Fair and Local Representation
Under the at-large system, all councilors represent the entire city, but in practice, large and high-profile neighborhoods often receive more attention.
A ward system guarantees that each geographic area of Surrey (such as Whalley, Newton, Guildford, Fleetwood, Cloverdale, South Surrey) has a dedicated councilor focused on local needs and priorities.
 
2. Accountability and Transparency
In an at-large system, it is difficult for residents to know which councilor is responsible for their neighborhood.
A ward system makes one councilor directly accountable for each area, ensuring residents know who to contact and who to hold responsible for local decisions.
 
3. Better Connection Between Residents and Council
Surrey’s population is over 600,000 and growing, making it the second-largest city in BC.
A ward system ensures smaller, more manageable constituencies, allowing councilors to build relationships with local communities and understand unique issues.
 
4. Balanced Attention Across All Areas
Rapid growth in some areas (e.g., City Centre, South Surrey) often overshadows the needs of others (e.g., Newton, Guildford).
A ward system prevents certain neighborhoods from being neglected and ensures equitable distribution of resources, infrastructure, and services.
 
5. Encourages Diversity in Council
Surrey is a diverse city with many cultural, economic, and social communities.
A ward system increases the chance of diverse representation, as candidates from smaller communities can compete locally rather than across the entire city.
 
6. Reduces Big-Money Influence
At-large elections often require large campaign budgets to reach voters citywide, favoring candidates backed by wealthy developers or special interest groups.
A ward system allows community-based candidates with smaller budgets to run competitively in their local area, promoting fairness in elections.
 
7. Common Practice in Large Cities
Most major Canadian cities of Surrey’s size, such as Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton, already use a ward system because it works better for large, diverse urban areas.
Surrey is now a major city and should adopt modern governance practices like its peers.