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5mo ago

Surrey Mayor Rejects $91 Million Police Budget Hike as Unaffordable

The mayor ordered a review of the provincially appointed board’s draft plan, warning the request would force an 18 percent property tax increase.

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke and Surrey Police Service Chief Constable Norm Lipinski at an event in September.
A Surrey police department logo is seen on an officer's jacket in Surrey, B.C., Monday, Oct. 31, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Overview

  • Surrey’s provisional 2026 policing budget seeks a net $331,515,621, up $91 million from 2025.
  • A 36 percent rise in salaries and benefits accounts for about $62 million of the increase, according to the budget document.
  • Mayor Brenda Locke says taxpayers cannot absorb the hike and has directed staff and council to scrutinize the request, telling the police board to rework the draft.
  • Councillor Linda Annis says transition delays have driven costs, notes a reported $25 million SPS surplus this year, and maintains the draft fits within the province’s $250 million transition funding.
  • The SPS plan prioritizes hiring more sworn and civilian staff and technology investments as the force extends coverage in South Surrey and targets full transition in 2026–2027.