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Sauvé said the NPF commissioned a poll of 800 Surrey residents, done by Pollara Strategic Insights, that found 82 per cent support a referendum and 77 per cent support keeping the RCMP “with improvements.”

Also, a petition with 40,000 signatures calling for a referendum was presented to cabinet last week.

“The RCMP was established in Surrey by referendum in 1950, and Surrey residents deserve another referendum to keep the RCMP and say ‘No’ to the mayor’s plan,” Sauvé said.

Both McCallum and B.C. Solicitor-General Mike Farnworth have in the past ruled out a referendum. McCallum declined to comment on the police federation’s call for one.

Farnworth said Wednesday he is guided by the Police Act.

“Surrey has the right to make a change in their policing model,” he said. “They’ve had a vote on their council to give notice they want to terminate and change their policing model from the RCMP to a municipal police force.”

Ken Hardie, MP for Fleetwood-Port Kells, said Wednesday that too much is unknown about costs and whether people would be better served by a municipal force. Once those are on the table, he’d like to see a question on the next election ballot in October 2022.

Coun. Linda Annis has also called for a referendum.

Meanwhile, Coun. Brenda Locke moved on Feb. 10 to suspend the transaction process to a municipal force until First Nations are consulted, but the mayor ruled it out-of-order. Her motion had called for a “sufficient, respectful and transparent consultation process.”

A joint transition committee, headed by former B.C. attorney-general Wally Oppal, analyzed Surrey’s proposed staffing, technology and other matters relating to a new police force. The committee’s report, 400-plus pages, has been handed to the director of police services, Brenda Butterworth-Carr, and will be the basis of Farnsworth’s decision on whether to allow Surrey to proceed with a new municipal force that is “proper and safe.”

Oppal said he had no comment on the call for a referendum.

gordmcintyre@postmedia.com

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