Andrew Wilkinson lies to people of Surrey about Budget 2020

BC Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson repeatedly lied to listeners of Red FM this morning when he claimed there is nothing in the provincial budget for residents of Surrey.

In the space of twenty seconds, Andrew Wilkinson lied four times:

“Well, the word Surrey was mentioned once. The budget document is a definitive document that is used by the finance ministry. It’s used by the bankers. It is the statement of the financial spending for the next three years. There is not one single word about Surrey schools, Surrey Skytrain or Surrey Hospital in the budget,” Wilkinson said on the Harjinder Thind Show.

Lie Number 1: Surrey was mentioned only one time in the budget.

Fact: Surrey was mentioned six times. On pages 2, 11, 15, 43, 49 and 50. Surrey is also mentioned five times in the budget speech.

Lie Number 2: There is nothing for Surrey SkyTrain.

Fact: In addition to government’s previous commitment to 40% of the cost of the Mayors’ Vision (which includes Surrey Skytrain extension), Budget 2020 includes expansion of SkyTrain fleet and upgrades to stations facilities in Metro Vancouver. (Page 44)

Lie Number 3: There is nothing for Surrey Schools.

Fact: Budget 2020 invests in nine school construction or seismic upgrade projects including:

  • George Greenway Elementary – seismic upgrade – $11.8M (all provincial)
  • Holly Elementary – seismic upgrade – $9.6M (all provincial)
  • Sullivan Elementary School  –  addition to provide up to 200 new student spaces – $13.5M (includes $1.5M school district contribution)
  • Grandview Heights Secondary School  – new secondary school to provide 1,500 student spaces – $82.8M ($63.2M provincial, $19.6M district contribution)
  • Maddaugh Road Elementary School  – new elementary school to provide 605 student spaces with a neighbourhood learning centre – $31.2M ($23.8M provincial, $7.4M school district contribution)
  • Regent Road Elementary School  – new elementary school to provide 655 student spaces with a neighbourhood learning centre – $26M ($21.7M provincial, $4.3M school district contribution)
  • Edgewood Drive Elementary School  – new elementary school to provide 655 student spaces with a neighbourhood learning centre – $29.2M ($28.2M provincial, $1M school district contribution)
  • Pacific Heights Elementary  –  addition to provide up to 300 more student spaces – $9.4M ($9.3M provincial, $0.1M school district contribution)
  • Mary Jane Shannon Elementary School  – seismic upgrade – $7.3M (all provincial)

Lie Number 4: Surrey hospital is not mentioned.

Fact: The Finance Minister mentions Surrey hospital explicitly in the budget speech. The hospital has been approved by treasury board and is in the government’s capital plan. It is estimated to cost between $1 and $2 billion, with the final costs to be determined when the business plan is completed.

In addition to the investments above, here’s other things the BC NDP government is doing for Surrey:

  • Removed bridge tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears
  • Replacing the Pattullo Bridge
  • Replacing the Massey Tunnel with a toll-free crossing
  • Opened a primary urgent care centre
  • Opened 160 modular supportive housing units to address homelessness on the Whalley Strip
  • Funded over 1200 childcare spaces