Mayor blames province for imposing housing regulations which will increase students in Surrey schools
In a unanimous vote this week, the Surrey City Council turned back the Surrey School District’s 10-year Capital Plan Eligible School Sites Proposal.
According to city, the rejection was based on concerns that the plan did not account for the new provincial legislation of Bills 44, 46 and 47. Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke said, “The school district’s plan was prepared in early fall, well ahead of the new provincial housing regulations, which is why Council has asked them to go back and reassess their plan.
She said the ramifications of the new housing regulations will likely result in a significant increase in the number of students in Surrey. Council, unanimously, disagrees with the School Board’s projection of students in its 10-year Capital Plan.
To date, it is fair to say that with the roughly 400 portables at Surrey schools, the student projections have been consistently underestimated. To suggest Council’s action is anything other than advocating for the bests interests of students is grossly inaccurate and offensive.
Surrey is doing our part in building new housing, but the province has to ensure there is adequate infrastructure to accommodate the growth. Whether it is new healthcare facilities, transit or schools, critical services have to be in place if we are going to build all the new housing that the province wants us to.
“While it is unprecedented for Council to ask the Surrey School Board to reassess their plan, it is also unprecedented for the province to impose new housing regulations on municipalities without any consideration of local planning or zoning. The province needs to understand building new homes in isolation may solve one problem, but it creates a whole new host of others,” she added.
Surrey School District acknowledging the rejection of the City said, “This proposal is shared with the City of Surrey on an annual basis. The methodology behind its calculation undergoes a rigorous review and approval process before it reaches Council, including scrutiny and approval by our Board. The template used for this purpose is developed by the Ministry of Education and Child Care, aligning with the requirements outlined in the Local Government Act (Sections 571-581).”
In accordance with legislation, the rejection of the proposal triggers a notification to the Minister of Education and Child Care who will appoint a facilitator to assist in resolving differences between the local government and the school board.
“Our district is committed to working collaboratively with the City of Surrey to navigate these challenges and uphold our shared commitment to providing quality education while adapting to the evolving needs of our growing community,” said Laurie Larsen. Chair of the Surrey Board of Education.
