Posted by ReyFort Media
Set the cauliflower
For Noemi Victorino, public service begins with listening and follows through with action. From a 25 year career in the Canadian federal public service to leading a nonprofit that helps people facing food insecurity, she has built her work around responding to the needs of others. Now, as a Surrey Connect council candidate, she hopes to bring that experience to City Hall.
Originally from Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines, Victorino immigrated to Canada in 1989. She brought with her the values of hard work, family and service that continue to guide her. The daughter of Rudy and Mary Victorino, she is the eldest of five children and a proud mother to two sons, Jacob and Joseph.
Her federal career included work with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), covering enforcement, administration, facilities and project management, and trade compliance. She rose to become a Senior Officer of Trade Compliance, conducting compliance verifications across Canada and the United States.
The position called for careful judgment, attention to detail and the ability to interpret complex regulations. Assessing information, managing competing priorities and maintaining professional standards were central to her responsibilities. Victorino believes those skills can help inform municipal decisions involving public spending, infrastructure, development and essential services.
Her commitment to service continued through Harvest for Hope, where she serves as founder and Executive Director. According to her profile, the nonprofit works with eight partner organizations across Surrey, Burnaby, Port Coquitlam and New Westminster, providing food equivalent to approximately 2,500 meals each week.
Its assistance reaches seniors, veterans, newcomers, victims of domestic abuse, Filipino seniors and families struggling to afford basic necessities. For Victorino, this work also means protecting dignity and ensuring that people facing hardship have access to support. Partnerships are central to connecting available food with the residents who need it.
Leading the nonprofit has given her practical experience working with limited resources, coordinating with community organizations and responding to urgent needs. She also serves on the City of Surrey’s Social Equity, Livability, and Public Safety Committee, adding another avenue for her involvement in local issues.
Running with Surrey Connect on the team led by Mayor Brenda Locke, Victorino supports a residents first approach to municipal leadership. Her priorities include integrity, transparency, accountability and responsible financial management, alongside safer neighbourhoods, thoughtful planning, efficient services and economic growth.
She also supports investment in parks, recreation and active transportation. As Surrey grows, she believes that development should improve daily life for families, create opportunities for businesses and provide safe spaces for children. Connections for seniors and accessible neighbourhoods are also part of her vision for a more livable city.
Victorino describes her approach as servant leadership: showing up, listening and acting. She wants residents to feel heard and represented, with elected officials who remain accessible and accountable. For her, seeking a seat on council is a continuation of her public service and community work, bringing government experience and an understanding of everyday needs to Surrey’s future.
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