SURREY, BC — Former BC Labour Minister and five-term Surrey-Newton MLA Harry Bains has endorsed Mike Starchuk for mayor of Surrey, adding to the Imagine Surrey candidate’s growing list of supporters ahead of the October 17 municipal election.
Bains, who served as BC’s Minister of Labour from 2017 to 2024, has known Starchuk for more than 20 years. Their association spans Starchuk’s 32-year career with Surrey Fire Services, his time on Surrey City Council and his four years as MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale, when both served in the provincial legislature.
“I have known Mike for over 20 years, as a firefighter, city councillor, and MLA. I found him to be genuinely committed to improving workers’ health and safety, and he has been a strong voice for his constituents,” Bains said.
Starchuk highlighted their shared commitment to workplace safety and workers’ rights, noting that his experience in the fire service included helping injured firefighters and their families secure compensation.
As a former Local 1271 officer and workers’ compensation advocate, Starchuk helped injured firefighters and their families recover more than $14 million in wages and benefits, according to his campaign.
Imagine Surrey’s platform includes a proposed Frontline Guarantee that promises no layoffs of frontline staff, no facility closures and no reduced hours. The plan also calls for ending the outsourcing of frontline services, good-faith collective bargaining on wages and working conditions, a living wage as city contracts renew, and community benefit agreements for major city projects to support local hiring and apprenticeships.
“I’m proud to have Harry’s support,” Starchuk said. He urged Surrey voters to elect a team that respects the workers who keep the city running.
Bains joins former Surrey-Whalley MLA and cabinet minister Bruce Ralston, Unifor Local 3000, the New Westminster and District Labour Council, former BC Green Party leader Dr. Andrew Weaver and former Surrey Leader reporter Kevin Diakiw in endorsing Starchuk.
Advance voting is scheduled for October 7, 10, 14 and 15, with election day on Saturday, October 17. Polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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