‘Public has every right to know’: John Horgan on Surrey police transition report

SURREY (NEWS 1130) – As Surrey prepares to send its police transition report to the province, B.C.’s Premier says people in that city should have the right to see what it says.

John Horgan says residents should get a chance to see the details of the proposed transition given what’s at stake.

“I certainly believe that transparency would be the order of the day,” Horgan adds. “When you’re making such an extraordinary change in how activity takes place in Surrey, how law enforcement will be conducted, who will be conducting that law enforcement, I think the public has every right to know that.”

RELATED: Surrey city councillor calls for public consultation on police force transition

That’s a different position than Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum, who has said the report will be unavailable to the public.

Surrey Councillor Jack Hundial has also been outspoken against the city’s lack of consultation, noting he won’t back down despite having been called out by McCallum.

“When it comes to policing though, the minister of public safety has a role to play,” Horgan adds. “And I know Minister Farnworth has been in touch with Mayor MacCallum and they’ve had significant conversations. We’ll have to take a look at the report they’re going to prepare for us and where it goes from there is up to Minister Farnworth.”

Last week a number of councillors voiced concerns with the lack of consultation as the city prepares to send the report.