Brenda Locke remains silent on allegations of false statements

Surrey, British Columbia –

Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke has remained silent following accusations she made false statements about the future of policing in Surrey.

Last week, at a meeting of Metro Vancouver mayors, a vote was held that Locke said was to choose which police force the region’s mayors would prefer over Surrey.

Locke released a statement online saying a unanimous vote was taken to retain the RCMP.

It has been over a week since Locke made his statement, and the claim has been carefully examined by the mayors present.

Delta Mayor George Harvie moved the motion and was questioned Friday about the accuracy of Locke’s statement.

“First of all, Metro Vancouver does not have the authority – neither the mayors’ committee nor even the directors – to comment on the policing of individual member jurisdictions. The motion was intended to ask the province to make a decision without delay,” Harvie said.

CTV News has been trying to speak to Locke for three days, without success.

CTV News went to city hall on Friday to ask if she would respond to the accusations and was told by staff that the information had been forwarded to them.

The situation exasperates the municipal councilors faced with the lack of transparency of the mayor.

“That doesn’t seem very true,” said Councilwoman Linda Annis.

“She had ample opportunity to say, ‘I made a mistake, I misinterpreted it,’ and to make the correction.”

The Safe Surrey Coalition – which holds a minority of seats on the current council – issued a statement calling for Locke to resign over the apparently inaccurate statement.

“That’s something that Mayor Locke has built on. She has said that if elected, she will run an open and transparent government,” Annis said.

CTV News attended a press conference Locke was scheduled to attend Friday, but those in attendance informed reporters at the last minute that she could not attend.

“If a mayor is unable to attend an event, then the acting mayor leaves, and I am the acting mayor at the moment, and I have not been informed that she will not be attending,” Annis said.

Locke campaigned on a promise to end the transition to a municipal police force and keep the RCMP. She believes keeping the RCMP would be a cost-effective measure for residents.

The British Columbia government has decided on the future of Surrey police, with Solicitor General Mike Farnworth confirming a decision will be made by the end of the month.