Vancouver, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is calling on Solicitor General Mike Farnworth and Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke to show transparency with their decision on the future of policing in Surrey. 

“Taxpayers are being left on the sidelines while the politicians go back and forth with non-disclosure agreements and secret votes – that’s unacceptable,” said Carson Binda, British Columbia Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “This is costing taxpayers millions and they deserve transparency and accountability.”

Maintaining two police forces simultaneously in Surrey has cost taxpayers $8 million per month. To pay for both police services, Surrey City Council raised property taxes by 12.5 per cent in its most recent budget. That costs the average Surrey homeowner an extra $286 this year. 

“It’s unacceptable for this process to be going on in the shadows,” said Binda. “Democracy dies in darkness and this whole process has shown an utter lack of accountability or responsible government.”    

 

-30-