I have been writing my weekly The Naked Truth in the White Rock Sun for over 15 years and during that time I have often penned about how ridiculous the entire notion of time change was. Once you delve into the history, reasons and rationale behind it, plus discover what portions of the world do not use the twice yearly time change, you realize how idiotic and stupid the entire practice really is. After writing three or four columns on the topic, I finally threw my hands up in disgust and decided that I would not waste my time (pun intended of course) writing another TNT on the topic. The reason for this was that I was getting so worked up about it I figured I'd have an aneurysm, stroke or heart attack if I kept beating this dead horse. With my luck it would have been all three at once to ensure I was put out of my misery.
Those earlier TNTs are buried in the WR Sun archives predating the TNT Year In Review that is a quick reference guide letting you easily find various topics. Rather than rehashing all of the information I previously dug up, let's look at the recent history of time change in BC without me having to call 911 for medical assistance. All of this will lead up to the announcement Premier David Eby and Attorney General Niki Sharma made on Monday, March 2 that the Province of BC would "spring forward" to daylight savings time year-round. This of course happened on Sunday morning with the clocks being moved an hour ahead where they will stay for the rest of spring, summer and hopefully all eternity. With this change comes a timely new nomenclature; our time will now be known as "Pacific Time." Here is the chronological list of recent historical events that finally brought us to this point in time.
Nov. 2018 - During its State election, California runs ballot Proposition 7 for doing away with time change. It passes but does not become law.
May 2019 - Washington State governor Jay Inslee signs a bill for permanent daylight savings time if Washington D.C. votes to allow for it.
June 2019 - Bowing to public pressure, the BC NDP government under Premier John Horgan holds a survey on getting rid of time change.
Sept. 2019 - 223,000 BCers vote 93% for permanent daylight time, with a switch to permanent standard time not being a survey option.
Oct. 2019 - BC introduces legislation to adopt permanent daylight time once Washington, Oregon and California states adopt it.
Mar. 2020 - During Covid, Yukon votes to end time change with 93% support, instituting daylight savings time known as "Yukon time."
Mar. 2022 - The U.S. Senate passes the Sunshine Protection Act to enshrine permanent daylight savings time but it dies in committee.
Mar. 2023 - BC Premier David Eby announces BC will align with its "major trading partners" in the US in regards to time change.
Feb. 2024 - U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for ending the twice a year time change shortly after re-election.
Jan. 2025 - Florida Senator Rick Scott reintroduces the Sunshine Protection Act in the US Senate, referred to committee.
Mar. 2025 - BC Premier David Eby expresses interest in BC changing its time zone without any US States approval.
Mar. 2025 - BC Conservative party introduces Bill to end time change that does not receive Legislature support.
Mar. 2, 2026 - Premier Eby and AG Niki Sharma announce that BC will stop the twice yearly time change.
Mar. 5, 2025 - Florida Senator Rick Scott revives Sunshine Protection Act to end time change in US.
Mar. 8, 2026 - British Columbia's last time change to the new Pacific Daylight Time.
As I previously stated, our leaders need to follow the will of the people and make laws for the residents of B.C. The time change battle should have been over in this province back in 2019 when people made it clear they wanted to end the time change. Six months later, the Yukon Legislature did exactly that and ended time change in their territory. Unfortunately it took a further six years for B.C. to finally dump this relic of a forgotten time as they waited for Cascadia and Washington D.C. to lead the way. B.C. has instantly galvanized interest across North America with Alberta, Ontario and many States in America now waking up to the idea of not having to change clocks twice a year. All it took was for the Premier of this province to be the one who pushed over the first domino and we now get to watch to see how quickly other jurisdictions will follow. I can assure you nobody is happier about this than myself as I was wondering if I would live long enough for this to ever happen. Instead of continuing to "spring forward" and "fall back", we finally get to "set it and forget it."
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
Local News
March 09, 2026
White Rock Council Today's Agenda
All meetings of council are currently held in the White Rock Community Centre in Uptown White Rock/Russell Avenue
3:00 p.m. - IN CAMERA Closed to the public
Regular Council Meeting 4:00 p.m. +The full agenda (click here)
Gallery Room, White Rock Community Centre Council Chambers
15154 Russell Ave, White Rock
*Live Streaming/Telecast: Please note that all Committees, Task Forces, Council Meetings, and Public Hearings held in the Council Chamber are being recorded and broadcasted as well
Thank You Earl Marriott
Earl Marriott seconday hosted its annual three day POW WOW this past weekend.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of this golden opportunity for our communities to come together in a constructive open cultural event.
Mark your calendars for next March to experience a once in a lifetime event. World Class.
Extreme Weather Alert has been issued in Surrey-White Rock
Based on current forecasts, it is expected that this Alert will remain in effect tonightMonday (March 9), and Tuesday (March 10) nights.
White Rock RCMP are requesting the public’s help in identifying a male involved in an assault. On April 11th, 2025 at approximately 4:15 p.m. at North Bluff Road and Johnston Street an unknown male exited his grey coloured SUV and assaulted two elderly pedestrians who were in a marked cross walk. The assault was serious enough to send one of the victims to the hospital with lacerations on their head. The male fled in his vehicle prior to police arrival.
The suspect male is described as: Caucasiaon / 5'10 / 45-50 years old
• Wearing a light coloured shirt and grey pants.
If you witnessed this assault or are able to identify the male involved please contact the lead investigator, Constable Laura Smith at 778-545-4800.
In 1922 the Surrey Police department petitioned Surrey Council to build a holding cell and Police substation in White Rock. The result was a building at the foot of the pier that would end up being one of the most diversely used buildings in White Rock.
In the early 1930s the White Rock Library moved into the building and shared it with the police department until 1951. In the early 1960s the Chamber of Commerce took over the building and it became a tourist information centre as well as a gallery used by the local Council of Women and the White Rock Painting and Sketch Club. In 1980 a new public washroom was built on the site.
In its 55 years it had been a jail, morgue, library, bathroom, meeting hall, tourist centre, and art gallery.
Quite a career for such a humble little building!
The quaint police jail and library at the foot of the pier in the early 1930s
In its final version as the Chamber of Commerce Tourist Information centre the local Council of Women, and the White Rock Painting and Sketch Club used the building extensively.
March 4, 2026
Coldest Night Of The Year - The Numbers Are In
Former White Rock Mayor DARRYL WALKER joins current White Rock councillors TREVEYLAN/MANNING/BAINS
White Rock consistently has been in the Top 3 fundraising walks across Canada.
SOURCES Coldest Night Of The Year annual fundraising walk was a huge success on the weekend.
When the donations were counted the event raised over $215,000.00 with donations still coming in.
The White Rock Baptist Church came in with the top fundraising team of $48,000.00 while ROSE BLOCK was the largest single walk group with a donation of $9,000.00
Surrey Spring Clean Up / Free Large Item Pickup Program
Get large items, including furniture, stoves and mattresses, picked up for free.
Eligibility & annual limits
Households with City waste collection: up to 6 items per year.
Households with registered secondary suites: up to 8 items per year.
The item count resets to zero each year, and unused pickups cannot be carried over.
Items placed at curbside without a scheduled pickup may be considered illegally dumped and are subject to fines.
Special Council Meeting And Public Hearing For Official Community Plan Bylaw
A Special Council meeting and Public Hearing was held last afternoon at our community centre/council chambers for Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 2511.
A number of members of the public took the time to appear in person or to submit letters to the city reflecting their visions for the future development of White Rock.
Following the PUBLIC HEARING White Rock council reconvened the meeting of council to either adopt the presented Official Community Plan, or to defer a decision.
Councillor TREVEYLAN put forward a motion to defer the decision until the next regular council meeting which will be on Monday March 8.
The vote was supported unanimously.
The meeting ended with staff reminding council they could not receive any new information now that the decision had been deferred.
The City of White Rock invites submissions from local artists for its 2026 Street Banner Program
Applicants are encouraged to explore one or more of this year’s themes: Nature; The City; History; Arts + Culture. Selected designs will be displayed for two years, rotating between spring–summer and fall–winter seasons.
“The Street Banner Program offers a unique opportunity to highlight the deep connection local artists have to White Rock,” said Mayor Megan Knight. “We welcome submissions from anyone interested in helping bring colour and character to our neighbourhoods.”
Street banners featuring community artwork are showcased across four neighbourhoods:
Uptown
Five Corners
West Beach
East Beach
The program is open to residents of White Rock and South Surrey, with applications accepted until March 22, 2026.
Submissions will be reviewed by a volunteer adjudication committee made up of community members, Public Art and Culture Advisory Committee representatives, and local artists. Selected artists will receive an honorarium and a printed street banner featuring their design.
