Initiative to conduct a Surrey policing binding referendum

Petition status: Failed – insufficient signatures.

Initiative petition number:	IP-2021-002
Initiative petition title:	Initiative to conduct a Surrey policing binding referendum
Initiative petition summary:	The purpose of the draft Bill is to have the provincial government conduct a regional binding referendum in the City of Surrey on the question of whether the Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP] should be retained as the police service or whether a proposed Surrey Police Service should replace the RCMP. This Bill would require the government to utilize the BC Referendum Act Section 1 (2) c, which allows the Lieutenant Governor in Council “to designate the area of British Columbia within which the referendum will be held.” If held, the referendum would be comprised of a single question regarding whether to retain the RCMP as Surrey’s police service or create a new Surrey Police Service, as proposed. The referendum would be binding under Section 4 of the BC Referendum Act.
Proponent:	Darlene Bennett 1770 West 7th Ave, Suite 305 Vancouver B.C. V6J 4Y6 604-337-2700
Proponent financial agent:	Don Armstrong 1770 West 7th Ave, Suite 305 Vancouver B.C. V6J 4Y6 604-337-2700
Petition issue date:	August 16, 2021
Petition due date:	November 15, 2021
Electoral district thresholds:	Signature thresholds by electoral district (PDF)
Initiative petition expenses limits for proponent:	$1,305,683.49
Opponent registration application deadline:	July 19, 2021
Registered opponents/opponent groups:	None
Opponent financial agents:	None
Registered initiative advertising sponsors:	Registered Initiative Petition Advertising Sponsors (PDF)
Initiative advertising sponsor expenses limit:	$5,000
Financial filing deadline:	December 13, 2021
News releases:	Application approved for initiative petition on Surrey policing Initiative Petition to Conduct a Surrey Policing Referendum Issued by Chief Electoral Officer Initiative Petition to Conduct a Surrey Policing Referendum Unsuccessful
Initiative application:	Application for initiative petition to conduct a Surrey policing binding referendum (PDF)
Draft Bill:	Surrey Policing Binding Referendum 2021 Act (PDF)
Public notice:	Public Notice – Recall and Initiative Act (PDF, English), Public Notice – Recall and Initiative Act (PDF, Punjabi)
Links:	Guide to the Initiative Process Guide to Initiative Communications Initiative Petition Canvasser Guide Media Obligations for Initiative Petitions and Votes Recall and Initiative Act Initiative FAQs
Approved Canvassers:	Initiative Petition Approved Canvasser Listing for IP-2021-002 (PDF)