Happy Friday, Surrey!
First off, thank you to everyone who filled out last edition’s survey regarding a Surrey Dinner Club. The feedback was genuinely amazing, and we loved reading your thoughts and ideas.
That said, we didn’t quite get enough interest this time to confidently move forward with planning the event. Rather than forcing it, we’re going to hit pause and revisit the idea later in the spring when more people might be ready to jump in.
If it’s something you’d like to see happen down the road, one big way to help is by inviting friends, neighbours, or coworkers to subscribe to the newsletter. The more voices we have, the easier it is to turn ideas like this into real, in-person community moments.
We’ll run another poll later this spring — and we’ll keep listening.
Now, In today’s edition:
Resident Calls for Faster Gun Licences Amid Extortion Fears
B.C. Regulator Finds Men Liable in Stock Fraud Case
Hundreds of New Rental Homes Approved
Surrey Schools Ask for Public Input on 2026/27 Budget
Tribute Shows Fill the Stage at Surrey’s Bell Theatre This Winter
Sing Along to Canadian Hits at Surrey Arts Centre
Many events Happening Around the City This Weekend (Comedy, Performances & Family Fun!)
- Mark
News
Surrey Resident Calls for Faster Gun Licences Amid Extortion Fears
Vikram Bajwa poses for a photo at a gun range. Bajwa is asking Premier David Eby to introduce an emergency bill to expedite the issuance of 500 gun licences for himself and other Surrey residents.
A Surrey resident is asking the province to speed up gun licences for people who say they are scared because of ongoing extortion threats and violence. He says many residents and business owners feel unsafe and believe current efforts are not enough to protect them and their families.
Police and government officials strongly disagree with this idea. They say arming residents is dangerous and could make things worse. Officials stress that gun licences are handled by the federal government and warn that using firearms for self-defence could lead to serious legal trouble.
Experts say the bigger risk is people losing trust in police. They warn that if residents start taking the law into their own hands, it could lead to more violence. Police are urging anyone facing threats to contact authorities and let law enforcement handle the situation.
🔑 Key Details:
A Surrey resident is asking for faster gun licences due to extortion fears
Provincial and police officials say vigilantism is not a solution
Police urge residents to report threats and rely on law enforcement
B.C. Regulator Finds Surrey, Langley Men Liable in Stock Fraud Case
The B.C. Securities Commission has ruled against several people involved with Core Capital Partners over a scheme to artificially inflate the value of two companies.
B.C.’s securities watchdog has ruled that four men — including brothers from Surrey and Langley — broke securities laws by helping run stock fraud schemes. The ruling says the group used false and misleading promotions to drive up stock prices, then sold their shares for profit.
The case involved two B.C. companies and took place in 2017 and 2018. Regulators found that investors were misled about business deals and company value, which caused stock prices to rise artificially before crashing. Some people involved made millions of dollars selling shares while prices were high.
The case is a reminder to be cautious with high-hype investments. The regulator says penalties have not yet been decided and will be handled in a future hearing.
🔑 Key Details:
Four men, including a Surrey resident, were found liable for stock fraud
The schemes involved misleading promotions to inflate share prices
Financial penalties will be decided in a later phase
City Updates
Hundreds of New Rental Homes Approved for Clayton Heights
Nearly 350 rental units may be coming to Clayton. Council approved bylaw amendments for a possible rental complex at its meeting Jan. 12. The bylaw amendments affect a parcel of land just east of the Clayton Community Centre. (Image via Google Maps)
Surrey city council has approved a plan to build hundreds of new rental homes in Clayton Heights. The project would add three six-storey buildings on land near the Clayton Community Centre, where there is currently open green space.
The development includes mostly rental housing, along with some ground-level commercial space. City staff say the change helps add more rental homes to a growing neighbourhood that needs more housing options.
🔑 Key Details:
Three six-storey buildings approved in Clayton Heights
Project includes 342 rental homes and some commercial space
Site is near 188 Street and 72 Avenue, next to the Clayton Community Centre
Surrey Schools Ask for Public Input on 2026/27 Budget
Students, families and staff will have a chance to give input on Surrey Schools’ 2026/27 budget this spring.
Surrey Schools are asking students, families, and staff to share their thoughts on the school district’s 2026/27 budget over the next two months. The school board says public feedback will help guide how money is spent and what priorities matter most to the community.
The district plans to hold information sessions and release an online survey later this winter. These steps are meant to explain how the budget works and gather ideas before final decisions are made. Board members say their top goal is supporting student learning, while also managing costs responsibly.
This is a chance to have a say in classroom supports, school services, and long-term planning before the budget is finalized this spring.
🔑 Key Details:
Budget surveys are expected to launch in February or March
Public feedback is accepted until the April 8 board meeting
The final 2026/27 budget is set to be approved in May
Community Digest
Tribute Shows Fill the Stage at Surrey’s Bell Theatre This Winter
Spice Wannabe tribute show on stage. (Promo video screenshot)
Surrey residents can catch several tribute concerts this winter at the Bell Performing Arts Centre. Canadian company Paquette Productions is bringing popular music tribute shows to Surrey, celebrating famous artists from the 1950s through the 1990s.
The lineup kicks off with Spice Wannabe on Feb. 3, a tribute to the Spice Girls, followed by shows honoring Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, and the Bee Gees in the months ahead. Organizers say these shows are designed to be fun, high-energy, and family-friendly.
🔑 Key Details:
Multiple tribute concerts are coming to the Bell Performing Arts Centre this winter
Spice Wannabe (Spice Girls tribute) plays Feb. 3
Other shows run through April, featuring classic pop and rock music
More info: Tickets and show details at bellperformingartscentre.com
Sing Along to Canadian Hits at Surrey Arts Centre
The Piano Heist duo (longtime pals Patrick Courtin, left, and Nico Rhodes) perform two concerts at Surrey Arts Centre on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026.
Surrey residents are invited to sing their hearts out at a new interactive show coming to the Surrey Arts Centre. The Great Canadian Sing-A-Long launches with two shows on Saturday, Jan. 31, led by musical duo Piano Heist.
The concerts invite the audience to become the choir, singing along to popular Canadian songs from many generations. The afternoon show is family-friendly, while the evening show features classic Canadian rock hits. No singing experience is needed — just show up ready to have fun.
It’s a chance to enjoy live music, celebrate Canadian artists, and take part in a unique, feel-good night out during the winter.
🔑 Key Details:
Two sing-along concerts on Saturday, Jan. 31
Afternoon show for all ages, evening show with classic rock
Tickets are $49
More info: Tickets available at purchase.surrey.ca
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Just use the share button below to send the link to anyone who’d enjoy keeping up with what’s happening in our city.
Exciting Events: January 23rd -26th
Events marked with ($) require a ticket in advance. Please search them up before going.
Sports🏒
WickFest 2026 | Jan. 23-25 (FREE)
Location: Various Locations
Description: WickFest returns to Surrey from January 23–25, 2026, bringing together girls’ hockey teams from across Canada and the United States for one of North America’s premier female youth hockey festivals across multiple Surrey venues!
Community Fun🎆
Outdoor Skating at Civic Plaza | Dec. 1-Feb. 16 (FREE)
Location: Surrey Civic Plaza
Description: This winter, enjoy ice skating at a new covered outdoor rink and other fun and festive activations with family and friends at Surrey Civic Plaza from December 1, 2025 to February 16, 2026.
Northwood Social Night - Bingo for fun | 6:30M-9:30PM Jan. 23 (FREE)
Location: Northwood United Church
Description: It will be a fun night with the thrill of victory possibly being your prize. Donations for NUC Food Pantry . Bring your own bingo dabber.
Bird Walks | 8:30AM-12PM Jan. 24 (FREE)
Location: Blackie Spit Park
Description: Discover migrating and resident birds and the diverse habitats that support them.
2026 Goal Setting Workshop | 12PM-3PM Jan. 24 ($)
Location: Semiahmoo Arts Society
Description: In this Goal Setting Workshop, You’re invited to slow down, get clear and intentionally design the year ahead using a process that honours both your vision and your creativity.
TEDxSurrey Presents A Shift in Thinking | 10:30AM-3:30PM Jan. 24 ($)
Location: Bell Performing Arts Centre
Description: Step into the future of ideas at TEDxSurrey 2026! This isn’t just another event—it’s a full-sensory experience designed to spark your imagination, challenge your thinking, and leave you inspired.
Preschool Open Houses | Jan. 24 (FREE)
Location: Various Locations
Description: See what City of Surrey's preschools look like and get more information about your child's care!
Coffee Social With BC Seniors Advocate | Jan. 26 (FREE)
Location: Various Locations
Description: You're invited to drop in and join us for a coffee social and meet the BC Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt.
Sale Like a Celebrity | Jan. 26 (FREE)
Location: Museum of Surrey
Description: You will learn everything you need to know about what's new and exciting with Celebrity, like their newest itineraries and their latest revolutionary ship, the Celebrity XCEL released November 2025. Discover a taste of modern luxury that offers outstanding service, stunning designs, culinary excellence, and luxurious accommodations.
Vancouver Halal Bazaar | 10:30AM-8PM Jan. 24 & 25 ($)
Location: Cloverdale Agriplex
Description: a 2-day, family-friendly community event bringing together halal vendors, inspiring talks, kids activities, and community organizations — all under one roof.
Performances🎭
Burning Mom | Jan. 14-Jan. 24 ($)
Location: Main Stage at Surrey Arts Centre
Description: In this inspiring comedy, Dorothy realizes that life is too short to delay your aspirations. After losing her husband, she decides to take their RV on the road trip of his retirement dreams: she’s going to Burning Man. After all, it’s only a 21-hour drive to a weeklong culture festival and party with no plumbing in the middle of a desert—how hard can it be?
BINGO - Daniel MacIvor | Jan. 22-Jan. 25 ($)
Location: Peninsula Productions
Description: A hilarious, and fast-paced staged reading, as old friends gather thirty years after graduation from high school. The gents get together in a hotel where they are celebrating a class reunion. The five get together in a hotel room, where through memories and excessive drinking, we get more nostalgic in memories and revelations.
VSO - Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff | 3:30PM Jan. 25 ($)
Location: Bell Performing Arts Centre
Description: Conductor Nicolas Ellis returns to the VSO to lead Rachmaninoff’s beloved Variations on a Theme of Paganini, poignantly interpreted by pianist Joyce Yang, known for her “vivid and beautiful playing” (The New York Times).
Comedy❗
Katie-Ellen Humphries | Jan. 23 & 24 ($)
Location: Yuk Yuks Comedy Club
Description: With a sensibility that falls somewhere between the library and the locker-room, Katie-Ellen has become a favourite of audiences across Canada and the U.S., including regular appearances on CBC Radio’s The Debaters where she has also worked as a writer and Associate Producer.
Live Music, Dancing & Pub Events
Friday, January 23
Saturday, January 24
Sunday, January 25
How did you enjoys today's edition?
Thanks for reading The Surrey Digest! Let’s chat again on Tuesday!
