Mayor Brenda Locke releases her top priorities during her swearing in ceremony
Darpan News Desk City of Surrey, 08 Nov, 2022 04:31 PM
Surrey, B.C. - The new Surrey City Council was sworn in during an inauguration ceremony on Monday night at City Hall.
Mayor Brenda Locke outlined her top priorities as she begins her 4-year term. Mayor Locke's vision and commitment to residents is to ensure transparency, restore public engagement, and maintain Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction.
"Surrey deserves a Council that values public input, delivers on promises and above all else, is ethical and transparent," said Mayor Brenda Locke. "Restoring integrity and public engagement will be the focus of my work every step of the way. My immediate priorities are maintaining Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction, ensuring extensive public input on the city's budget, strengthening the independence of the Ethics Commissioner and creating a stronger role for youth in our city. All voices will be heard and I look forward to working with all the residents of Surrey."
1. Maintaining Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction
Work has already begun to maintain Surrey RCMP as the police of jurisdiction for the City, including producing a report outlining the plan. When complete, this plan will be released publicly for all to see.
1. Public Consultation on the City Budget
Seeking community input on the City of Surrey's Financial Plan will be a top focus and priority. Opportunities will be made available for residents to provide input and feedback in each of the City's town centres.
1. Strengthening the Office of the Ethics Commissioner
The City of Surrey Ethics Commissioner will be strengthened to ensure independence and transparency.
Workers applying for employment insurance benefits will have to qualify based on pre-pandemic rules starting Sunday, when temporary measures are set to expire. The Liberal government has pledged to reform EI and address gaps in the program, but temporary measures that were put in place during the pandemic will expire before any reform is implemented.
Vancouver Police say an investigation is underway after a patient allegedly armed with a knife chased a doctor at BC Women's Hospital and tried to access a locked nursery as staff hid to protect themselves. Sgt. Steve Addison says he has listened to chilling 911 calls from staff and social workers fearful of the volatile woman, whose child is also a patient at the hospital.
A statement from the RCMP's federal serious and organized crime team says the investigation began in August 2019, when the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a 12-kilogram shipment of methamphetamine destined for Japan.
Following a six-month investigation, IHIT investigators identified Justin Bos as a suspect in the homicide of Mr. Mostat. On September 21, 2022, Bos was arrested by IHIT for the murder and charged with second degree murder of Cody Mostat.
Merritt’s chief administrative officer says the one-year trial, approved by council on Tuesday, will see city hall closed on Mondays, with operational hours extended Tuesday through Friday to 8 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., an extra hour and 45 minutes each day.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has agreed to let a cabinet order enforcing mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirements at the Canadian border expire at the end of this month. The change will also bring an end to COVID-19 border testing, which is currently mandatory for unvaccinated international travellers and random for those who are vaccinated.
