With a vision for more progress in Surrey-Serpentine River, Baltej Dhillon has been nominated as the riding’s BC NDP candidate, promising to take on tough challenges and make life better for people.

Baltej Dhillon joined the RCMP in 1990. He made history as the first RCMP officer to be allowed to wear a turban as part of his uniform, paving the way for turban-wearing Sikhs to serve in our national police service as their fullest selves. A resident of Surrey for 35 years, he volunteers as a youth counsellor, is active with many non-profits, and since 2019 has worked with BC’s anti-gang agency: the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia.

“We need a government that will work to keep everyday people safe, through fighting organized crime, ending gang violence, and keeping young people away from crime so they can start their lives on the right track,” said Dhillon. “That’s what we have in the BC NDP. That is where my passion lies. I can’t wait to take action on these issues, building on the BC NDP’s track record on public safety, housing, healthcare, and affordability.”

Since forming government in July 2017, the BC NDP has taken action on crucial issues that matter to the people of Surrey-Serpentine River, including:

• Keeping communities safe by hiring 250 more police officers, giving police more power to address public drug use, cracking down on repeat violent offenders, and taking on organized crime — including seizing Hells Angels clubhouses and many other proceeds of crime;
• Helping people get care when they need it by building and upgrading hospitals in Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Richmond, including a new hospital and cancer care centre in Surrey;
• Putting money back in your pocket by eliminating MSP premiums, lowering ICBC rates by $500 a year and boosting the BC Family Benefit by $445; and
• Getting you around faster with record investments in transportation projects, including expanding SkyTrain and adding lanes to Highway 1.

“Baltej will bring decades of experience, dedication and passion for community safety and the welfare of young people to our caucus. I am so glad he is on the team,” said Premier David Eby. “British Columbians deserve safe and welcoming communities — and they can trust our BC NDP government to take action to keep them and their families secure.”

Baltej Dhillon will join David Eby and 91 other exceptional BC NDP candidates in this fall’s provincial election, all committed to real action to help people build a good life here in BC.