Civic Distinction Awards

Recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions to Surrey’s heritage, culture and art.

Nalini Bhui

Visual Arts

Nalini has been a community visionary and cultural ambassador for over forty years. Currently, Nalini serves as the President of the non-profit, volunteer-run Surrey Art Gallery Association (SAGA). She is a humble, hard-working community leader who brings much joy to the public. 

Amarjeet Singh Vabhana

Performing Arts – Individual

Amarjeet is the founder of Naad Arts Centre (a Centre for Performing & Visual Arts), and an accomplished tabla teacher, performer, and mentor who has accompanied top Indian and Western artists at international festivals. 

Surrey Jazz Nights

Performing Arts – Group 

Harmeet Kaur Virdee founded this music series with a mission to build community through the celebration of artists in Surrey. Surrey Jazz Nights focuses on providing performance and mentorship opportunities to youth and emerging artists while also creating free live music events. 

Surrey Shares

Literary Arts 

Surrey Shares was a 4-year program that worked with participants to help them tell the stories they needed to tell while figuring out the next chapter of their lives. It was part of a larger initiative in Surrey that helped improve the health and welfare of residents, with a focus on those aged 55+. 

Sikh Heritage BC

Heritage Education and Awareness 

This passionate, volunteer-driven organization is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Sikh culture, heritage, and history. Through workshops, scholarships and other initiatives, the society fosters a deeper understanding of Sikh heritage and supports the community's growth and prosperity. 

Rizwaan Abbas

Heritage Preservation 

Rizwaan is a Cultural Historian and a Director of the Indo-Fijian Cultural Society of Canada. His goal is to research, preserve, protect, and perpetuate the Indo-Fijian culture both in Surrey, and throughout the diaspora. He has done this through an exhibit displayed at the Museum of Surrey, contributing a book chapter, and other initiatives.  

Recognizing outstanding contributions towards the enhancement of Surrey’s communities.

Cloverdale Murals Project

Impactful Placemaking Project 

The Cloverdale Murals Project was started in 2021 as a community project by Maria Koehn and features the work of local artists. This project has brightened the streets of Cloverdale and hopefully continues to expand to highlight the diverse cultures in our community

Community Leaders Igniting Change (Kathleen Burke)

Local Capacity Builder

Dr. Kathleen Burke has been facilitating and overseeing the Community Leaders Igniting Change program on the SFU Surrey campus since 2015. To date, 124 community leaders have completed this 12-week, 36-hour program. 

Neela Sugrim

Our City Community Champion – Individual 

Neela has been taking care of her street for more than 10-plus years.  Her neighbours have noted that rain or shine Neela is out taking care of her neighbourhood by picking up garbage and litter.  Neela believes in the importance of contributing and is motivated by setting a good example for her grandchildren. 

Newton Strawberry Hill Green Team (Amarjit Boyal)

Our City Community Champion – Group

The Newton Strawberry Hill Green Team is a volunteer group that keeps their neighborhoods, walkways, and parks clean. The Green Team has volunteers from the Newton-Strawberry Hill neighborhood who enjoy spending time cleaning up their surrounding areas and sending positive messages along the way. 

Recognizing excellence in city building through architecture, landscape architecture, urban design and public art.

King George Hub - PCI Developments, Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership, van der Zalm + Associates

Award of Merit - Residential (Large-Scale)

King George Hub is a transit-oriented, mixed-used community located in downtown Surrey, directly adjacent to King George Station. The project is a catalyst for positive change in Surrey’s City Centre, which is exemplified in the varied programming, vibrant pedestrian-oriented high street, and dynamic public art throughout the site. The integration of landscape, public art and amenities have combined to create an immediate sense of place in the growing City Centre.

City Centre 3 - Lark Group, WA Architects Limited, van der Zalm + Associates

Award of Merit - Commercial & Industrial

This 10-storey commercial office building in the heart of Surrey’s Health & Technology District firmly establishes an important employment node in the City Centre. Utilizing high-quality materials and finishing in a playful architectural aesthetic and massing, combined with a sensitivity to the environment, the building is becoming an appreciated gathering place. The subtly incorporated storm water management system into the vibrant public plaza space is one of the site's exemplary elements. The LEED Gold Certification rounds out the program. 

Totest Aleng

Award of Excellence - Landscape, Public Space and Infrastructure

Totest Aleng is a place to share through art, carvings, and storytelling connections to the Semiahmoo First Nation and the contemporary settlers. Totest Aleng is nestled in the sublime setting of the Nicomekl River and its extensive trail system and is a perfect stopping place for quiet contemplation or community gathering and learning. This artful enclosure begins structured and organized as it rests above the existing shed building, and then begins to open, responding to the landscape, views, and zones of activity around the site. Different textures of wood make up the varied enclosure of the building to create a dynamic place setting for sharing history, art, knowledge, and culture. 

Judy Chartrand

Public Art

Judy’s public artwork titled Rainbow Crow Brings Fire to the People for the developments Holland 1& 2 relates an Indigenous story about how the Crow's feathers turned black, while also promoting strength, endurance and sacrifice, much like the history of Old Yale Road and the people of the Sto: lo Nation. The work also showcases floral designs that are used in Cree beadwork. 

Recognizing people that take action in initiatives that protect and enhance Surrey’s natural environment.

Deb Jack

Environment - Individual

Deb’s focus in urban biodiversity conservation is to provide us with quality of life, health, and well-being. Deb has always loved trees and the amazing services they provide for us. As President of Surrey Environmental Partners, she helps to educate and advocate for the conservation of natural areas to benefit us all, now and into the future, as we face challenges related to climate change and biodiversity loss.

David Hancock

Environment - Group

David has been involved with birds of prey, particularly Bald Eagles, for many years. Through the inception of the Hancock Wildlife Foundation over 20 years ago, David has dedicated his life to Bald Eagles, and to wildlife conservation and education efforts. His efforts at bringing streaming wildlife videos onto the web has led to a greater understanding of the largest breeding and wintering populations of Bald Eagles.

Recognizing outstanding contributions of individuals and groups to promoting social equity, supporting priority populations, and building inclusion and sense of belonging.

Samantha Jack

Individual

Samantha is an Indigenous youth leader from Surrey, where she has dedicated over seven years to supporting urban Indigenous youth and communities. She advocates for reconciliation, decolonization, and cultural safety, drawing on her own experiences growing up away from her home communities and culture. In 2023, Samantha was elected National Youth Executive for the National Indigenous Youth Council, continuing her work to create equitable, trauma-informed spaces for future generations. 

Muslim Food Bank (Azim Dahya)

Group

Azim is the volunteer CEO of Muslim Food Bank & Community Services Society and has dedicated over a decade to providing holistic support to vulnerable individuals and families in the community. His commitment to fostering self-reliance and community well-being has significantly impacted the lives of thousands, both locally and globally.

Guru Nanak Food Bank

Outstanding Achievement

Guru Nanak Food Bank is a community-driven organization committed to combatting food insecurity and providing essential services across BC. The food bank stands as a proud example of a community working for its own, by the community, for the community.

Amos Kambere

Lifetime Achievement

Amos is a former Ugandan Member of Parliament and founder of UMOJA Operation Compassion Society, a newcomer settlement charity based in Guildford.  As a Umoja founder, Amos’ mission has been to support initiatives to improve the quality of life not only in our Surrey community but also in the developing world. The charity has evoked this spirit toward successfully mainstreaming over 4500 newcomers of diverse cultural origins.

Martin Rooney

Lifetime Achievement

Having founded Surrey Pride in 1999 and serving as its President over many years, Martin’s focus has been on uniting the community and ensuring the acceptance of the 2SLGBTQ+ (Rainbow) Community. Martin has spent most of his adult life working with and representing marginalized communities in BC, especially Surrey. Martin has volunteered his time to be the voice for the rainbow community in Surrey and has worked with key leaders and organizations to help them portray what the future of Surrey could look like through the rainbow lens. His goal remains clear to continue to make Surrey a safe and inclusive place.

Recognizing those who bring people together and increase the wellbeing and resiliency of the community through diversity and inclusion initiatives.

Dacious Richardson

Individual

Dacious is a community leader involved in various organizations and initiatives that combat systemic racism. Dacious is a passionate advocate for the Black community, refugees, immigrants, newcomers, and high-risk youth, focusing on addressing racial discrimination and cultural barriers.

Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre (Kyla Painter)

Community group or non-profit

The Fraser Region Aboriginal Friendship Centre Association serves as a transformative presence in Surrey, supporting over 19,000 Indigenous community members annually with a wide range of culturally rooted services. FRAFCA has become a trusted hub for community-building, empowerment, and resilience. Led by Executive Director Kyla Painter, FRAFCA champions reconciliation, healing, and a vision of an inclusive, thriving future for all.

Beta Collective Coworking Space (Jason Wong)

Business or Institution

Beta Collective was first established to address the growing need for affordable, flexible workspaces in the community. As a committed supporter of Surrey's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, Beta Collective actively contributes to the city's social landscape through various initiatives and events. Beta Collective embodies the spirit of unity and collaboration, enriching Surrey's vibrant community fabric.

Recognizing the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations through the hosting of a sport tourism event in Surrey.

Surrey FC - Mayor’s Cup

Regional / Provincial Event

The Surrey Football Club is a community-driven soccer club dedicated to fostering talent and promoting the sport at all levels. Their commitment to youth development, inclusive programming, and hosting major events like the Mayor’s Cup has earned them recognition for their impact on the local soccer community.

Wickenheiser Female World Hockey Festival – Wickfest Surrey

National / International Event

Hayley Wickenheiser created WickFest on the heels of the National Women’s team’s success at the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. WickFest provides growth opportunities with a variety of clinics and workshops to foster personal growth and skill development, ensuring that young athletes are equipped to excel both in sports and in life.

Canada Cup International Softball Championship

National / International Event

The Canadian Amateur Sport Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting softball for all ages and abilities, operating Softball City, one of North America’s premier softball complexes. Each year, CASS welcomes a range of fastpitch and slo-pitch events, from provincial to national championships, including women, men, seniors, and mixed teams.