Black Press Media reached out to all the local candidates in the B.C. provincial 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 as received, with questions in bold, followed by candidate answers in their own words.
Here are the responses we received for the candidates in Surrey North.
CANDIDATE: Mandeep Dhaliwal, Conservative Party of B.C.
Mandeep Dhaliwal did not respond to several requests by Black Press Media to fill out the questionnaire.
CANDIDATE: Kiran Hundal, Freedom Party of B.C.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: Surrey
ONE-SENTENCE BIO: Kiran is a wife and mother of two children, holds diplomas in Business Management and Business Administration, she is a problem solver, driven to encourage open dialogue and find solutions.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED? Kiran is a long-time resident of Surrey, a wife and mother of 2 children. She is a professional within the Surrey School District. She holds diplomas in Business Management and Business Administration.
Kiran has past experience in the political field when she ran for council member in the Surrey Mayoral election in 2022.
She wants to be a voice for citizens and incite change in areas such as affordable housing, lowering taxes, freedom of medical choice, and access to quality and affordable food by supporting local food producers and local markets. Kiran strives to promote education that raises independent and critical thinkers. Her vision is for a Government that works for its citizens not corporations or special interest groups.
Her passions include service to others which are complimented by her problem-solving skills and abilities.
Her interests and activities include hiking in nature, inspirational music, reading, and spending time with her children. She believes deeply in teaching our youth about the importance of honesty, integrity, and transparency.
TOP 3 PRIORITY ISSUES:
1. Affordable food and housing
2. Examine education system
3. Question current taxation policies
CANDIDATE: Hobby Nijjar, independent
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: Surrey North
ONE-SENTENCE BIO: I’m an HVAC apprentice and former truck driver, Uber driver, and construction worker with hands-on experience in the community.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED? I’m not tied to any political party, so I will focus fully on what’s best for the people of Surrey. With my background in various industries — HVAC, trucking, construction — I understand the real struggles families face. I will work to bring practical solutions to the challenges we deal with every day, like affordable housing, better jobs, and improved transportation. As an independent, I’ll listen directly to your concerns and make sure your voice is heard in the Legislature. My goal is to make Surrey a safer, more affordable, and thriving community for everyone, without being caught in party politics.
TOP 3 PRIORITY ISSUES:
1. Affordable housing / renting
2. Job creation / improving transportation
3. Safety and awareness
CANDIDATE: Sim Sandhu, Green Party of B.C.
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: New Westminster
ONE-SENTENCE BIO: Sim Sandhu is dedicated to building a sustainable future for Surrey North by advocating for climate action, environmental stewardship, and social equity.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED? I should be elected as the Green Party representative for Surrey North because I am committed to addressing the most pressing issues of our time—climate change, housing affordability, and social equity. We need to make better future with best use of energy, so can middle class can revive. We need to reduce inflation by improving use of budget because British Columbia budget is in deficit. The Green Party of BC is the only party that puts the environment at the center of all its policies, recognizing that a healthy planet is key to a prosperous and just society. We need to use technology like def in trucks , reforming better treatment of water damage by industrial use with new technology and will work to transition our economy to one powered by clean energy, protect our natural resources, and ensure that Surrey North has sustainable infrastructure. As a candidate, I also prioritize affordable housing, improved public transportation, and healthcare reform that includes mental health services and universal pharmacare. I believe in transparent government and strong community engagement.
TOP 3 PRIORITY ISSUES:
1. Climate Action and Green Jobs
2. Affordable Housing and Livable Communities
3. Public Healthcare, Mental Health Services
CANDIDATE: Rachna Singh, B.C. NDP
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?: North Delta
ONE-SENTENCE BIO: As a two-time elected official, I've had the privilege of serving Surrey North in various roles.
WHY SHOULD YOU BE ELECTED? I’ve had the privilege of being the Minister of Education and Childcare, the Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism, and the MLA of Surrey North, formerly Surrey Green Timbers. It’s been an honour working to make sure our kids have the best education possible and to deliver results for our community.
Over the years, I’ve worked closely with local families and organizations to address big challenges. As Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism, I was part of creating the BC Anti-racism Action Plan.
As the Minister of Education, I’ve worked to expand affordable childcare and invested a historical amount into Surrey schools. Along with the BC NDP and David Eby, I’m delivering over 15,000 student seats in Surrey at 34 new and expanded schools. These are needed spots that John Rustad would stop. Rustad’s cuts would mean cancelling new schools, firing teachers, and increasing class sizes. Surrey North and our kids cannot afford that risk.
If re-elected, I’ll keep prioritizing what matters most to you, working to ensure our community remains an inclusive and thriving place.
TOP 3 PRIORITY ISSUES:
1.Continue to invest in education
2. Continue to invest in healthcare
3. Continue to build middle-class homes
