SURREY, B.C. - Surrey First mayoral candidate Linda Annis is backing the BC Conservatives’ pledge to build a bridge to replace the George Massey Tunnel and a new Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Surrey, calling for a “team Surrey” approach to get infrastructure built.
Annis said Thursday the Conservative commitment is good news for Surrey commuters who have watched years of political back-and-forth on the crossing. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson announced the party would build a 10-lane bridge to replace the tunnel, complete the delayed Surrey Hospital in Cloverdale, and build the women’s and children’s hospital.
“All of us in Surrey have watched the politics play out on replacing the Massey Tunnel, and there is overwhelming local support for a bridge rather than another tunnel,” Annis said. “If the NDP government had not cancelled the original bridge replacement project we would already be using the new bridge.”
The BC Liberals were advancing a 10-lane bridge when the NDP took power in 2017 and scrapped it in favour of an eight-lane immersed tube tunnel. The tunnel project’s budget has since more than doubled to over $8 billion, and the province cut ties with its contractor in June.
The NDP has pushed back, saying Doerkson would “stop” and “revisit” the project, putting at risk a $3 billion federal funding commitment for the tunnel secured by the Eby government. The NDP says South of the Fraser residents cannot afford further delays.
Annis also praised the hospital commitments, saying Surrey is about to become BC’s largest city but remains underserved on health care, transit and schools. As mayor, she said she would hold regular meetings with Surrey’s MLAs and MPs to press for infrastructure.
“Our MLAs and MPs need to know that their city and its residents are counting on them when they head off to Ottawa and Victoria,” Annis said. “It is impossible to become premier of British Columbia without winning in Surrey.”
Annis is running for mayor of Surrey in the October 17 municipal election as the Surrey First candidate. She is a former city councillor.
This story is based on a Surrey First media release. Apna News has not independently verified the claims. The BC NDP response cited is from the party’s public statement.
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