BC LIBERALS VOW TO PUSH PAUSE ON SURREY POLICE! “The people of Surrey deserve better. From conversations with thousands of voters in this campaign, it’s clear that Surrey residents want a voice in the path forward,” BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson said in a press release Sunday. “A BC Liberal government will pause the transition process, provide accountability and transparency, and then hold a referendum to put the final choice in the hands of Surrey residents.”

By R. Paul Dhillon - Editor DESIBUZZCanada

SURREY – While the BC’s PST cut hasn’t really made much of an impact so far in the two week old BC election campaign, BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson took another gamble, this time hoping to solidify anti-Surrey police votes as he clearly stated that a BC Liberal government would rip up the Surrey police process currently underway and give Surreyites a chance at rethink with a referendum on whether they want Surrey police or keep the RCMP.

“The people of Surrey deserve better. From conversations with thousands of voters in this campaign, it’s clear that Surrey residents want a voice in the path forward,” Wilkinson said in a press release Sunday. “A BC Liberal government will pause the transition process, provide accountability and transparency, and then hold a referendum to put the final choice in the hands of Surrey residents.”

NDP’s Mike Farnworth immediately responded, saying the BC Liberals’ misguided proposal interferes in a Surrey municipal policing decision.

“This flip-flop by Andrew Wilkinson and the BC Liberals is one more desperate act. This blatant disrespect is offensive to the City and citizens of Surrey who are quite capable of managing the affairs of their city, in accordance with their legal authority,” Farnworth said.

“This is a major violation of the relationship with a municipal level of government and an unwarranted interference in the affairs of the city of Surrey.  The law makes it clear that this is a municipal decision. The role of the provincial government is to ensure public safety is maintained and that is what we will continue to do.

“For the worst of reasons, Andrew Wilkinson has reversed the position taken by his own MLAs, who have stated for months that this is a municipal responsibility.  Just a few days ago, Wilkinson admitted that he did not know enough about this issue. Today he proved that statement was true.” 

Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum also made a statement on Wilkinson’s announcement: “The Surrey Police Service is a done deal and the BC Liberals are playing politics with the public safety of our residents. I am appalled that the BC Liberal Leader has stooped to this level of desperation in an effort to garner votes. Surrey City Council acted in accordance with the law when we unanimously voted to transition to a municipal police service. For the BC Liberals to interfere in the unanimous decision of an elected city council should be a concern to all municipal governments in our province.”

Sunday’s promise from the Liberals follows NDP leader John Horgan’s comments last month that the Surrey’s police transition is a “hornet’s nest” and that it’s Mayor Doug McCallum’s issue to deal with.