Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hosted by MP Randeep Sarai in Surrey  

 

Justin Trudeau
All photos submitted

RANDEEP Sarai, MP for Surrey Centre, hosted a sold-out fundraiser dinner in Surrey on Monday (July 31) for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada.

Sarai thanked Trudeau for making time to visit Liberal supporters in Surrey. He pointed out: “He is someone that has strong roots here in B.C. – he spent many years working and making the Lower Mainland his home. As leader of our party we are fortunate to have someone who knows the magnificence and beauty of our province, who knows our communities and is focused on addressing the challenges that we all face.”

Randeep Sarai and Justin Trudeau.

Both Trudeau and Sarai claimed that Surrey has received an unprecedented level of federal funding since the Liberals were elected in 2015. Actions taken include providing long overdue infrastructure funding to build Surrey’s LRT, investments in Surrey’s innovation center and clean technology, developing a national housing strategy to tackle affordability, working with the province to address the opioid crisis, renewing trade relationships with Asia Pacific countries to create well-paying jobs for British Columbians, and a $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan and crude oil tanker traffic moratorium to protect B.C.’s coastline.

Trudeau thanked Sarai for his dedication to the riding and the province, stating: “Thank you not just for that kind introduction but for the hard work you do every day on behalf of the people of Surrey, and communities across B.C. For those of you who don’t know, Randeep is also the chair of our Government’s Pacific Caucus. So, he’s not just looking out for the people here in Surrey, he’s also making sure that our entire Government is aware of, and responsive to the things that matter most to British Columbians. And he’s doing a great job. Thank you Randeep.”

Trudeau attended the event following a visit with Premier John Horgan and members of his cabinet to affected areas in the interior of B.C., which have been struck by wildfires for the past month. Trudeau urged all attendees to donate to the Red Cross to support displaced families in the ongoing crisis.

He said: “It’s great to see such a dedicated and strong team south of the Fraser, and at the same time it’s exciting to see new faces too, our new members. Since last summer you’ve helped to register more than 7,500 new Liberals across the province, that’s more than 7,500 British Columbians who like what they see from this new government. It doesn’t mean they agree with every decision we made, and that’s not a bad thing. We need to be challenged and hear from those that think our government can and should do better. That’s how people continue to step up in shaping the future of our great country. It’s proof we are doing it the right way, we are connecting with Canadians, and strengthening the middle class. Just a few months ago I was in Surrey and I could see that the extra money families had in their pocket from the new Canada. Child Benefit was making a real difference. Families who needed the most help were receiving it.

He added: “Canadians are strong, optimistic, value-driven, hardworking and they have defined the success of this country. It won’t continue without effort. Generations of people came here to build a better life for themselves and their children. Yes, we look back to the challenges we’ve overcome, and successes we have seen, but mostly we look forward to our future full of promise. We can’t let anyone exploit our fears and anxieties, we need to recognize each and every one of us has the ability to positively impact our community, and that is what it means to be Canadian … 150 years since Confederation we are committed to building this future by being members of the Liberal Party of Canada.”