Elenore Sturko has had one of the most eventful rides in BC politics. She entered the legislature through a September 2022 by-election in Surrey South as a BC Liberal, called after longtime MLA Stephanie Cadieux resigned to become Canada's first chief accessibility officer. News reports at the time had her taking about 52 per cent of the vote. Two years later she crossed the floor to the BC Conservatives and won Surrey-Cloverdale in the October 2024 general election.
Before politics she worked as an RCMP officer. News reports have described her as serving about 13 years in the force, rising to the rank of staff sergeant, with postings that took her from Langley to Yellowknife to Ottawa, where she rode with the Musical Ride, and finally to Surrey, where she served as a detachment spokesperson. During her service she also advised on issues related to gender, sexual orientation and harassment, news profiles noted. That account comes from news reporting; we have not found it confirmed on an official source.
In the legislature she has put that background to use on public safety files. She sponsored Bill M 241, the Interpretation Amendment Act, 2026, which would repeal section 8.1 of the Interpretation Act, the provision requiring BC laws to be interpreted through the lens of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In late 2025, local news coverage reported her pressing the government to make that change, arguing British Columbians had not elected the UN to govern the province. On the 2022 campaign trail she said health care was the top concern she heard at the doors, with transportation and labour issues close behind for businesses.
She left the BC Conservative caucus in September 2025 and sat as an independent. She joined the newly formed CentreBC party on September 18, 2026. Elections BC’s final candidate list confirms she is the CentreBC candidate in Surrey South for the October 24 vote.
Whatever the label, she remains one of the most watched figures heading into the October 24 vote.
Editor's note: the legislature was dissolved on September 22, 2026 and a provincial election was called for October 24, 2026. Offices above reflect the 43rd Parliament.
This profile is part of Apna News' Candidates series, introducing the people who represent Surrey and its neighbouring communities. Apna News is Surrey's new multilingual news platform. If you spot something to correct or add, reach us at info@apnanews.ca.
Official links: Legislature member page
