Discover Narcity
Get the latest and greatest stories every day in your inbox.
What’s next for Surrey now that McCallum is mayor again?
McCallum’s plans include a tax freeze, new pools and a possible exit from Metro Vancouver.
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, with the first council meeting being on the same day.
Copyright 2026, Surrey Citizen. All rights reserved.
Aisha Chaudhry, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Surrey Citizen.
Keep reading
Show less
Fright Fest horror to take over Delta this October!
Events in North Delta and South Delta will include haunted houses, crafts and trick-or-treating.
The very spooktacular Fright Fest is returning to North Delta on Oct. 20 and South Delta on Oct. 27.
“Come if you dare… and get ready for a hauntingly good time!” said the City of Delta on its website.
The day will feature a haunted house, spooky story time, Halloween crafts, tasty treats, ghostly games, trick-or-treating at McKee, and more.
“Whether you’re looking for a little scare or lots of Halloween fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!” the city added.
North Delta
The fest will run at North Delta Recreation Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 4 to 8 p.m.
The haunted house will be paranomal investigations themed, offering three scare levels. It will operate Oct. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 20 from 4 to 8 p.m. and Oct. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Food options include North Delta Lions Club’s BBQ & hot chocolate, Little Ooties Mini Donuts, Chai Samosa and Altmaerker German Deli.
South Delta
South Delta’s Fright Fest will take place at the Ladner Community Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m.
This haunted house is themed “oddities & curiosities” which will also be offered at three different scare levels. The house will operate Oct. 26, 6 to 8 p.m., Oct. 27, 4 to 8 p.m. during the Fright Fest and Oct. 28, 6 to 8 p.m.
Food vendors include McKee Cafeteria, Mahshiko Food (Korean handhelds & bowls), Chai Samosa and Little Ooties Mini Donuts.
The city says the events will be low-lit, with flashing or flickering lights, as well as loud noises and sudden surprises. It cautions parents to use discretion if their child is sensitive to these effects.
Copyright 2026, Delta Optimist. All rights reserved.
Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist.
Keep reading
Show less
TFN charts a bold path forward with updated Land Use Plan
The plan projects Tsawwassen Lands will reach 12,000 residents by 2050.
When the Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) adopted British Columbia’s first urban modern treaty in 2009, it began a remarkable revitalization.
Seventeen years later, that foundational vision is evolving.
With its member vote approving the 2025 Land Use Plan Update, Tsawwassen is aiming to balance explosive growth with a deep commitment to cultural roots, ecological stewardship, and community wellness.
The numbers tell a story of steady transformation.
In 2009, about 660 people lived on Tsawwassen Lands.
By late 2025, that population climbed to roughly 5,400 residents, including 4,900 leasehold residents and 500 members living in the Village.
Projections estimate the population will reach 10,000 by 2040 and 12,000 by 2050.
Economic development has mirrored this population boom.
In 2025, more than 250 licensed businesses operated across industrial and commercial sectors on Tsawwassen Lands.
Together with government employment, these enterprises support about 4,000 on-land jobs and act as a significant economic engine for the region.
While the 2009 plan focused primarily on unlocking economic opportunities and building essential infrastructure like the $27 million sewage treatment plant and Tsawwassen Mills, the 2025 update takes a more well-rounded approach.
“Now we are prepared to carry it forward more holistically in 2025, rooted in Tsawwassen culture,” said Chief Laura Cassidy.
The updated plan is grounded in three core principles: syə́θəs (culture), šxʷkʷecxənəm (care), and məsteyəxʷ (community), and guided by the spirit of nəc̓aʔmát – working in unity.
As stated in the plan, this project’s community engagement process ran from September 2023 to June 2025 and included 24 sessions and over 350 member participations.
It divides Tsawwassen Lands into several key zones and designations to manage this future growth carefully:
The Community Area: Spanning about 177 hectares, this includes the Village, Tidal Marsh, and Bluff. It serves as the heart of the community, where plans include a new Cultural Centre, a Village Centre, a civic plaza near the legislature, a new cemetery, and an assisted living facility for elders. Ecological management zones will protect sensitive marsh and bluff habitats, archaeological sites, and the Pacific Great Blue Heron rookery.
“The objective of the Community Area is to maintain community character and continue building the community near the water for Members to live, work and play. Protect cultural roots, ecological environment, and traditional activities such as hunting and medicinal plants.”
Neighbourhood and Mixed-Use Areas: Covering about 134 hectares for leasehold residential and commercial enterprises, alongside 69 hectares at Tsawwassen Mills and Tsawwassen Commons, ensuring walkable, transit-friendly spaces that meet regional needs. It will help build out remaining vacant spaces, create long-term housing and market needs, and root new developments in Tsawwassen culture.
Industrial and Employment Lands: Encompassing roughly 135 hectares, these lands are designated as a long-term logistics and distribution hub, which aspires to create a national gateway that balances wealth generation with strict environmental standards.
Agricultural Areas: Increased to approximately 217 hectares with the inclusion of Brunswick Point lands, dedicated to food security, farming, and land-based economic activity.
Parks, Open Spaces & Blueways: Building on parks added since 2009, the updated plan focuses on creating safe, welcoming spaces for recreation, cultural expression, and community events. It advances the Great Blue Heron Way trail network, integrates gathering spots into neighbourhoods, and protects biodiversity. Alongside conserving the Tidal Marsh and Bluff, the plan prioritizes restoring blueway systems, shorelines, and waterways to support ecological health and cultural revitalization for future generations.
Transportation & Infrastructure: The plan prioritizes active transportation, integrated regional transit, and safe road networks through partnerships with provincial agencies. To support ongoing growth, new developments must dedicate land for trails and road rights-of-way while funding essential municipal infrastructure like water, sewage, drainage, and lighting. These systems will be managed for climate resilience and paired with third-party utilities to ensure modern standards across the community.
Action and Study Areas: The digital plan uses specific markers, such as eagle feathers for bold, near-term action Areas (like the Village Centre and beachfront planning) and heron feathers for long-term study areas (like the Port Adjacent Use Area and 13-acre parcel), to ensure growth happens thoughtfully as more information becomes available.
Implementation will roll out through updated zoning rules and other relevant regulations to align with the new Land Use Plan.
“By planning how we use and protect our lands, we are creating space for cultural revitalization, community wellness, and the healing of our People. We are honouring our ancestors by continuing the work they began, and we are preparing a strong foundation for our generations to come,” said Cassidy.
Copyright 2026, Delta Optimist. All rights reserved.
Radha Agarwal, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Delta Optimist.
Keep reading
Show less

Apparition de Billie dans le teaser de Scream 6.