increase on their property taxes to pay for this expensive and divisive plan.  

 “There has been no feasibility study, no clear plan, and no obvious public safety benefit. Surrey voters have been asking for a definitive say on this with no response from McCallum’s slim Council majority, and now we’re asking the Provincial government to hold a referendum,” added Bennett.  “Whether you support retaining the RCMP, as I do, or want the proposed Surrey Police Service, I believe everyone should have a vote on the final decision.” 

Bennett also thanked the group Keep The RCMP In Surrey and its leader Ivan Scott for taking a key leadership role along with other volunteers in collecting the signatures in just 90 days and to key campaign endorsers for their support.  Endorsers of the Surrey Police Vote include former Surrey Mayors Bob Bose and Linda Hepner; Surrey Member of Parliament Ken Hardie [Liberal, Fleetwood-Port Kells]; Surrey Board of Trade CEO and President Anita Huberman; victims’ rights advocates Eileen Mohan and Markita Kaulius; recovery home operator R. Cole Izsak; education advocate Cindy Dalglish and many more. 

 “The high profile of these prominent and accomplished Surrey citizens all joining our call for a referendum on policing shows how inclusive and important our campaign for a vote has been,” said Bennett.  “There should now be no question that the only way to resolve the Surrey policing issue is with a democratic vote by Surrey residents.”