A property linked to Surrey city councillor Mandeep Nagra has been issued a stop-work order by the city for lacking proper permits, Postmedia has learned.
Property Ownership and Violations
Coun. Mandeep Nagra is listed in British Columbia corporate records as the sole director of a numbered company, 1368250 B.C. Ltd., which owns an agricultural property located at 3826 152 Street in South Surrey. Nagra is also identified as the authorized signatory for that company on land title documents related to a mortgage on the property.
Provincial records indicate that a lien was registered against the numbered company last year for failure to pay $27,170 under the Speculation and Vacancy Tax Act.
The stop-work order was issued in November and pertains to a failure to obtain proper permits for a structure at the rear of the property and issues with “racking,” the city confirmed. According to the city of Surrey’s website, racking permits are required for the installation or relocation of vertical shelving taller than 2.5 metres.
City and Councillor Responses
Nagra, who was elected to council as a member of the Safe Surrey Coalition, declined repeated interview requests from Postmedia. In an initial email response, the coalition denied any unpermitted construction on the property, stating, “This is a very serious allegation you are making against a sitting elected official. There was no illegal construction at this property. We are not going to respond to a characterization.”
However, after being forwarded confirmation from the city of the unpermitted work, the Safe Surrey Coalition blamed a tenant: “This was a tenant matter, and the issue has been resolved.” The city, however, said the matter is still being dealt with. “The stop-work order is currently active, but we are unable to disclose any further information, as the city’s actions to bring a property into compliance may take several forms, up to and including legal action.”
Neither Nagra nor his political party answered additional questions, including why the speculation and vacancy tax was not paid.
Enforcement Context
The city of Surrey made enforcement against illegal construction a priority years ago and created a dedicated bylaw team in 2022. In more egregious cases, the city has been taking action against property owners by filing notices on land titles as a public disclosure to potential buyers and occupants that construction was done without permits.
Recently, council approved a one-year pilot program in relation to illegal construction, easing up on the crackdown. Mayor Brenda Locke instructed city staff at the end of April to review current building permit, inspection, bylaw compliance, and stop-work order processes to see if there was a way to get more homeowners to voluntarily comply. After approval by council at the end of May, stop-work orders are now only to be issued if the unpermitted construction work poses a risk to someone’s life.
