Former mayor Doug McCallum terms government extortion response as “empty political drama”

February 2, 2026

RED FM News Desk

Former Surrey mayor Doug McCallum has issued a scathing critique of recent federal and provincial announcements regarding the extortion crisis, labeling them “empty political drama.” McCallum accused current Mayor Brenda Locke of failing to stand up for the city at a time when leadership is most desperately needed.

In a strongly worded statement, McCallum dismissed the federal government’s commitment to deploy approximately 20 additional RCMP officers to combat the issue. He pointed out that these officers are intended for the entire province of British Columbia, rather than being dedicated solely to the city. “This could mean five, ten, or perhaps not even one officer for us,” McCallum stated. “Surrey is ground zero for extortion, yet we are being given crumbs and vague language. This isn’t an emergency response; it’s a joke.”

McCallum further argued that the latest announcements confirm that upper levels of government treat Surrey as a “second-class city.” He specifically highlighted the lack of specialized resources, noting that despite frequent shootings and organized threats, Surrey still lacks its own dedicated police helicopter—a resource available to other major cities. According to McCallum, this failure alone illustrates how little the federal and provincial governments prioritize Surrey’s safety.

The former mayor saved his harshest words for Brenda Locke, criticizing her approach to the crisis. He claimed that instead of providing proactive leadership, the Mayor has resorted to writing letters and waiting for others to take action. McCallum asserted that “real leadership” would involve declaring a state of emergency in the city and demanding permanent, dedicated officers and a police helicopter specifically for Surrey.

As the wave of extortion-related violence continues to rattle local business owners and residents, McCallum’s comments highlight the growing political tension in Surrey over how to best manage public safety and secure provincial and federal support.