The B.C. NDP’s Bruce Ralston handily defeated B.C. Liberal candidate Radhia Banalia in 2009 to win a second term as MLA for Surrey-Whalley, collecting 66.5 per cent of the vote.
A Liberal victory in 2001 is the only success the party has had in Surrey-Whalley in the last five elections, and came in a year when the NDP was crushed province-wide, winning only two seats.
Ralston won easily in 2005, taking 55 per cent of the vote compared to just 31 per cent for the Liberals. That margin grew to more than 6,000 votes four years ago.
The Liberal party, which received 26 per cent of the vote in the last election, will send Radio Punjab talk show host Kuljeet Kaur to battle Ralston in Whalley.
Pradeep Kumar, a welder who immigrated to Canada in 1985, was to represent the B.C. Green party, but a party spokesperson told The Leader last week Kumar has resigned due to “unforeseen circumstances.” The Greens have until April 26 to register a new candidate with Elections B.C.
Sunny Chohan, a manager in the telecommunications industry, is representing the B.C. Conservatives.
And Jag Bhandari, leader of the new B.C. Vision party, is also running in Surrrey-Whalley. According to an Bhandari’s online blog, the main objective of B.C. Vision “is to enhance the lives of all British Columbians.”
Surrey-Whalley is a riding where the percentage of homeowners spending more than 30 per cent of their income on shelter is the sixth-highest in the province.
Surrey-Whalley ranks among the electoral districts where the percentages of self-employed are among the lowest in the province.
Visible minorities account for 45 per cent of the population, with roughly 21 per cent of immigrants coming from India, and another 14 from the Philippines.
Close to 30 per cent of the population in Surrey-Whalley can speak a language other than English. Punjabi is the language at 23 per cent, followed by Hindi (17 per cent), Tagalog (10 per cent) and all Chinese languages (eight per cent).
Surrey-Whalley fast facts:
• 2011 population: 60,615
• 2006 population: 51,405
• Increase: 17.9 %
• Median age: 37.4
• Non-English mother tongue: 47%
• Average income: $54,409
WE ASKED THEM
The Leader asked local candidates in the May 14 provincial election to respond to the following questions:
1. What is your name, age, education and neighbourhood of residence?
2. Why should people vote for you?
3. What are the most significant issues facing your riding and what would you do about them?
4. What are the most significant issues facing B.C. and what would you do about them?
Here are the responses from the candidates for Surrey-Whalley:
BRUCE RALSTON, B.C. NDP
1. Name, education, and residence:
Bruce Ralston was educated at Universities of British Columbia and of Cambridge in England. He ran his own law business in Surrey for many years. He served two terms as a Surrey city councillor and nearly 12 years as a Vancity board director including several years as chair of the board. I have lived in the riding since 1990.
2. Why should people vote for you?
Elected first as an MLA in 2005 and re-elected in 2009 I bring the right mix of experience, knowledge and commitment to make a difference for the citizens of Surrey Whalley.
My children have attended local public schools and participated in a variety of community sports. I believe I know Surrey-Whalley and its citizens well.
3. What are the most significant issues facing your riding and what would you do about them?
Those living in Surrey Whalley have many of the same concerns as others in British Columbia: skills training and jobs, better education for our children, reducing child poverty, and addressing inequality. The NDP platform will address these issues and set a course for change one practical step at a time. I will work to build the Surrey City Centre in my riding and bring public investment to help it grow. Public transit to connect Surrey better to the region is another priority.
4. What are the most significant issues facing B.C. and what would you do about them?
British Columbia needs a change for the better. Adrian Dix and the B.C. NDP will offer that program on practical step at a time. British Columbia’s economy faces the challenges of declining productivity, growing inequalities, and an increasing shortage of those with the right skills to do the job of the future. We will set goals to create new jobs and increase the number of skilled workers.
To achieve a thriving prosperous economy a focus on skills training to help our children and young people get the good jobs of the future is crucial.
KULJEET KAUR, B.C. LIBERALS
1. Name, education, and residence:
Kuljeet Kaur, 56, masters degree, arts, Guildford.
2. Why should people vote for you?
I have been an advocate for women’s empowerment through my radio program for nearly 20 years and have been involved in my community, raising funds for cancer, volunteering for the Fraser Health Authority and assisting new immigrants to become acclimated to their new Canadian life. I feel I can contribute to making British Columbia an even better place to live, work and play.
3. What are the most significant issues facing your riding and what would you do about them?
Surrey-Whalley is changing rapidly with new development. We need to continue to provide family-supporting jobs so that we can get the full benefit of a growing economy and support better social services to people in our community who need them.
With support of the growth of new housing development, we will be able to provide more and better low-income housing for young families and seniors.
4. What are the most significant issues facing B.C. and what would you do about them?
B.C. is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the changing world economy. Our geographic location on the Pacific Rim and our rich multicultural community will allow us to increase cultural ties, tourism and trade between us and the economic power-houses of China, India, Korea and South-East Asia.
Our B.C. Liberal government has adjusted our focus from the single market of the United States for our products and successfully created a buffer against the recent economic downturn.
SUNNY CHOHAN, B.C. CONSERVATIVES
Editor’s note: Sunny Chohan did not return his questionnaire by The Leader’s deadline. The following information was gleaned from the B.C. Conservative party’s website.
Sunny Chohan was born in India and immigrated to Canada in 1971. Chohan studied at the National College in Vancouver where he obtained his high school diploma.
Chohan joined the Grace Community Church in 1984 where he volunteered his time on a part time basis, while working in the furniture manufacturing industry.
Chohan became a successful entrepreneur when he established a local manufacturing plant that specialized in hotel furniture, which was in operation for 30 years.
Later, Chohan joined the Vedic Hindu Cultural Society, where he became vice-president in 1995 and later again in 2001.
Finally, he became president of Vedic Hindu Cultural Society and completed the development and grand opening of a newly constructed temple in 2003.
Chohan currently works in the telecommunications industry as a manager.
Sunny has been happily married for 26 years to Jaspal Chohan. Together they have six children.
JAG BHANDARI, B.C. VISION
1. Name, education, and residence:
Jag Bhandari. Born in Model House in Jallandhar, Punjab, India.
2. Why should people vote for you?
I am the founder of B.C. Vision to bring a positive change in every sphere of the day-to-day life of British Columbians. B.C. Vision is a visionary party that creates an equal platform for all. We believe firmly that there is no “I” in a team. Teamwork creates strength and strength creates success. We need a direction in today’s volatile world. One vision… one world creates a world where there is equality in all spheres of life for all human beings.
3. What are the most significant issues facing your riding and what would you do about them?
Issues: Poverty and inequality; lack of up-to-date transportation means; lack of modern medical facilities; Whalley roads are neglected especially Bridgeview area; no tax credits for low-income families; no focus on the development of skilled labour; lack of communications among three generations (children, parents and grand parents); lack of intercultural and inter-faith activities to promote multiculturalism; worsening violence among youth; big gap between rich and poor; people’s negative approach towards Whalley. Solutions: More funds for Whalley development especially in neglected areas; inter-cultural exchange events; up-to-date medical facilities; up-to-date transportation system; equality for all.
4. What are the most significant issues facing B.C. and what would you do about them?
Deficit budget; too much wastage of resources; domestic and youth violence; traffic; corruption; discrimination; stereotyping; stagnation; lack of education; high unemployment. Solutions: Deficit-free B.C. and sound economy; counselling and seminars to reduce youth and domestic violence; car pooling and local job creations; transparent government; education seminars about different faiths; focus on multiple skill development projects; using technology for all aspects of developments.
B.C. GREENS
The B.C. Green party told The Leader registered candidate Pradeep Kumar has resigned. The party has until April 26 to register a new candidate with Elections B.C.
SURREY-WHALLEY: If you live within these boundaries, this is your riding:
