BC NDP Promises Surrey Its Own Municipal Charter
David Eby pledged on October 15, 2026 that a re-elected BC NDP government would give Surrey standalone provincial legislation, similar to the Vancouver Charter passed in 1953.
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BC NDP leader David Eby promised on October 15, 2026, that a re-elected NDP government would give Surrey its own provincial legislation, modeled on the Vancouver Charter. The announcement follows a push by Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke that began more than two years ago.
Surrey currently operates under the Community Charter and BC's Local Government Act, which apply to most municipalities. Vancouver has instead operated under the standalone Vancouver Charter since 1953, which gives it wider authority over bylaws, land use, taxation, spending, and borrowing.
The BC NDP says a Surrey Charter would give the city more local control over housing, transportation, infrastructure, and community services. Eby said the city needs tools to match its size: "A municipal charter will give people on the ground the power to shape the city's future."
The commitment follows Surrey City Council's September 2024 unanimous approval of a charter outline that included authority for a municipal Empty Homes Tax, broader revenue sources, higher maximum bylaw fines, and more business support. Council also sought exemptions from provincial housing requirements. The Eby announcement does not specify which of those requests would be included in the NDP's version, or give a timeline for legislation.
Daily Hive's report notes that an earlier proposal to amend the Vancouver Charter to allow dissolution of the elected Park Board was halted after opposition from Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and First Nations concerns, illustrating that charter changes can face obstacles after an election. The NDP's Surrey Charter commitment gives no detail on First Nations consultation requirements.
The announcement also follows changes in other parts of the province. Daily Hive notes that Okanagan Falls is set to become BC's first new municipality created since the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act became law, with a reconciliation framework for the Osoyoos Indian Band built into its incorporation documents.
Surrey has several provincial ridings. Conservative and Green candidates are also running in those districts. No response to the NDP announcement from the other parties was included in the Daily Hive report.
Voters in Surrey-area ridings can see their candidates and district pages at /bc/provincial-2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. General voting day is October 24, 2026.
Questions this story answers
What did David Eby promise about Surrey on October 15, 2026?
BC NDP leader David Eby committed that a re-elected NDP government would create a Surrey Charter: standalone provincial legislation giving Surrey broader authority over its own affairs. The BC NDP says this would give Surrey more flexibility on housing, transportation, infrastructure, and community services. Eby said at the announcement: 'Surrey is on track to become B.C.'s largest city, and it needs the tools to match its size. A municipal charter will give people on the ground the power to shape the city's future.'
What is the difference between Surrey's current situation and the Vancouver Charter?
Surrey currently operates under the Community Charter and the B.C. Local Government Act, which govern most BC municipalities. Vancouver instead has the Vancouver Charter, standalone legislation passed in 1953 that gives it wider authority over bylaws, land use, taxation, spending, and borrowing. The NDP commitment is to create separate provincial legislation for Surrey that would similarly go beyond the standard framework that applies to other cities.
Who first proposed the Surrey Charter idea?
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke of Surrey Connect brought the proposal to Surrey City Council more than two years before Eby's announcement. In July 2024 she directed City staff to examine how a Surrey Charter could work. In September 2024, Surrey City Council voted unanimously to approve an outline that included authority for a municipal Empty Homes Tax, broader revenue sources, higher maximum bylaw fines, more business support, and exemptions from some provincial housing requirements.
Does Eby's promise match what Surrey City Council asked for?
The BC NDP announcement on October 15 does not spell out which specific Surrey Charter requests would be included, or a timeline for legislation. Surrey City Council's 2024 outline included requests for discretion over density around transit hubs, parking, public hearings, and retaining single-family zones. Whether any of those would be in the NDP's version is not stated in the campaign commitment.
Are there other parties offering Surrey a charter or similar powers?
The BC NDP announcement does not reference commitments from other parties on this topic. Voters can compare party platforms at /bc/provincial-2026 and view the Surrey-area district pages for local candidate information.
What Surrey ridings are in the October 24 election?
Multiple provincial ridings cover Surrey. You can find candidates and district information for each on this site at /bc/provincial-2026. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21. General voting day is October 24, 2026.
How does this commitment compare to what happened with the Vancouver Park Board changes?
Daily Hive's report notes that proposed 2025 Vancouver Charter amendments to allow dissolution of the elected Park Board were halted amid opposition from Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim and First Nations concerns. The comparison illustrates that amending municipal charters can involve First Nations consultation provisions. The NDP's Surrey Charter commitment gives no details on consultation requirements.
Where can I read the full Daily Hive report on this promise?
The full report by Daily Hive Vancouver, published October 15, 2026, is at dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ndp-david-eby-surrey-charter-platform-promise. It covers the announcement, the history of Surrey Council's request, and context about the Vancouver Charter.
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