In the 29 years that Linda Hepner has had the privilege to call Surrey her home, she has watched it grow from a commuter town deeply rooted in its agricultural history, to a city which has uniquely been able to stay true to its roots while developing into a thriving, dynamic and diverse city that offers its residents the options required of a truly well-rounded lifestyle.
Linda’s commitment to the City of Surrey stems from her upbringing and nurturing in the community. She has worked in the city for 20 years, and served as the city’s Manager of Economic Development before being elected to the City Council in 2005. She has been a part of Surrey’s transformation from the ground up.
As a Councillor, Linda is guided by the unwavering belief that she wants to continue to live in a well-balanced community that provides jobs for its residents and promotes economic viability, sustainability and livability. She strives to effect positive change and manage the dynamics of this growing city through honest and open dialogue to achieve the goals that she believes all Surrey residents value.
During her time as an elected official, Linda has spearheaded the revitalization drive of Whalley as Past Chair of the city’s Whalley Implementation Team; assisted in the creation of the Surrey Tourism and Convention Association; established a two per cent hotel tax to fund tourism initiatives; and led the acquisition of the ocean view property of Camp Kwomais in South Surrey. She also managed 2010 Legacy Projects, which included Holland Park Expansion and Chuck Bailey Recreation Centre, and earned national and international attention on Surrey’s marketing efforts.
Linda’s key projects focus on economic development and environmental sustainability. She spearheaded the Clean Energy & Technology Action Plan, supported the economic development of Surrey’s City Centre through the organization of the annual Regional Economic Summit, and helped advance the Mayor’s Investment Action Plan. Linda represents Surrey on a regional level through ongoing participation on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, the Regional Planning and Agriculture Committee, and the Utilities Committee; and on a federal level on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.