With election day fast approaching, Surrey is once again emerging as a key battleground in the race to form B.C.’s next government. The city is home to more than 10 per cent of the province’s 93 electoral districts, and several races there in the last provincial election were decided by narrow margins. “The common wisdom is that the election is going to be decided in Surrey—particularly in the central and northern areas of Surrey—because that’s where the swing voters are,” political analyst and University of the Fraser Valley Prof. Hamish Telford told CTV News. In 2024, the B.C. Conservatives won six Surrey seats, while the NDP won four. Among the races to watch this time around is Surrey–Panorama, where B.C. Conservative Bryan Tepper is seeking re-election against NDP candidate Jinny Sims. Tepper won the riding in 2024 by just 263 votes, receiving 8,735 votes, compared with 8,472 for Sims. Sims, who is trying to regain the seat she previously held, said keeping the Conservatives from forming government is the reason she decided to run. “Why do we want to let the poison that is Trump, that is south of the border, come into our communities?” Sims told CTV News. “That’s the only reason I’m running: To make sure the Conservatives don’t form government.” Tepper, meanwhile, was campaigning in Surrey Thursday alongside B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerksen. “I’ve been knocking on doors all across the riding and after talking to hundreds of voters, one thing is for sure, we’re feeling some serious momentum,” Tepper told a crowd of supporters. Two other candidates are also vying for the Surrey–Panorama seat: CentreBC’s Manav Manro and the B.C. Green Party’s Nolen Scott. According to his CentreBC profile, Manro is a local businessman with a background in hospitality who is campaigning on issues including affordability, health-care delays, overcrowded schools, public safety and economic opportunity. Scott is a film and television professional, musician and labour organizer who has worked in B.C.’s film industry for nearly a decade. His Green Party profile says he has advocated for stronger labour protections and is campaigning on issues including affordable housing and support for working people and families. Surrey–Guildford a tight race Just north of Surrey–Panorama is another riding that came down to the wire in 2024. In Surrey–Guildford, NDP incumbent Garry Begg is facing B.C. Conservative candidate Garry Thind, setting up what could be dubbed a “battle of the Garrys.” The riding was decided by just 22 votes in the 2024 election, making it one of the closest races in the province. Small business owner Jodi Murphy is also running in Surrey–Guildford for the B.C. Greens. Final voting day is Saturday, Oct. 24, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
