Six MP candidates are competing for residents' votes in Surrey Centre on Monday, April 28, in Canada's next federal election.
Voters in Surrey Centre will have a choice of Liberal incumbent Randeep Sarai, New Democratic Party candidate Dominic Denofrio, Conservative Rajvir Dhillon, Green candidate Krishan Khurana and People's Party of Canada candidate Beverly Tanchak.
This riding, created by the 2012 federal electoral boundaries redistribution, is 39 kilometres squared with a population of 119,724 and of that, 69,889 eligible voters are on the list, according to Elections Canada.
Running west along 88 from 148 Street, its boundary line then runs north on Scott Road, turns west on 96 Avenue to the Fraser River, then carries on to the Port Mann bridge from where it runs southeast along Highway 1 to 152 Street, then west along 100 Avenue to 148 Street, where it runs south down to 88 Avenue.
Historically, Surrey residents in this riding have voted Liberal, with Sarai winning each federal election since its creation (2015, 2019 and 2021 federal elections). NDP candidates came second in all three elections, followed by Conservative candidates in third place.
Peace Arch News reached out to each of the riding's candidates with a questionnaire.
Here are their responses, in alphabetical order:
Ryan Abbott, Communist Party of Canada
1. Candidate's first and last name: Ryan Abbott
2. Party affiliation: Communist Party of Canada
3. Candidate's age: 34
4. What neighbourhood do you live in? Whalley
5. How many years have you lived in Surrey? 5
6. Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: Our party has held two seats in Parliament in the past and our chances get better each election.
7. What riding are you running in: Surrey Centre
8. Profession: Industrial Painter & Sandblaster
9. Social media accounts and website:
Instagram: @communist.party.canada
X: @ComPartyCanada
FB: CommunistPartyOfCanada
www.communist-party.ca
10. Telephone number voters can reach you at:
11. What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and
what should be done about it?
Capitalism is out of gas and is now stripping the economy for parts, and Trump is just a symptom of American decline which now threatens to plunge the world into fascism, war and climate disaster.
Economic and political sovereignty is at the forefront of this election. We call for public, democratic ownership of energy and resources, the immediate withdrawal from NATO, NORAD and the USMCA trade agreement with U.S., replacing this parasitic agreement with mutually beneficial trade deals with the world. We call for the nationalization of steel and auto production, Bombardier, Air Canada, and CN. Furthermore we will double the corporate tax rate, ban plant closures and capital flight while making massive investments in public healthcare, green energy, transit and two million units of publicly owned housing with rents
geared-to-income. This is what it will take to face this crisis. This is what economic sovereignty looks like.
The corporate consensus would have us scrap job-saving inter-provincial trade barriers, proceed with de-industrialization, strip us of our labour rights and throw away two per cent of our GDP to NATO in hopes of lifting American tariffs.
Instead of war and austerity, we call for peace and prosperity!
12. Candidate bio:
Originally from a small farming community in Alberta, Ryan moved to B.C. in 2015 frustrated with the boom-and-bust economy there. He rents a place in Surrey while working across the province on refineries, shipyards, export terminals, and transit hubs as an Industrial Painter. He is a proud union member, a workplace safety rep, and a part-time theologian. Ryan has represented the Communist Party in three previous elections, and is out campaigning as much as possible while working a
full time.
Dominic Denofrio, New Democratic Party of Canada (responses not received by press deadline)
Rajvir Dhillon, Conservative Party of Canada
1. Candidate’s first and last name: Rajvir Singh Dhillon
2. Party affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
3. Candidate’s age: 47
4. What neighbourhood do you live in? Surrey
5. How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? 17 years
6. Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: None.
7. What riding are you running in: Surrey Centre
8. Profession: Lawyer
9. Social media accounts and https://surreycentre.conservativeeda.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/share/1FTBrXUeTy/
10. Telephone number voters can reach you at: 778-556-3400
11. What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it?
The most important issue facing voters in this election is the cost of living. In Surrey Centre, families are working harder than ever but falling further behind. Groceries, gas, housing—everything costs more. People are forced to choose between paying bills and feeding their children. Small businesses are struggling to stay afloat under high Liberal taxes and red tape. As someone who’s worked hard jobs, run a household, and built a legal career from the ground up, I understand these struggles personally. Canadians deserve better.
A new Conservative government, led by Pierre Poilievre, will make life more affordable again. We will reward hard working Canadians by cutting taxes so they can bring home more powerful paycheques. We will axe the sales tax on new homes, remove the gatekeepers who block home building and build homes that Canadians can afford. We will cut red tape, to unleash our businesses, so they can grow and our workers can thrive. I’m running in Surrey Centre as your common sense Conservative candidate to lower the cost of living and to put Canada First — For a Change.
12. Candidate bio:
I’m Rajvir Singh Dhillon—a lawyer, father, and proud Canadian running to bring common sense leadership to Surrey Centre. Born in Punjab, I worked in mills and gas stations before becoming a lawyer here in British Columbia. For over a decade, I’ve helped families, small businesses, and newcomers navigate our legal system. I know firsthand the struggles working Canadians face because I’ve lived them. I’m running to tackle the rising cost of living, make our communities safer, and put Canada first. As your Conservative candidate, I will fight for lower taxes, responsible spending, and more opportunity for everyday people. I believe in service, hard work, and delivering real results—not political games. On April 28, I ask for your support to fight for our future.
Krishan Khurana, Green Party of Canada (responses not received by press deadline)
Randeep Sarai, Liberal Party of Canada (incumbent)
1. Candidate’s first and last name: Randeep Sarai
2. Party affiliation: Liberal Party of Canada
3. Candidate’s age: 49
4. What neighbourhood do you live in?: Fleetwood
5. How many years have you lived in Surrey?: 21 years
6. Have you held elected office in the past? If so, please specify: Yes, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre since 2015
7. What riding are you running in: Surrey Centre 8. Profession: Lawyer / Politician
9. Social media accounts and website: Instagram: @surreysarai, Facebook: @Randeep S. Sarai, X: @randeepssarai, Website: randeepsaraisurrey.ca
10. Telephone number voters can reach you at: 604-455-2299
11. What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it?
One of the most critical issues facing voters in this election is affordability—especially related to housing. The soaring costs of homes and rent are squeezing middle-class families, creating a growing divide in society. To address this, our Liberal party will assertively build more housing and reduce bureaucratic red tape that delays construction. Streamlining the permitting process and investing in modern technology for quicker, more efficient development can speed up construction without compromising quality.
In addition, fighting looming tariffs is a priority for voters. We must address these tariffs aggressively, and diversifying the economy through robust international trade agreements will increase our global competitiveness. This, in turn, can drive job creation and higher wages for the middle class. With over 50 free trade agreements, we can open new markets and create a stronger, more resilient economy.
Moreover, targeted programs— Liberal programs like dental care, child care, and pharmacare—are essential to support the broader well-being of Canadians, particularly for those struggling with the rising cost of living. Increasing the supply of affordable housing, alongside wage growth, is the foundation for building a fairer, more prosperous society for all.
12. Candidate bio:
Randeep Sarai is a community leader, lawyer, and entrepreneur who has served as the Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre since 2015. He has championed key projects including SFU Surrey’s Environmental Engineering campus, a Veterans Affairs Centre, and Canada’s largest forensic lab. He played a pivotal role in securing the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain extension and bringing the PacificCan headquarters to Surrey. In Ottawa, Randeep has served on the Foreign Affairs and International Development Committee, chaired the Justice and Human Rights Committee, and was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. He lives in Surrey with his wife Sarbjeet and their three children, who are active in sports, arts, and culture. Randeep enjoys yoga, jogging, and time with their Labrador.
Beverly Tanchak, People's Party of Canada
1. Candidate’s first and last name: Beverly Tanchak
2. Party affiliation: People’s Party of Canada (PPC)
3. Candidate’s age: 74 years
4. What neighbourhood do you live in? South Surrey
5. How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? Two and a half years.
6. Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: Elected Sechelt Councillor, 1996-1999
7. What riding are you running in: Surrey Centre
8. Profession: Retired. Producer, organizer, administration
9. Social media accounts and website:
10. Telephone number voters can reach you at: 604 561 6953
11. What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it?
Globalist policy, including mass immigration, authoritarian governance, eroding national economies, national infrastructure breakdown, the demise of democracy, suppression of free speech and citizen freedoms are all social ills coming directly from globalist policies.
Globalist wars, both territorial and trade wars, keep people in fear and anger and are thus easily manipulated. Canadians need to know that the antidote to globalism is found in the values based policy platform of The People’s Party of Canada.
The PPC promotes peace on the front lines of battle and around the negotiation table. The PPC supports national and personal autonomy. Freedoms, especially freedom of speech, much attacked in Canada and around the world flourish in the context of the PPC’s policies which open the door to Canada’s future as a country. The opposite is true of the reactionary policies of the other parties. Canadians must act now. In this election, Canadians have the choice and opportunity to secure itself as a democratic free country. Canadians must support the PPC.
12. Candidate bio:
I am a fan of and participant in democracy. I fear that our country and our life style is at risk . I believe in the free speech and Canadians first policies of the PPC. I can take criticism from those who oppose me and I am grateful and loyal to supporters. I am passionate about our Charter of Rights and Freedoms and personal responsibility. I firmly believe that especially in times like these, everyone has to do something! I got my name on the ballot so that citizens in Surrey Centre have a People’s Party of Canada choice in this election.
