From keeping the RCMP to cutting permit backlogs, here's what to expect from new Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke

Brenda Locke is the new mayor of Surrey, British Columbia.

The leader of the Surrey Connect party focused much of her campaign on undoing perceived missteps by incumbent candidate Doug McCallum, including his decision to sever ties with the RCMP and establish a municipal police force.

Locke secured the win with 973 votes more than her predecessor and four members of Surrey Connect will now have a seat at council including Harry Bains, Gordon Hepner, Rob Stutt and Pardeep Kaur Kooner.

Once a city councillor herself, Locke now takes over the top job with an agenda that promises to keep the Mounties and improve transparency at city hall.

Goodbye, Surrey Police Service

Surrey is currently transitioning from RCMP services to having its own police force, which Locke and Surrey Connect campaigned to kibosh.

According to the party, retaining the RCMP will save Surrey $521 million over the next four years.

"We need to keep the Surrey RCMP right here in Surrey,'' she said Saturday night during her victory speech.

Locke is also committed to using federal subsidies to increase funding for the Mounties, as well as the Surrey Fire Service, bylaw enforcement and mental health and youth programs.

WATCH | Brenda Locke's victory speech:

Brenda Locke is the new mayor of Surrey, B.C., CBC News projects

2 years ago

Duration 9:06

The former city councillor delivers a victory speech to her supporters.

Accountability and transparency

Locke said most of her team ran because of ongoing issues at city hall and has promised to re-establish an ethics commissioner for Surrey following a council vote in April to ban new ethics investigations until after the election.

Surrey Connect campaigned on promises to establish whistleblower protections, introduce conflict of interest rules and adherence practices, and advocate for municipal recall legislation that would give residents the ability to recall elected officials.

The party has also said it will hold budget consultation meetings in different areas of the city to be more inclusive.

Locke has promised to talk regularly with the media and establish benchmarks for public oversight.

What else?

Housing affordability was a top issue across B.C. during this year's election and Locke and team say they will reduce the backlog in construction permit applications to increase housing supply in Metro Vancouver's fastest growing city.

The party has also committed to pressuring TransLink for more bus service and reviewing  the city's emergency preparedness plan to include the impacts of climate change.

Investments in new sports and entertainment facilities were promised as well, but the party has been short on details regarding that commitment.

To read more about Locke and Team Connect, visit the party's website.