Each fall, the Mayor of Surrey hosts a large Charity gala to raise funds for the Surrey Fire Fighter’s Charitable Society (SFFCS), which administers programs “to fulfill needs that are not met in our community, with special focus on Surrey’s children, youth and families.” This event attracts hundreds of business, political and community leaders and members from across the region, social sectors, of all political stripes. In recent years, most of the funds have gone to support the Nutritional Snack Program, providing snacks and meals to 7500 vulnerable students across 130 schools.

This year’s gala however, held Friday October 4, was marred by Mayor Woodward’s controversial remarks about former Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. It is striking that Mayor Woodward took the occasion to make gratuitous personal political attacks and cause serious offence to councillors and many residents of the critically-important neighbouring city in which he was being hosted. This event focuses on solidarity, generosity and service to the less fortunate, and trying to bridge the divides in our society.

These remarks were so out of line that sitting Surrey councillors Doug Elford and Mandeep Nagra released the following statement about the incident:

While this behaviour is consistent with Mayor Woodward’s style of attacking fellow Township councillors, and even voters, when they have differences of opinion, dragging in mayors of other municipalities takes matters to an entirely new level.

Giving voice to his nasty and petty streak and refusing to apologize jeopardizes the cooperation and collaboration that the Township of Langley carries out with the City of Surrey on a daily basis through its elected officials, staff and even citizenry. In dealing with other governments and jurisdictions, the job of a Mayor is to make friends not enemies.

In today’s world of political division, we need to demand from our leaders the qualities that could help bridge those divides, mend the wounds of our society, and allow us to work together for the good of our communities and families. Mayor Woodward has not, on this occasion or during his term of office, demonstrated those leadership qualities but instead the very opposite.