Surrey mayor, council overturn ban of RCMP supporters from meetings

Seven supporters of the Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaign will once again be allowed at city council meetings after a months-long ban was overturned.

On Monday, Mayor Doug McCallum brought a resolution to rescind the ban — which he himself proposed. The two conditions he outlined were that the seven individuals “refrain from harassing council members and city staff,” and that they follow a city bylaw that requires people to only make comments relevant to the matter under consideration.

RELATED: Surrey mayor, supporters bar some residents from council meetings

The ban on attending in-person meetings came into effect in September, after being supported by McCallum and his slate who said it was necessary to “protect council and city staff ” from people who had been “disruptive” and “hostile.” Opposing councillors slammed it as undemocratic, accusing the mayor of abusing his power in order to silence his critics.

Last Wednesday six of the seven people named filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court, challenging the move as unconstitutional. The claim also challenges a recent by-law change that expanded the definition of what constitutes a political sign, and limits what kinds of signs can be displayed on private property.

Kevin Smith, one of the lawyers representing the group, says the two moves violated Canadians’ Charter right to freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression.

“Everyone should have an interest in ensuring that government can’t suppress that kind of expression simply because it may be critical of them,” he said.

RELATED: Keep the RCMP in Surrey campaigners launch court challenege of council ban

Speaking in favour Monday, Coun. Laurie Guerra said she hopes to see a “more respectful discourse” going forward.

“People have a right to their opinion as long as it’s maintained respectfully on both sides.”
Coun. Steven Pettigrew asked if the mayor or the city would be apologizing. The city’s lawyer said that decision would be up to council even though the matter of the ban is before the courts. Coun. Brenda Locke said she also supports an apology, saying it would be “appropriate” because the seven people were “maligned in the media.”

McCallum did not amend or revise the resolution to include an apology.

“I’m going to leave at that,” he said, before calling the vote. The resolution passed.

Replacing the RCMP with a municipal police force was one of McCallum’s key campaign promises in 2018. Since he was elected, the transition has been controversial.

The first officers with the Surrey Police Service were deployed in late November. However, opponents of the transition have continued to be critical, saying the move is opposed by the majority of residents, lacks transparency, and is too expensive. Coun. Brenda Locke has announced she will run against McCallum for mayor in 2022, halting the police transition is the first plank in her platform.

On Dec.10, McCallum was charged with public mischief after a special prosecutor was appointed to look into an incident from September where the mayor alleged an opponent of replacing the RCMP ran over his foot with their car. The charge prompted opponents on council, and pro-RCMP campaigners to call for McCallum to immediately resign.