Linda Annis has been elected as the new mayor of Surrey, British Columbia, after a tight race against incumbent Doug McCallum.
Annis, who previously served as a city councillor, won with 50.6% of the vote, beating McCallum’s 34.7%. She will be the first woman to hold the position of mayor in Surrey’s history.
In her victory speech, Annis expressed her gratitude to the people of Surrey for their support and trust in her leadership. She also acknowledged the hard work and dedication of her campaign team.
Annis ran on a platform of addressing public safety, transportation, and housing issues in Surrey. She promised to hire more police officers, improve public transit, and increase affordable housing options in the city.
During her time as a city councillor, Annis was known for her advocacy for public safety, particularly in the wake of the ongoing gang violence in Surrey. She also pushed for the creation of a municipal police force, which was a major point of contention between her and McCallum.
Annis’s win marks a significant shift in Surrey’s political landscape, as McCallum’s Safe Surrey Coalition had held a majority on city council since the 2018 election. However, with Annis’s victory, her Surrey First party now holds the majority with five out of eight seats on council.
McCallum, who had been seeking a third term as mayor, congratulated Annis on her win and thanked the people of Surrey for their support during his time in office.
Annis’s win has been met with both praise and criticism from residents of Surrey. Some have expressed hope for positive change under her leadership, while others have raised concerns about her lack of experience as a mayor.
Regardless, Annis is determined to work towards making Surrey a safer and more livable city for all its residents. She has promised to listen to the concerns of the community and work collaboratively with city council to address them.
As she begins her term as mayor, all eyes will be on Annis to see how she fulfills her promises and leads Surrey into the future.
