Thank you, Surrey!

Friends,

Thank you!

Six weeks ago Imagine Surrey was a handful of people with a plan. On Saturday, our brand-new team finished third in Surrey. You did that, one door and one conversation at a time, and I could not be prouder of you.

We are not done. Surrey needs a team that works for people instead of fighting with them, and we have started building it. Over the next four years we are going to grow it, neighbourhood by neighbourhood, into the team that replaces Doug McCallum and Safe Surrey in 2030.

If you can chip in to help us build on this start, it would mean a great deal. 

It has been the honour of my life. See you out there!

Mike Starchuk
Imagine Surrey

 

Imagine Surrey – Led by Mike Starchuk

Mike Starchuk has spent nearly his entire life in Surrey — serving, protecting, and championing the people who call the city home. From decades as a first responder, to years in elected office, Mike has dedicated his career to public service, and to ensuring Surrey is a safe, vibrant, and thriving community.

Mike retired as Surrey Fire Services’ Chief Fire Prevention Officer in 2014 after 32 years of service as a first responder, firefighter, and public safety leader. His decades on the frontlines have given him a firsthand understanding of the complex challenges facing Surrey — and what the community needs to feel safe, supported, and heard.

At the Surrey Fire Fighters Association, Mike championed health and safety initiatives locally and provincially. He is a founding member of the Surrey Fire Fighters Charitable Society, now one of Surrey’s leading charities. Mike has also personally funded bursaries at three Surrey high schools, believing strongly in supporting young people as they pursue their goals.

Mike’s advocacy extends provincewide through his work with the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Association, where he stood up for firefighters facing work-related cancers and occupational injuries. Following his retirement, Mike was named an honorary member of the organization for his years of dedication.

On the national stage, Mike served the International Association of Fire Fighters as a Partnership Education Program Facilitator, one of only three Canadian firefighters selected to deliver leadership development programs across Canada and the United States.

His service and ongoing dedication to the City of Surrey have been recognized with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2013) and King Charles III Coronation Medal (2024).

Mike was first elected to Surrey City Council in 2014. During his term, he chaired the Agriculture, Environmental, and Diversity Advisory Committees, and co-chaired the Seniors Advisory Committee. In these roles, he helped launch new farm-to-table initiatives that showcased the richness of Surrey’s Agricultural Land Reserve and strengthened local food connections.

Mike Starchuk — Leader of Imagine Surrey

To find out more about Imagine Surrey, and what they plan in the city of Surrey, please click here, to open a new tab:

ImagineSurrey.ca

Imagine Surrey –  a new civic slate for Surrey.  Imagine Surrey underscores a shared commitment to fostering growth, engagement, and positive change in Surrey. Imagine Surrey will bring together a dedicated group committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs and aspirations of Surrey’s residents and those who work here. – ImagineSurrey.ca

We acknowledge that we live, work, and play, on the shared traditional territories of the Coast Salish, Semiahmoo, Katzi, Kwantlen, and Metis peoples.

Indigenous peoples have cared for these lands since time immemorial, and we are grateful for the opportunity to gather here.

We commit to building relationships rooted in respect, reciprocity, truth and reconciliation.