Office opens for new riding after extended setup
Twenty months after the last provincial contest, Surrey-Serpentine River’s first-ever MLA, Linda Hepner, has officially opened a constituency office, giving residents a permanent point of contact for casework and provincial programs. The grand opening took place on June 25, ending a protracted search for space that met provincial standards for security, accessibility and operations, according to Hepner.
“Having a welcoming space where people can connect, share their concerns, and access support is so important to me,” Hepner told the Cloverdale Reporter.
Hepner said the delay stemmed from the fact the riding is new and did not have an existing office to assume. In most districts, an incoming MLA typically inherits a previously leased space; that option did not exist for Surrey-Serpentine River, which was first contested in the 2024 British Columbia general election.
Why the wait mattered
The absence of a storefront for nearly two years meant in-person drop-ins were not possible. Hepner emphasized that her team continued to provide assistance throughout the period by phone, email and meetings in the community, and invited residents to start booking appointments at the new location now that the doors are open. She framed the office as a way to streamline constituent services and to make it easier for residents to seek help on provincial issues that affect daily life.
The Legislative Assembly’s leasing process, she said, required finding a site that satisfied government criteria. Hepner acknowledged the timeline was longer than hoped, but said it did not diminish the commitment to serving people living in the riding between Cloverdale and Newton.
“While it took longer than we would have liked, it never affected our commitment to serving our constituents.”
A riding built from three Surrey districts
Surrey-Serpentine River was created from portions of Surrey-Cloverdale, Surrey-Panorama and Surrey-Fleetwood. The district, situated between Cloverdale and Newton, blends urban neighbourhoods and agricultural lands, reflecting the patchwork of communities that make up Surrey’s fastest-growing areas. Hepner said the new, dedicated office should improve outreach and response times as the team shifts from pop-up meetings to a fixed base.
- Brand-new district: No existing office to inherit prolonged site selection and leasing.
- Continuity of service: Casework handled remotely until doors opened.
- Next steps: Constituents asked to call or email to arrange meetings.
What residents can expect
With the permanent office in place, constituents now have a central venue to raise concerns about provincial services, seek guidance on government programs and book consultations. Hepner indicated the team’s engagement will deepen with a predictable schedule and a space designed to meet accessibility standards.
Hepner brings decades of local-government experience to the role. She served as Surrey mayor from 2014 to 2018, following nine years on council, and previously worked as the city’s economic development manager. She has lived and worked in Surrey for more than 40 years.
Key timeline
| Event | Detail |
|---|---|
| Riding first contested | 2024 B.C. general election |
| Time elapsed before opening | Approximately 20 months |
| Office opening | June 25 (grand opening) |
Hepner encouraged residents of Surrey-Serpentine River to reach out to her office by phone or email to schedule appointments and access support now that a permanent site is available.
