Surrey, B.C.
By Charmaine Y. Rodriguez
Diverse group vows to transform Surrey into a “City of Champions”
Surrey mayoral candidate Mike Starchuk and the Imagine Surrey team announced their first four candidates for the 2026 municipal slate.
They are William Li, Kevin Wilkie, Narima Dela Cruz and Yousef Aldabainah-Barakat, who represent diverse neighborhood roots, united by a record of frontline community service and a proven ability to bring people together across Surrey, the group said in a statement.
Dela Cruz, a court interpreter/award-winning community leader from Surrey Centre, said her priority is the safety of Surrey residents.
“The response to our transnational extortion crisis has been late and mishandled. Coupled with the Surrey Police Service transition, it means that Surrey residents are unsure who will protect us at a time when we need it the most. You deserve to feel safe, and that’s our top priority.” Dela Cruz said.
Li, a trade and export entrepreneur and community volunteer from Sullivan, will work to bring change and innovation that the city needs.
“Surrey is stuck, with a Council and Mayor focused on the wrong priorities and too much infighting. It’s time for a change,” Li said.
Wilkie, a sustainability expert and new dad from South Surrey, envisions green projects for the city.
“Surrey has unlimited potential. From new sidewalks and more rapid transit, to a new riverfront development and international Cricket stadium. We imagine that Surrey,” Wilkie stated.
Aldabainah-Barakat, a former chief of staff and social worker from Newton, said the group reflects the future of Surrey.
Starchuk said the team represents the city’s hardworking people.
“Each candidate comes with skills that complement one another, providing the only alternative that delivers change people want, without the chaos they’ve unfortunately become used to,” he added.
Dela Cruz, a longtime resident of Surrey, has experience as a voice for young people, service organizations and underserved communities of all kinds.
She has served as a Parents’ Advisory Council (PAC) officer at her children’s former schools in Guildford. She is also a passionate, dedicated community
volunteer, having contributed nearly two decades of service in various capacities to charitable foundations, immigrant communities and service-oriented groups.
She is the founder and long-standing leader of SPIDS, an organization representing Surrey’s hardworking, welcoming, and vibrant Filipino community.
Filipinos are the third largest immigrant group in Surrey.
Between 2016 and 2021, the Filipino community in Surrey grew by over 23% or a total of 39,290, solidifying its place as one of the largest visible minority groups in the city, according to Statistics Canada.