Frankly Speaking

Surrey may be part of a larger gang war which seems to be underway in B.C., but in general, violent crime is down significantly. Two young men were killed Friday night in Fraser Heights, in what could be some sort of retaliatory move. Apparently, the shootings are not gang-related. Media reports state that neither had criminal records, and no ties to gangs are apparent. However, there have been several other recent killings and shootings in various parts of the Lower Mainland which clearly have gang ties. These shootings have taken place in Langley and Burnaby, and they have brought back memories of the Lower Mainland gang warfare which took place in 2009. At that time, many of the shootings took place in Surrey and some people were alarmed about going out to do routine activities such as shopping, dining and recreation. Recent crime statistics released by Surrey RCMP show that violent crime is down by 13 per cent in the first nine months of 2016, when compared to the same...

Kinder Morgan photo Twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline will have a profound effect on Surrey, the National Energy Board was told last week. The City of Surrey stated its position on the proposal to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline at National Energy Board hearings last week. It is not in favour or opposed to the pipeline proposal – it simply doesn’t want the project to cost local taxpayers more money. In addition, the city has concerns about portions of the proposed new route. It also would like to see the new pipeline route accommodate both the twinned pipeline and the original line, thus taking the line built in 1953 through portions of north Surrey out of commission. Surrey’s position in many ways dovetails with the general attitude of many B.C. residents, and the provincial government. The enthusiasm for the pipeline project is lukewarm at best, and specific benefits are demanded in return for support. At the same time, many other B.C. residents, including mem...