PV staff
Writer, poet and progressive activist Salman Zafar is running for Surrey City Council in the municipal election on October 17. He is a former federal election campaign, but this is his first time running municipally.
Salman is running to bring a working-class perspective and platform to the people of the community.
“Politically, Surrey City Council currently leans to the right, and has been doing that for a while. It might even be fair to say that it’s a competition to see who can be more right wing on the council.
“Their entire focus is around policing and appeasing land developers. Meeting minutes focus almost completely around these two issues, and there is a complete lack of attention towards working-class issues. There is no progressive or even mildly left leaning voice at City Hall, so working people’s issues remain constantly overlooked.”
Salman says that the biggest issue in Surrey is the crisis of affordability, and that his campaign focuses on that. Policing is a big topic of public discussion as well since Surrey is going through issues involving public safety and extortion.
“My campaign includes focusing on affordable housing, calling for 33,000 new housing units and a rent freeze for 4 years. I am also pushing for free buses in Surrey and for the city’s first publicly owned grocery store.
“My platform includes increasing spaces in the city’s recreational programs, so that everyone can gain access. Right now, it’s first come first serve, which means most people miss out. Surrey’s recreational programs haven’t kept up with population growth.”
“Policing and public safety is certainly an issue that needs to be addressed. But all the other candidates have built that up as the single biggest electoral issue and call for increased spending on police. My campaign argues the opposite – reducing police spending and diverting that money towards public programs. You cannot address public safety issues without addressing the material conditions that make people turn towards crime.
Salman says that the biggest issue involving provincial-municipal relations is taxation.
“Property taxation is the single biggest source of revenue for the city. Most of the collected taxes are passed over to the external taxing authorities, such as the province, whereas the city keeps around 35 percent. Addressing the issue of taxation also involves moving the tax burden off the working class and onto the corporations and very rich.”
Salman says that within Surrey, the labour and social movements are certainly mobilized and connected to different civic campaigns. “My discussions with them have been very encouraging,” he notes.
“My campaign platform is very ambitious, and as a first-time candidate, challenging as well. So far, the discussions that I’ve had with people while leafleting and campaigning on the streets have been extremely positive and encouraging.
“Regardless of how election day eventually turns out, this has so far been an excellent start to building a movement for the future that benefits Surrey’s working-class.
“I am getting incredible support, and I welcome all who want to volunteer or make donations.”
BC readers who would like to get involved with or support Salman’s campaign can contact him through Instagram or by email.
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