SURREY, B.C. — New Westminster & District Labour Council (NWDLC) announced their endorsement of Filipina-Canadian candidate Narima Dela Cruz for municipal Councillor in Surrey, British Columbia, along with 5 of her co-candidates in Imagine Surrey party, for the municipal elections that will be held on October 17.
"I am deeply humbled by the endorsement of my Councillor candidacy for the City of Surrey by the NWDLC," Dela Cruz wrote in her Facebook page, "With gratitude and thanks to the entire Imagine Surrey Team for their guidance and motivation, and to my family, friends, supporters, and my #teamnarima for the inspiration and unwavering support."
Dela Cruz is a long-time resident of Surrey-Guildford and a leading voice in the city for youth, service organizations and underserved communities. She is the founder and leader of SPIDS -- representing the welcoming, vibrant and hard-working Filipino community.
She mobilizes many volunteer and advocacy initiatives across Surrey, and serves on the Kwantlen University Advisory Committee for Asian Studies.
During Dela Cruz's council candidacy, she intends to focus on improved service delivery and standards, lower city fees and making Surrey a safer and less congested city to move around in.
“Surrey is the largest city in NWDLC’s region, and it is time our city had serious leadership that reflects our position in the region and our country as both an economic and jobs driver, and as an amazing place to live, work and play,” said Janet Andrews, Secretary-Treasurer of NWDLC.
The labour council also endorsed Imagine Surrey's Mike Starchuk for Mayor of Surrey - a retired Surrey Firefighter and former Chief Fire Prevention Officer who served as a Table Officer for IAFF Local 1271 - and candidates for Councillors Perminder Chohan, Margaret Mubanda, Kevin Wilkie and Yousef Aldabainah.
“We believe Mike and his team have established the vision, experience and innovative thinking needed to lead Surrey as a world-class city with an improved reputation for livability, sustainability and safety. With Mike, the city we imagine is the city Surrey will become,” Andrews said.
The New Westminster & District Labour Council is a community-based central labour organization representing more than 71,000 union members at the local level. Their goal is to ensure that communities and elected representatives at all levels of government respond to the needs of working people and families.
“NWDLC is a key partner in our vision to build Surrey into a City of Champions, with safe streets, fast commutes and smart investments, supported by lower home costs and city fees, and strong services,” said Mike Starchuk in response to the news. “Building our workforce — including affordable homes near where people work — while respecting the right to collective bargaining and protecting public service jobs, is fundamental to providing strong city services. We are privileged to receive this endorsement from NWDLC delegates, affiliated unions and the executive; it’s the kind of support we will work hard to continue earning every day.”
