By ReyFort Media
METRO VANCOUVER — Mayors and councillors in Vancouver, Surrey, Richmond and New Westminster took their oaths of office on November 2, beginning their 2026–2030 terms, while Burnaby prepares for its inaugural council meeting on November 10.
The ceremonies followed the October 17 municipal elections and marked the transition from campaigning to governing communities across the region.
In Vancouver, Mayor Pete Fry and 10 councillors were sworn in at the Orpheum theatre. Provincial Court Judge Reginald Harris administered the oaths, with Fred Lee serving as master of ceremonies. Representatives of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations attended, along with Lieutenant Governor Wendy Cocchia and other dignitaries. Council’s inaugural meeting was scheduled for later that day at City Hall.
In Surrey, Doug McCallum returned to the mayor’s office for his fifth term, taking his oath alongside eight councillors at City Hall.
In his inaugural address, McCallum said council would bring forward motions on its election commitments at its first regular meeting on November 9. Priorities include a four-year property-tax freeze, a women’s and children’s hospital on city-owned land in Newton, and a SkyTrain extension along King George Boulevard to Newton. These remain proposals; the hospital and transit projects would require participation from senior levels of government.
In Richmond, Mayor Rob Howard’s inauguration marked a leadership change after Malcolm Brodie chose not to seek re-election. Howard and eight councillors began their terms at the November 2 inaugural meeting at City Hall.
Howard’s inaugural address outlined plans to pursue a trade and exhibition centre and a separate waterfront arts and culture centre. He also emphasized housing, public safety and cooperation with other levels of government.
In New Westminster, Daniel Fontaine was sworn in alongside six councillors. Fontaine, who is Métis, became the city’s first Indigenous mayor. Council also approved appointments to regional bodies, boards and committees as it began its new term.
In Burnaby, re-elected Mayor Mike Hurley and the incoming council are scheduled to take their oaths at the November 10 inaugural meeting. Hurley, a former firefighter first elected mayor in 2018, was officially declared re-elected on October 21.
For residents, including Filipino Canadians throughout these communities, the new terms provide opportunities to raise neighbourhood concerns, follow council decisions and help shape their cities’ priorities over the next four years.
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