The Surrey Now-Leader reached out to all the local candidates in the federal election with a questionnaire allowing them to introduce themselves to voters. Candidates were all given the same questions, word counts and deadlines.
Below are the responses from the four Surrey-Newton candidates as received.
Salman Zafar, Communist Party Of Canada
Age: 39
What neighborhood do you live in? Sullivan
How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? 12 years
Have you held elected office in the past? If so, please specify: No. This is my first time running.
What riding are you running in: Surrey-Newton
Profession: Writer/Poet
What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and
what should be done about it?
The cost of living and it's impact on working class people, exacerbated
by Trump's tariffs. Workers are being laid off as the
impacts of US tariffs rain down on the country. The immediate needs of
workers are for Employment Insurance benefits that will pay the rent or
the mortgage, pay the heating and gas bills, and also feed the family.
The Communist Party will fight to increase EI benefits to 90% of
previous earnings, and to cover the full period of unemployment, which
are essential to protect workers and their families.
Candidate bio:
As a first time candidate, Salman is a proud union member and has called
Surrey home for over a decade. He has been politically active in
progressive movements since 2013, and has witnessed how establishment
parties across the board have continuously ignored the needs of working
class people in Surrey-Newton. Salman is a staunch advocate for
Palestinian liberation, affordable housing and fighting income
inequality, issues which the profit industrial complex is incapable of
addressing.
Social media accounts and website:
https://communist-party.ca/ Telephone number voters can reach you at:
416-469-2446 (Central Office).
Raj Singh Toor, NDP
Age: 60
What neighborhood do you live in? White Rock
How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? I lived in Surrey for more than 20 years. For the past 3 years, I have been living in White Rock .
Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: No
What riding are you running in: Surrey Newton
Profession: Retired
What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it?
Surrey–Newton families are feeling the pressure of rising rents, long ER wait times, and sky-high grocery bills. Rent has doubled since 2015, and many still lack access to a family doctor. The NDP will build 6 million affordable homes, increase health transfers, and ensure every Canadian has a doctor by 2030.
As Trump’s trade war hits Canadian jobs and Mark Carney pushes $43 billion in cuts to health and social services, Jagmeet Singh is offering bold, people-first solutions. He’s launching Canada Victory Bonds to invest in infrastructure with Canadian steel and protect good jobs.
To fight corporate greed at the checkout, the NDP will cap prices on essentials like pasta, infant formula, and frozen veggies, enforce a grocery code of conduct, and tax excessive profits from big grocery chains.
The NDP is fighting for working families—with action to lower costs, protect services, and defend our communities from global shocks and corporate abuse.
Candidate bio:
Dedicated and passionate advocate with a proven track record of successfully driving initiatives that honour historical legacies and promote social justice.
One of the founders of the non-profit Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society.
Raised his children in the Surrey-Newton area, and was responsible for the renaming of 75A Avenue in Surrey Newton to Komagata Maru Way. He also brought about the Komagata Maru storyboard that is installed nearby at R. A. Nicholson park.
He wants to bring the same energy that he channeled to educate Canadians about the Komagata Maru incident to help the people of Surrey Newton become a healthy and thriving community whose voice is heard by the government.
Social media accounts and website:
Facebook: Raj Singh Toor | Facebook; Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rajtoor1914; Email: rajkomagatamaru@gmail.com; Website: Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society - Descendants of the Komagata Maru Society – A site dedicated to educating people about the Komagata Maru Incident in Canada in 1914. Telephone number voters can reach you at: 778 386 0024.
Harjit Singh Gill, Conservative Party of Canada
Age: 57
What neighbourhood do you live in? Surrey
How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? 27 years
Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: No
What riding are you running in: Surrey–Newton
Profession: Civil Engineer, Radio Show Host, Community Advocate
What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it? The cost of living is the most urgent issue facing voters. Families struggle with rising grocery bills, sky-high rent or mortgage payments, and unaffordable fuel costs. We need common sense solutions to bring financial relief to Canadians. That starts with building more homes by cutting red tape and empowering builders, controlling government spending to fight inflation, and removing the carbon tax that makes everything more expensive. I am running with Pierre Poilievre and the Conservative team to restore affordability and give Canadians hope for a more prosperous, secure future.
Candidate bio:
I grew up in rural Punjab, India, and trained as a Civil Engineer. After working in India and Oman, I immigrated to Canada in 1997 and have proudly called Surrey home since. My wife Satwinder is a teacher, and together we’ve raised two children — one a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the other studying to become a school teacher. I’ve been active in community service for decades and have hosted a radio show since 2009, advocating for Surrey-Newton residents on issues like transportation, housing, and immigrant credential recognition. I’m running with the Conservative Party because it’s time for change. Pierre Poilievre has the vision to get Canada back on track — and I want to help bring it home for Surrey-Newton!
Social media accounts and website:
Instagram: harjitsgill4newton; Facebook: Harjit Singh Gill Official Page; Website: harjitgill.ca; Telephone number voters can reach you at: 604-902-8404
Sukh Dhaliwal, Liberal Party of Canada
Age: 64
What neighbourhood do you live in? Panorama Ridge
How many years have you lived in Surrey/White Rock/Delta? 28 years
Have you held elected office in past? If so, please specify: As Member of Parliament, represented riding of Newton – North Delta from 2006 - 2011 and riding of Surrey Newton from 2015 – present.
What riding are you running in: Surrey Newton
Profession: BC Land Surveyor, Professional Engineer, small business owner, and Fellow Engineers Canada
What is the most important issue facing voters in this election, and what should be done about it?
The most important issues facing voters in this election is protecting our economic security and public safety. In Surrey Newton, families are feeling the squeeze of rising costs — now made worse by unjust U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and autos. At the same time, public safety threats like foreign interference and gang violence demand urgent action. Our Liberal government is responding with strength. We’re fighting these U.S. tariffs with targeted retaliatory measures — hitting back where it hurts in the U.S., while minimizing harm here at home. We’re supporting workers through this crisis by easing access to benefits, deferring taxes, and backing businesses with new financing and regional supports. We will fight. We will protect. And we will build a stronger, more independent Canadian economy — one that doesn’t rely on the U.S. At home, we’re enhancing public safety through Bill C-70, cracking down on foreign interference, and securing our borders with 2,000 new RCMP and CBSA officers, new scanners, drones, and K-9 units. We're toughening bail and sentencing for violent, repeat offenders, and increasing protections against hate, intimate partner violence, and online crimes targeting children. This election is about standing up for Canada.
Candidate bio:
Sukh Dhaliwal has proudly served as Member of Parliament for Surrey Newton since 2015, after previously representing Newton–North Delta from 2006 to 2011. A professional engineer, land surveyor, and small business owner, Sukh has been active in the Surrey community, serving with SEEDS, the City of Surrey’s Parks Committee, and the Surrey Memorial Hospital Foundation. He leads one of Canada’s busiest constituency offices, reflecting his strong dedication to helping residents. In Parliament, he has chaired the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration and served on committees for International Trade, Transportation, Infrastructure, and Ethics. Sukh has called Surrey home for over 25 years with his wife Roni. Together, they’ve raised three children
Social media accounts and website:
Facebook: /sukhdhaliwalmp; X: @sukhdhaliwal; Instagram: @sukhdhaliwalmp; Website: www.teamsukhdhaliwal.com; Telephone number voters can reach you at: 604-626-5000
