The Province 

There may be those among you who laugh, perhaps even sneer, when the City of Surrey is mentioned.

Well, sneer no more. Surrey has been recognized by the federal government for its leadership in arts and culture.

You read right: Arts and culture.

Surrey was named a 2008 Cultural Capital of Canada by the Department of Heritage, beating out three other Canadian cities with a population of more than 125,000.

Surrey joins the ranks of past winners such as Edmonton, Saskatoon and Toronto.

The annual designations are awarded to municipalities that submit a proposal to celebrate and build a legacy for arts and culture.