Author: Liam Anderson

For over 45 years, Surjit Singh Sanghera has enjoyed a peaceful life on his quiet farm in Surrey. Nestled at the end of a calm road and surrounded by fields, the blueberry grower valued the stillness and safety the land provided his family. Now, peace is under threat. A major road extension is planned to run through part of his property, paving over land he has farmed for decades. Sanghera says the project will not only change the quiet character of the area but also reduce his berry yield. “I’ve lived here for so long,” he said. “Everything is nearby—stores,…

The ongoing Surrey extortion crisis has drawn strong criticism from B.C.’s opposition. On Thursday, July 31, Steve Kooner, MLA for Richmond–Queensborough and opposition critic for the Attorney General, accused the provincial government of ignoring the severity of the issue. Kooner pointed to the July 17 mandate letters for Attorney General Niki Sharma and new Public Safety Minister Nina Krieger. He noted that neither letter mentions the word “extortion,” despite the recent wave of related crimes in Surrey. Kooner said this is not just an oversight, but an insult to the communities affected. “These letters are supposed to reflect government priorities,”…

The number of active extortion investigations in Surrey has nearly tripled since early June, according to Surrey police. Since launching a dedicated counter-extortion team in June, the Surrey Police Service (SPS) has seen cases grow from 10 to 26. SPS Sergeant Tige Pollock said this increase does not show a sudden spike. Some reports cover incidents from earlier months. However, it suggests victims now feel safer reporting crimes to the police. “There was a public forum by community members, the province funded a Crime Stoppers extortion tip line, and Surrey police created a new investigation team,” Pollock said. “These steps…

Police in Surrey are asking for the public’s help in finding a man wanted in connection with a violent stabbing. The incident took place earlier this month near a quiet neighborhood in the city. Officers responded to a report of a stabbing on July 14. The incident happened near the intersection of 109 Avenue and 148 Street. When police arrived, they found the victim had already been taken to the hospital by emergency health crews. The suspect, 43-year-old Dino Sadi, had fled the scene before officers got there. Police launched an investigation to locate the person responsible for the attack.…

It was an action-packed weekend at South Surrey Athletic Park as adult athletes gathered to compete in a growing sport: flag football. The British Columbia Adult Flag Football League (BCAFFL) held its second annual championship tournament with a large turnout of players and fans. More than 40 teams came from all across Canada, the United States, and Mexico to play in what is now the biggest international adult flag football event ever held in Canada. Derek Slavin, vice-president of the BCAFFL, said the participation exceeded expectations, especially for a league that began less than two years ago. “We’re only a…

Surrey residents were among more than 200 people who joined this year’s Indigenous Canoe Journey, a week-long event aimed at building trust and understanding between Indigenous Peoples, youth, police, and public workers. From July 6 to 13, paddlers traveled the waters between Tsawout First Nation and Cowichan Territory on Vancouver Island. This year’s journey, hosted by the WSÁNEĆ Peoples, focused on reconciliation, teamwork, and respect for Indigenous cultures. Mera Dhillon, who was born and raised in Surrey, joined the Law Society of B.C. canoe family. She had never paddled before but quickly felt at home on the water. “Everyone was…