Request for assistance in search for missing person Jinghua Xu
Surrey Police Service (SPS) and the RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (RCMP SPOSU) are requesting assistance in locating and having a person with potential information on Missing Person Jinghua Xu come forward and contact police.
Jinghua Xu was last seen at approximately 1:50 am on the morning of February 23, 2025, and has not been seen or heard from since. Over the course of the investigation, RCMP SPOSU Missing Persons Team investigators have been able to determine that Jinghua Xu was likely last at Crescent Beach sometime in the early morning hours of February 23.
New information indicates that an unknown South Asian woman had been walking her dog near the Sullivan Point lifeguard station at Crescent Beach when she found two bags with items in it. Investigators believe that the woman opened the bags and may have taken photos of them and their contents, but it is unknown what happened to the bags, as they were not located during police searches later that morning.
RCMP SPOSU Missing Persons Team investigators are appealing for the woman who found the bags to contact police, as it is believed that these bags may have belonged to Jinghua Xu.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Jinghua Xu is asked to contact the Surrey Police Service at 604-599-0502 and quote file number 2025-10027 (SU).
Once again, Surrey has been overlooked in the provincial budget, with no new projects announced for our rapidly growing city. Our residents deserve equitable support from the provincial government to build a brighter future for all who call Surrey home. Yet time and again, we see clear evidence that Surrey is not receiving its fair share of funding and resources for transportation, education, healthcare, and social infrastructure. This continued neglect is both frustrating and unfair—not to mention damaging to our families. We have reached a critical tipping point: it is time for our city to be recognized and prioritized.
In healthcare, the disparity is glaring. While emergency rooms continue to close across British Columbia—most recently in our neighboring community of Delta, adding strain to Surrey Memorial Hospital—our city’s total hospital beds remain drastically below Vancouver’s, despite nearly matching Vancouver in population. The new hospital in Cloverdale, which excludes a maternity or children’s ward, will leave Surrey’s overall capacity at roughly 300% fewer beds than Vancouver has today. Our families deserve better.
Education in Surrey is equally troubling. We have nearly 400 portables—more portables than some districts have students—forcing thousands of our children to learn in cramped temporary spaces. The Surrey School District faces a significant budget shortfall of $16 million this year alone, despite already implementing deep cuts. Adding insult to injury, the budget reannounces just one new high school in Fleetwood, far short of the 10 new schools and 14 site acquisitions outlined in the Surrey School District’s Capital Plan. Our students deserve the same opportunities and learning environments as those in other districts.
Our public transportation challenges are also well documented. Surrey has the most overcrowded bus routes in the region, and only 27% of our residents enjoy frequent transit service compared to 90% in Vancouver. While we appreciate the SkyTrain expansion currently underway, it will not be completed until nearly 2030 and addresses only a fraction of our critical transit needs.
Today also marks Tariff Day, as new U.S. tariffs threaten our economic stability. Let this serve as a reminder that we must carefully direct our spending to protect and strengthen our local economy and to ensure the well-being of all Surrey residents. It is not about spending more; it is about making the right investments. We need to shore up our city’s foundation—one that supports growth, health, and prosperity—for both today and tomorrow.
Surrey is on track to become the first city in British Columbia to reach a population of one million. It is time we receive the respect and resources this milestone demands. The provincial government must start laying the groundwork to support our city’s growth by investing in critical infrastructure, affordable housing, and accessible public services. Rest assured, we will continue to advocate for Surrey’s rightful share, ensuring a vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous future for everyone who calls this remarkable city home.
City of White Rock adjusts residential waste collection time to improve efficiency
White Rock is adjusting its garbage, recycling, and green waste collection time from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m., effective April 1st. This change is to better allocate staff resources, reduce time spent in traffic, bring down carbon emissions, and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.
Residents are asked to place bins at their curb by 7:00 a.m. on their scheduled collection day to ensure pickup.
This change impacts residential property owners only and does not impact buildings that rely on private garbage pickup.
The City appreciates the cooperation of residents in adapting to this adjustment.
For more information on waste collection services, find your designated pickup day, and to sign up for waste collection reminders, please visit whiterockcity.ca/waste .
March 04, 2025
U.S. Tariffs Now In Effect
Lineups for trucks heading for the U.S./Canada truck crossing have been busy for most of the past week. Many companies were trying to get their product into the U.S. before the U.S. invoked tariffs came into effect at midnight last evening.
Here is a screen capture of the lineup last night @ 7:45 looking south from 8th avenue towards the border.
Congratulations to our SURREY EAGLES of the BCHL on making the playoffs.
The Eagles are the current BCHL reigning champs. The Eagles have four home games left before the playoffs start.
Next home game is Monday March 10 7 p.m. @ the South Surrey Arena when the COQUITLAM EXPRESS roll into town with their latest acquisition COLE BIEKSA
COLE is the son of former Canuck and Hockey Night in Canada commentator KEVIN BIEKSA.
March 03, 2025
The Earl Marriott/Semiahmoo First Nations POW WOW returns this weekend to Earl Marriott high school on 16th avenue.
Admission is by donation.
March 01, 2025
White Rock Stock Fraudster
A local man recently found liable for his role in a massive, widespread stock fraud network largely orchestrated from Vancouver intended to continue working in the province’s capital market before being banned from it.
According to a recent ruling from a B.C. Securities Commission hearing panel, White Rock resident Amar Bahadoorsingh opposed an administrative application to ban him from the markets because he wanted to offer tax consulting services to public companies in B.C., and also hoped to become a director or officer.
City of Surrey to Host 2026 Curling Canada Mixed Doubles Championship
The City of Surrey is proud to announce that it has been selected as the host city for the 2026 Curling Canada Mixed Doubles Championship. From Mar. 21-27, 2026, Canada’s top mixed doubles teams will compete for the national title, with the winning team going on to represent Canada at the 2027 World Mixed Doubles Championship.
"We are thrilled to host the 2026 Curling Canada Mixed Doubles Championship in Surrey," said Mayor Brenda Locke. "This is a major event for our city, and we look forward to welcoming athletes from across Canada. With the exceptional talent and skill on display at this tournament, fans will be in for a treat as teams compete for the honour of being National Champions. I would like to thank the members of the Cloverdale Curling Club for the tremendous work they did to bring this prestigious event to Surrey.”
The event will take place at the Cloverdale Curling Club, a state-of-the-art facility that will provide an exceptional experience for both players and fans alike. The 2026 Championship will showcase the dynamic and fast-paced mixed doubles format, which combines skill, strategy, and teamwork. In addition to the thrilling on-ice action, the Championship will feature a variety of activities for spectators, ensuring a memorable experience for all attendees.
“The City of Surrey and the Cloverdale Curling Club worked extremely hard on their bid for the 2026 Canadian Mixed Doubles Championship that Curl BC was proud to support, and we’re very excited to see that work rewarded,” said Scott Braley, Chief Executive Officer of Curl BC. “There is a dedicated and passionate curling community in the Surrey region that I know will support this event, both as volunteers and fans, and it will be a memorable experience for everyone.”
Surrey’s welcoming, accessible, and award-winning facilities make it a premier destination for hosting sporting events. The City’s Sport Tourism Strategy has been developed to advance the City of Surrey as a leader in the Sport Tourism industry, maximizing economic benefits and sport development opportunities.
February 27, 2025
One man arrested involving violent break ins in South Surrey/Stayte Road
UPDATE MARCH 04, 2026
Additional charges against man accused in break-ins and assaults
David William Charles Hoffman, who was arrested and charged with numerous Criminal Code offences following a series of violent break and enters and assaults in South Surrey on February 26, 2025, has been charged with several additional Criminal Code offences relating to those circumstances, as well as a secondary incident that took place at a Fraser Health medical facility following Hoffman’s initial arrest.
On February 26, 2025, David William Charles Hoffman, a 38-year-old male, was charged with:
Two counts of break and enter
One count of assault
Two counts of mischief under $5,000
One count of failing to comply with a release order
On March 3, 2025, David Hoffman was charged with the following additional counts:
A third count of break and enter
Attempt robbery
Escape lawful custody
Assault peace officer
Assault by choking
Attempting to disarm a peace officer
Assault
Hoffman has been remanded into custody and his next scheduled court date is on March 7, 2025, for a bail hearing.
As these matters are now before the courts, SPS is unable to offer any additional comment.
One suspect has been arrested and two people have been treated for minor injuries related to an overnight break and enter and assaults in South Surrey.
On February 26, 2025, at approximately 1:30 am RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) members attended the area of King George Boulevard and 160th Street in response to a call for a male suspect breaking into several homes and assaulting people. SPOSU members arrived on scene, located a suspect and arrested him. BCEHS attended and treated two people on scene for minor injuries.
The matter is still under investigation, but at this time this appears to be a random incident, and the suspect is unknown to the victims. The man is currently in custody and a Report to Crown Counsel will be forwarded for charge assessment.
February 25, 2025
Back in 2015 there was a strong community opposition to thermal coal trains running through White Rock. Part of the protest included lawn signs and an actual half day protest that closed rail traffic along our waterfront. Organizers and their supporters blocked the rail line at the pier for over 4 hours causing trains to remain parked south of Blaine and in Delta until the RCMP moved in and cleared the protesters off the line. A number of the protestors were arrested and later released with no charges being laid.
The city of White Rock got a hefty policing bill.
The topic is back in the news as a result of the United States issuing tariffs on Canadian goods being shipped into the United States. Local resident GARY GUMLEY joins the opposition list which includes THE WHITE ROCK SUN in submitting a request to BC Premier DAVID EBY to put tariffs on the thermal coal product running through our city.
I am submitting the attached document highlighting concerns about the continued export of U.S. thermal coal through British Columbia to Asia without any tariffs or tax being imposed. While Canada and BC have committed to reducing carbon emissions, our ports are facilitating the transport of American coal to international markets with no financial benefit to the province or country. In 2024, Peabody Coal in Wyoming sold $4.125 billion worth of U.S. thermal coal to Asia through BC; a 25% tariff on these exports would generate over $1 billion in revenue for Canadians.
I urge government at all levels to address this matter as a component of the negotiations associated with the US Tariff war.
Sincerely,
Gary Gumley/White Rock
UPDATE FEBRUARY 26, 2025
Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad Monday morning proposed that B.C. charge the carbon tax on 18 million tons of thermal coal from Wyoming and Montana, moving annually through provincial harbours on their way to global destinations.
"That carbon tax would start off relatively small and would scale up over the years," Rustad said. "All of that should then go into a trust, as opposed to government revenue."
I was looking at writing a TNT on the topic of the BNSF shipping dirty U.S. thermal coal through White Rock and South Surrey and how it would make a tempting tariff or carbon tax target should President Trump make good on his plans for March 4th. Then by divine providence I received a media release from White Rock resident Gary Gumley on the very same subject. Considering the writing and research that had gone into it, I contacted Gary and approached him on the idea of running his piece as a guest appearance in The Naked Truth. He agreed and so in a TNT first, here is his media release below edited slightly into my regular TNT format.
Thermal coal shipping through White Rock, Surrey and Delta, BC tariff free.
Last year the White Rock City Orchestra enlisted the service of two local photographers CHRISTY FOX and CORRY KRITICOS to provide images to accompany their original piece of music titled WE LIKE IT HERE.
If we are lucky they may even perform the music at their concert this Saturday
Our Spring Concert is this Saturday
Historically, female performers and composers have mostly been excluded from participating in public music making. In celebration of International Women's Day, the orchestra brings you a concert with repertoire solely by female composers to help start to redress this imbalance.
The evening's offerings will include an Overture by Fanny Hensel (the sister of Felix Mendelssohn), a movement by French 19th century composer Louise Farranc, the Concertino for Flute and Orchestra by Cécile Chaminade, and pieces by Clara Schumann, Florence Price, and Henriette Bosmans.
Perhaps the highlight of the concert will be an arrangement especially made for the Orchestra, of a hauntingly beautiful chant by the first-known published female composer, Hildegard of Bingen.
