Surrey a key battleground in Oct. 19 B.C. election

It’s one of B.C.’s fastest growing cities and its 10 ridings are key for the province’s political parties as they look to form the next government.

Surrey has turned into a key battleground, with party leaders spending a significant amount of time campaigning south of the Fraser River.

New Democratic Party Leader David Eby launched his campaign in early September in the city, he revealed the party’s platform there, and he made other key announcements and promises in the municipality.

Conservative Leader John Rustad has also put a focus on campaigning south of the Fraser — no surprise given the breadth of high-profile, hot-button issues in Surrey.

Healthcare, hospitals, education — including SOGI — rapid transit, and public safety have all been getting attention on the campaign trail.

Historically, voters in Surrey have swung between parties from election to election, and the NDP is looking to protect key ridings like Surrey-Cloverdale and win the new Surrey-Serpentine River electoral district, which the Conservatives also see as battlegrounds for some of their stronger candidates.

In Surrey-Serpentine River, the NDP’s Baltej Dhillon is facing Conservative candidate — and former Surrey mayor — Linda Hepner.

In Surrey-Cloverdale, incumbent NDP candidate Mike Starchuk is in a tough race against Conservative Elenore Sturko.

All indications are that the NDP and Conservatives covet Surrey’s key ridings, think they are in play, and are fighting hard for wins on Oct. 19.

Meanwhile, the Green Party has largely been absent in Surrey, focusing instead on campaigning to support its candidates on Vancouver Island and in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.