Doug McCallum wins Surrey mayor's race, defeating incumbent Brenda Locke after she concedes
Doug McCallum won the Surrey mayoral election on Saturday 17 October, defeating incumbent Brenda Locke, the Surrey Now-Leader, Daily Hive, CP24 and Global News reported. Locke conceded before polls closed, Global News said. The Now-Leader and CP24 gave McCallum about 42,200 votes (31.8 per cent) and Locke about 30,800, with Mike Starchuk third and Linda Annis fourth. Turnout was 37.35 per cent, with 134,437 ballots cast. The Now-Leader reported McCallum, 82, previously served as mayor from 1996 to 2005 and 2018 to 2022. CTV projected his Safe Surrey Coalition will hold a council majority. He takes office on 2 November.
A fifth-term mayor returning after losing in 2022 reverses a city council built around a different slate, so Surrey's priorities may change. Surrey's policing arrangement and transit plans were major issues in past campaigns.
Surrey residents will see a new council majority on 2 November. Businesses and residents tracking permits or transit projects should watch what the new council schedules first.
Supporters see McCallum's win as voters choosing experience and a united council slate, which the Now-Leader described as a decisive victory.
Critics point to turnout of 37 per cent and a vote split among four candidates, so the winner took less than a third of ballots cast. They also note McCallum's past controversies as mayor, which the Now-Leader recalled in its coverage.
Confirmed: McCallum won, Locke conceded and the vote counts are preliminary. Not confirmed: final official numbers, which differ slightly between outlets. Watch for the final tally and who McCallum names to key council committees.
DailyDrop Canada edition No. 15 · Morning · MON., OCT. 19, 2026