With municipal elections set to take place next year, a recent Leger survey shows a significant difference in how residents of Vancouver and Surrey perceive the direction of their respective cities. While Vancouver residents express widespread dissatisfaction, Surrey residents appear more evenly split and more optimistic overall.
These perceptions emerge against a backdrop of persistent concerns around public safety, housing affordability, cost of living, and municipal taxes, all of which continue to shape local political debates.
Vancouver Residents Say City Is on the Wrong Track
Vancouverites aren’t too happy with how their city’s doing. Almost two-thirds of Vancouver residents (63%) think the city is heading in the wrong direction, compared with just 30% who say it’s on the right track. This sets a backdrop of broader unease about how the city is managing its top issues; housing, affordability, and public safety.
Confidence in the municipal leadership is also running low, with only 29% approving of Mayor Ken Sim’s performance and 32% approving of city council. During his term of office, Vancouverites often said the mayor and council were “out of touch” with residents.
Housing Solutions Gain Support Despite Leadership Concerns
Despite this pessimism, Vancouver residents remain open to housing solutions. Two-thirds (66%) support increasing density along rapid transit corridors, and 53% support building more low-income or supportive housing in their own neighbourhoods.
Surrey Shows Greater Confidence in City Leadership
In Surrey, public opinion appears divided on the city’s current trajectory, but there is broad consensus on the key issues facing the community.
Residents are nearly evenly divided between those who believe the city is on the right track (44%) and those who feel it is on the wrong track (46%).
Also, approval of municipal leadership is notably stronger than in Vancouver, with 43% approving of Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke’s performance and 45% approving of council.
Public Safety and Taxes Top Surrey Residents’ Concerns
In Surrey, the issues most frequently cited as top priorities include:
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- public safety, particularly crime and community safety;
- municipal taxes and cost pressures.
The proposed publicly funded 10,000-seat arena has become a focal point of debate in Surrey, with 48% of people supporting it and 38% opposed. In october, Surrey concil approved a plan for a new entertainment district in the city center. However, not everyone is on board with it. Support is strongest among younger residents, suggesting the arena could become a key election issue, particularly among first-time and younger voters.
High Voter Engagement Ahead of Municipal Elections in Both Cities
Despite differing levels of satisfaction, civic engagement remains strong in both municipalities: 81% of Vancouver residents and 82% of Surrey residents say they would be likely to vote if a municipal election were held today.
Consensus on Growth: Residents Align with Regional Support for Density
Residents in both Vancouver and Surrey support increasing housing density along rapid transit corridors (66% support).
Methodology
This survey was conducted from December 3 to December 10, 2025, among 353 Vancouver residents and 250 Surrey residents, aged 18 or older. Respondents were randomly recruited through LEO’s online panel. Results were weighted by age and gender to ensure a representative sample of the population of each cities’ population.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±5.2% for Vancouver and ±6.2% for Surrey, 19 times out of 20.
