Elections BC approves petition for referendum vote on Surrey policing choice

Elections BC has approved a petition launched bythe widow of a Surrey, B.C., murder victim that could set off abinding referendum over policing in the city.

Darlene Bennett, with the group Surrey Police Vote, launched thecampaign over concerns about rising costs associated with startingup a new municipal police force that will replace the RCMP.

In order for the petition to succeed, setting off the referendum,signatures from at least 10 per cent of the registered voters ineach of British Columbia's 87 electoral districts must be collectedwithin 90 days of the petition's start.

Bennett's husband was shot and killed in front of their Surreyhome in 2018 in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.

She says in a statement posted to the group's website that shebelieves there needs to be more transparency over Surrey's push fora local police force.

Surrey's budget for 2021 shows the transition to a local policeforce is $18.5 million over the original $45-million estimate.