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What’s next for Surrey now that McCallum is mayor again?
McCallum’s coalition holds seven of eight council seats, but major promises depend on funding.
On Saturday night, Doug McCallum won his fifth term as Surrey’s mayor. Not only did he win, but his Safe Surrey Coalition swept up seven of the eight councillor seats — meaning that McCallum will likely have almost no opposition when trying to pass things in city hall.
So, what happens next?
While Surrey residents made it clear they preferred McCallum’s platform over the other six mayoral candidates running, it’s worth returning to the party’s platform and seeing how likely some of their promises actually are.
The coalition vowed to bring a SkyTrain to Newton and build a new general hospital along King George Boulevavd. However, both of these projects would be the final decision of the province. While city hall could advocate for it, there is no guarantee the province will allocate the funds for it — the province is also facing an unprecedented deficit.
But other commitments are within McCallum’s jurisdiction to implement, like his promise to freeze property taxes for the next four years and waive business license fees for the first two years of every new business.
Property taxes go to several authorities like the provincial government, Metro Vancouver Regional District, TransLink and police services. The city uses their cut of the taxes to fund services like the fire department, road safety, parks and recreational centres, libraries, garbage pick-up and more.
According to the city’s website, Surrey already has one of the lowest property rates in Metro Vancouver. With inflation increasing the cost of labour and goods, it’s unclear how McCallum plans to fund all the city’s current operations without cutting anything.
Many of McCallum’s other commitments also hinge on the question of funding. The party has promised an expansion of policing services and securing a helicopter and drone fleet within 90 days for the SPS.
Going forward, McCallum has also committed to having all residential building permits approved within 60 days. If city hall misses this deadline, all permit fees will be waived. Surrey currently has a glut of unsold condos and some have questioned whether more housing is even the answer to lowering prices.
When it comes to recreation services, McCallum wants to build new pools in Clayton Heights, City Centre and add a pool into the Newton Community Centre being built. Again, it’s unknown how city hall would fund such large capital projects with a freeze on property taxes.
The party also wants to conduct a forensic audit of city hall’s land deals and “root out waste.” Locke faced backlash during her June announcement of a new $360 million arena — many questioned how much tax payers would be funding. Locke had previously said there was no way to cancel the project, even if a new party was elected.
Another pressing issue in city hall has been Surrey’s fraught relationship with Metro Vancouver Regional District. The regional district oversees core services in the Lower Mainland like delivering clean drinking water, treating waste and monitoring air quality, among other things.
But, the district has also faced criticism for the rising cost of the North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant, with the top administrator exiting the organisation in early September.
While McCallum wants Surrey to withdraw from the regional district — remaining connected for utilities like water, sewer and waste — it’s unknown if he has the jurisdiction to do so. Or if McCallum does remove Surrey, if the district will allow the city to leave while still benefiting from their services.
McCallum will be sworn in on Nov. 2 and the first council meeting of the newly elected officials will be on Nov. 9.
Copyright 2026, Surrey Citizen. All rights reserved.
Aisha Chaudhry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Surrey Citizen.
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Metrolinx is hiring for high-paying jobs that offer up to $49 an hour or $198,000 a year
Positions are open in Toronto and the GTA.
Typhoonski | Dreamstime
Metrolinx jobs are currently open in Toronto and places across the GTA.
You can earn up to $49 per hour or $198,000 a year with these positions!
Metrolinx, the transit agency that operates GO Transit and UP Express in Ontario, is hiring people for jobs in IT, software development, construction, admin, customer protection and other work areas.
The deadlines for these high-paying jobs are in the next few weeks, so here's what you need to know if you want to apply.
Data Scientist
Salary: $93,798 to $127,484 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Toronto
Who Should Apply: You must have a degree in statistics, applied math, engineering, computer science or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Also, you need experience in:
- data science, advanced analytics, machine learning, predictive modelling or related disciplines
- Microsoft Azure, Azure Machine Learning, Databricks Lakehouse, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake Storage, and Azure AI services
- developing and deploying machine learning, forecasting, predictive, and prescriptive analytics models
- data engineering, ETL/ELT pipelines, feature engineering, and data quality management
- applying machine learning techniques and AI techniques, including time-series forecasting and large language models
- customer segmentation, profiling, clustering, association analysis, and basket analysis
- working with complex enterprise datasets and distributed computing environments
Proficiency in Python, SQL, PySpark/Spark, and large-scale data processing is required.
You must have knowledge of statistical analysis, including hypothesis testing, experimentation, and A/B testing.
The deadline is October 25, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.
I&IT Field Support Services Technician
Salary: $42.43 to $49.51 an hour
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Middlefield facility
Who Should Apply: You must have completed a college program related to an electronics and computer science field, with particular emphasis on network technology, or equivalent experience.
Also, CompTIA A+, Network + and multi-function printer certification or the equivalent is required.
You need a minimum of three years of experience in:
- installing, configuring and supporting end-user desktop software and devices in a networked environment.
- repairing, testing and maintaining electronic and mechanical equipment
- supporting desktop technologies and customer service associated with Single Point of Contact (SPOC) service desk
Knowledge of Microsoft applications and current Windows operating systems is required.
You also need advanced technical knowledge to troubleshoot and repair electronic/IP and telecommunications field equipment, multi-function printers, scanners and devices.
A valid Ontario class G driver's license is required for travelling in the GTHA.
You must have the ability to lift heavy equipment on a daily basis, be on-call on a rotational basis, and work in environments with frequent exposure to inclement weather conditions and noise.
The deadline is October 23, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.
Rail Traffic Controller
Salary: $91,421 to $124,253 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Toronto or Oakville
Who Should Apply: You must have a diploma in business administration, transportation or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Four years of experience in a transportation control centre or related experience is required.
You need organizational, analytical, problem-solving, critical thinking, decision-making and communication skills
Also, you must be proficient in software applications, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
The ability to obtain Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR) certification is required, but training will be provided.
Since this is a 24/7 operation, you may have to work variable shifts and hours, including weekends and rotating off-days.
The deadline is October 31, 2026, at 12 a.m.
Senior Software Developer
Salary: $110,854 to $153,872 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Toronto
Who Should Apply: You must have a degree in computer science, engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience.
It's required that you have years of experience in software development, including technical leadership roles.
Also, you need experience in:
- integration development (APIs, microservices, event-driven architecture)
- cloud platforms (Azure Container Apps, ACR, Azure Functions, Key Vault preferred) and DevOps/CI-CD pipelines
- messaging/event streaming (Azure Event Hub, Service Bus, RabbitMQ)
Proficiency in technologies such as C#, .NET, Node.js, JavaScript frameworks, SQL, Redis, SignalR, RESTful and SOAP services is required.
You must also have knowledge of security protocols (OAuth2, SAML, encryption) and API management, and familiarity with Agile methodologies.
The deadline is October 25, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.
Construction Management Field Specialist
Salary: $93,798 to $127,484 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Various locations in Toronto and the GTA
Who Should Apply: A degree or diploma in architecture, engineering, construction trades, occupational health and safety or a related discipline is an asset.
You must have experience in planning, design, construction, construction supervision, construction safety, and administration of infrastructure or similar large-scale projects.
Also, experience in project management, including contracts and change variations, is required.
You need knowledge of applying legislation and regulatory requirements related to health and safety in the construction industry to implement and maintain construction safety management plans and policies, procedures and best practices.
The ability to read and understand work methodology plans, engineering drawings, risk assessments, and other construction management documents is required as well.
You must be able to obtain qualifications in Canadian Rail Operating Rules (CROR).
A valid Ontario Class G driver’s license is required to travel to various site locations in Toronto and the GTA.
The ability to work evenings, nights and weekends on a rotational basis, be on-call for emergencies, and work outdoors in all weather conditions and at all hours is required.
The deadline is November 2, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.
Senior Manager, GO Expansion Operations
Salary: $140,764 to $198,828 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Toronto
Who Should Apply: You must have a degree in business administration, transportation planning or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
A minimum of 10 years of experience in railway operations, railway corridor engineering, contract management, and customer service, preferably in the public sector and/or a unionized environment, is required.
You must also have experience in:
- applying collective agreement provisions to monitor and manage employees and contractors
- vendor management to manage the development and delivery of services and monitor service delivery and performance
The ability to negotiate and deal with contacts, present complex and/or new ideas with clarity and simplicity, liaise with all levels in the organization and on construction sites, and work effectively with specialists is required.
You need to be able to occasionally work nights and weekends to visit construction sites and attend public meetings.
The deadline is October 28, 2026, at 11:55 p.m.
Executive Assistant
Salary: $72,445 to $100,063 a year
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Toronto
Who Should Apply: You must have a high school diploma with additional vocational or technical training or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Also, you need to have years of experience providing administrative and executive support services in a complex and highly confidential environment.
Proficiency in Microsoft applications like Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is required, along with experience supporting executives through document preparation, records management, approvals, and administrative coordination.
You need communication skills to compose and edit highly confidential documents and record meeting notes, organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines, and interpersonal skills to maintain working relationships.
The deadline is October 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
Customer Protection Officer/Special Constable
Salary: $46.57 an hour
Company: Metrolinx
Location: Various locations in the GTA
Who Should Apply: You must have a level of knowledge of principles and practices that's typically attained through the completion of a community college program in law enforcement, social work or a relevant field and/or equivalent experience.
A minimum of six months of experience directly involving law enforcement activities and social/community work with exposure to the justice system is required.
You need the ability to interpret and apply federal and provincial statutes and local bylaws.
Also, interpersonal skills to maintain customer service and operating protocols and decision-making skills to handle a variety of circumstances and situations.
A valid Level C First Aid CPR certificate, a Mental Health First Aid Certification, and a valid Ontario class G driver's license are required.
You must be able to work on a 24-hour rotating shift basis (including days, evenings, weekends and holidays), handle confrontational situations, and walk, stand, climb stairs and operate vehicles for extended periods of time.
The deadline is October 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.
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Ministers tout Indigenous policing investment
The funding will expand safety officers to all 63 First Nations in Manitoba by 2028.
While no new money was announced for Indigenous policing on Friday, federal and provincial public safety ministers held a press conference in Brandon to announce $163.5 million in past funding commitments.
Speaking at the Waywayseecappo Conference Centre, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said the combined funding from the two governments is aiding the expansion and effectiveness of Indigenous-led policing efforts.
“I’m happy to announce that our governments today, Canada and Manitoba, are jointly supporting two major investments in First Nations policing and community safety here in the province under the First Nations and Inuit Policing Program,” Anandasangaree said. “This money will strengthen its capacity to deliver First Nations-led, culturally informed policing to the 12 First Nations communities that it currently serves.”
The funding includes $121 million for the Manitoba First Nations Police Service from 2023-27 and $42.5 million to expand the Manitoba First Nation Safety Officer Program from 2025-28.
Anandasangaree said the funding will help expand the safety officer program to all 63 First Nations in Manitoba by 2028.
“First Nations safety officers play a key role in the provincial public safety strategy, complementing and at times augmenting the role of the RCMP,” Anandasangaree said. “We will also provide improved training, equipment, communication tools and more equitable resources that are distributed across communities in Manitoba.”
MFNPS Chief Jason Colon, who attended the press conference, said the funding has allowed the service to dedicate officers for in-house training and purchase equipment such as body cameras, vehicle cameras and surveillance cameras at detachments.
The funding has also enabled the MFNPS to expand into two new communities in recent years — Fisher River Cree Nation and Gambler First Nation.
The police service is currently trying to secure funding for a Crime Reduction and Enforcement Unit, which targets crimes related to gangs, drugs and firearms, he said.
“We’re hoping in the next few years to have this position, this unit funded as full-time.”
Colon said the expansion of policing capacity in rural First Nations during the past few years has benefited people outside those communities as well, enhancing overall law-enforcement presence across the province.
He also noted the MFNPS works closely with the Winnipeg Police Service and the Brandon Police Service.
“Crime doesn’t really look at borders,” he said. “People from outside our communities are transporting substances, and by us having the resources to deal with those things, it supports the surrounding communities as well.”
Manitoba Justice Minister Matt Wiebe echoed those comments.
“There’s definitely a community focus to the work that’s happening with the FNSOs, with First Nations police,” he said at the press conference. “But I want to be clear: the work that they do is not simply focused on their own communities.”
He pointed to a case where First Nation safety officers in Bunibonibee Cree Nation identified drugs that were being brought into the community, leading to a deeper investigation by RCMP, which carried out arrests across the province.
“It’s an example of how public safety in one community impacts other communities,” Wiebe said.
“I think that there’s an element here where First Nations police are doing work that is complementing and adding to the work that’s happening with the RCMP and at the community level with the FNSO.”
Copyright 2026, Brandon Sun. All rights reserved.
Connor McDowell, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brandon Sun.
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