Fort St. John City Council proudly presented Brian Surerus with the Freedom of the City award during a special ceremony this evening, attended by family, friends, community leaders, and members of Council. The award was presented in recognition of his lifetime of philanthropy, entrepreneurship, and dedication to community development.
Brian Surerus moved to Fort St. John from Ontario at the age of 17 and went on to build one of Canada's leading pipeline construction companies. In 1969, he founded Groundhog Enterprises, later renamed Surerus Construction and Development Ltd., growing the business from a single truck into a major employer and industry leader. Throughout more than five decades in business, he has remained deeply committed to the community he calls home.
While the award is presented to Brian Surerus, the ceremony also recognized the contributions of Connie Surerus and the entire Surerus family. Together, they have demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting organizations, initiatives, and causes that improve the quality of life for residents throughout the region.
“The Freedom of the City is the highest honour Council can bestow, and while tonight we are recognizing Brian Surerus, we are also celebrating the remarkable impact of Connie Surerus and the entire Surerus family. Their contributions have helped shape Fort St. John into the community we know today, and their legacy will continue to make a difference for generations to come. On behalf of Council and our community, I want to thank Brian and the entire Surerus family for everything they have done and congratulate them on this well-deserved recognition,” said Mayor Lilia Hansen.
The Freedom of the City is the highest honour given by the City of Fort St. John. It is used in exceptional cases to recognize the significant contributions the recipient has made to our community. By unanimous vote, Council can award the Freedom of the City to a distinguished person or unit of the armed forces.
Visit www.fortstjohn.ca/local-government/council/freedom-city for more information and a list of past recipients of this prestigious award.