Two men, including a British Columbia political party leader, have been charged in connection with the vandalism of a rainbow crosswalk in Surrey. The incident, which occurred earlier this year, has drawn widespread condemnation and is being investigated as a hate-motivated crime.
Details of the Vandalism
Surrey RCMP confirmed that the crosswalk, located near a community centre, was defaced with black paint in the early hours of June 15. Surveillance footage led investigators to identify two suspects. On July 5, police arrested the pair, one of whom is the leader of a registered provincial political party. The party's name has not been disclosed pending court proceedings.
Both men face charges of mischief under $5,000 and mischief motivated by hate. According to police, the estimated cost of cleaning and repainting the crosswalk is $2,800.
Political Reaction and Community Impact
Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke called the vandalism "a direct attack on the values of inclusion and diversity that our city stands for." In a statement, she said, "We will not tolerate hate in any form. These charges send a clear message that such acts have serious consequences."
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups have condemned the vandalism. "This crosswalk is a symbol of safety and acceptance for our community," said James Anderson, spokesperson for Pride Surrey. "To see it defaced is deeply hurtful, but we are encouraged by the swift police response."
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The accused are scheduled to appear in Surrey Provincial Court on August 12. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison for the hate-motivated mischief charge. The Crown is also considering whether to seek a restitution order for the repair costs.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of vandalism targeting LGBTQ+ symbols across Canada. According to Statistics Canada, hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation rose by 12% in 2025 compared to the previous year.
