An Opinion Editorial, written by Mike Starchuk, published in the Cloverdale Reporter:

Mike Starchuk is running for reelection as the MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale in the 2024 B.C. provincial election.
(Photo courtesy: Malin Jordan – Cloverdale Reporter)

This upcoming election in British Columbia presents a stark choice for voters across the province, and especially in Surrey. On one hand, David Eby’s BC NDP Government has consistently prioritised investments in critical public infrastructure to serve Surrey’s rapid growth and needs. On the other hand, we have John Rustad’s BC Conservative Party, which has chosen to be a party of conspiracy theories, extreme positions, and science denial.

Since the BC NDP formed government in 2017, Surrey has experienced unprecedented investments in its schools. Over $900 million has been invested, creating 8,240 new seats for students, along with new playgrounds, school upgrades and improved resources for teachers. By providing this funding, our government is ensuring that children of all ages and backgrounds have the tools they need to learn and grow.
 
In contrast, however, John Rustad and the BC Conservative candidates are advocating to roll back this progress. By advocating for policies that would greatly increase class sizes, Rustad would overcrowd our classrooms, undermining the quality of education that our children receive. Larger class sizes are known to strain our teachers, diminish attention to our students, and exclude children with special needs. This approach to schools is the opposite of what parents in Surrey want, which is more, not less investments in education.
 
The BC Conservatives have also proposed a staggering $4.1 billion cut to our healthcare system. This cut would be devastating to communities across the province, and especially here in Surrey. With the new Surrey hospital under construction in Cloverdale and expansions to Surrey Memorial, Rustad’s cut-and-gut plans would put projects like these in jeopardy.
 
At the heart of this election is a choice between two very different visions for our province and for our community. The BC NDP Government has shown a commitment to investing in services that matter most to people. Including record investments in education, major expansions in healthcare infrastructure, and a SkyTrain expansion that will connect Langley and Cloverdale to the rest of Metro Vancouver. These investments are just a few of the tangible ways that the BC NDP has been meeting the needs of Surrey’s growing population. On the other hand, Rustad’s Conservatives have shown that they are willing to reverse this progress. Rustad was a member and cabinet minister in the BC Liberal Government until they lost power in 2017. Under his party, we saw deep cuts to services and even the selling of a future Surrey hospital site.
 
Surrey deserves leaders who are focused on the real issues that matter. In this election, the choice is clear. Surrey can continue to move forward with a government that is willing to invest in the future, or it can turn back the clock with a party that denies reality and threatens to undo the progress we’ve made.