As I mentioned in my last TNT, the unofficial slogan for the White Rock Sun is "You can't make this s--t up!" Case in point is this TNT about yet another case of bureaucratic incompetence and overreach, this time from the federal Department of Transportation that greatly affects the City of White Rock. At issue is the festive lighting that adorns Canada's longest and oldest pier. From the City's website "The City installed accent lights to the pier in 2018 to add to the beauty and enjoyment of the Pier experience and to celebrate annual occasions and/or build awareness for registered not-for-profit causes that are important to the White Rock community and its visitors." These coloured lights are in addition to the multiple light standards that run the length of the pier on either side of the structure that carry high wattage white lights similar to what you see on our streets.
In 2021 Mayor and Council voted to upgrade the lighting system to allow them to be programmed without having to make changes to each and every archway. They also opened up a calendar to use the lights to mark specific days and events that you can view at https://www.whiterockcity.ca/934/White-Rock-Pier-Lights . Last year there were 48 different colours and combinations used to mark these days and various celebrations. For anyone who has walked the pier at night or marveled at how it appears from the hillside, these coloured lights have added a whole new look to the once drab pier that also reflects off the water, similar to how the lights of White Rock look from the pier and Semiahmoo Bay.
So here is the made up problem. Some unnamed bureaucrat from Transport Canada contacted the City of White Rock to inform them that under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act, the White Rock Pier cannot display red or green lights at any time as these colors are reserved for navigation markers. Amazingly, without questioning this request, asking the Liberal Transport Minister to intervene or simply telling this pencil pushing idiot to pound sand, the White Rock Council voted to simply roll over and ban red and green from the lights at the pier. Of the 48 different colours used for these lights last year, 18 of them used red and green colours either by themselves or in combinations. Now ask yourself, what two colours used together are synonymous with Christmas? If you guessed red and green, go to the head of the class.
It gets even more absurd when you look at the light combinations that the City of White Rock is now looking to use on the pier for various days and celebrations in 2026. The last time I looked red was the colour of love but Valentine's Day on the pier will now be celebrated with pink and purple lights. St. Patrick's Day, synonymous with the colour green around the world, will instead be teal lights in the City By The Sea. For Canada Day the red and white Maple Leaf flag will instead be celebrated with dark orange and white lights. BC Day that was previously celebrated with blue, yellow and red lights will now be just blue, yellow and white. Pride Week will be celebrated with rainbow lights, minus the red and green of course which leaves orange, yellow, blue and purple as a really odd rainbow. Remembrance Day, on the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, White Rock Legion and Cloverdale legion, plus the 75th anniversary of the Crescent Legion will be celebrated with orange lights instead of poppy red.
With navigation, both boats and aircraft are marked dusk to dawn with green lights on the starboard (left) side and red lights on the port (right) side. I inquired about the White Rock pier dilemma with my buddy Captain Mike who currently operates a large fuel barge tug through the inland waters of B.C. When I told him what had happened he thought it was absolutely absurd. Yes, red and green colours are used for navigation but not in the way that they are displayed on the pier. First off, the breakwater at the end of the pier has a flashing white light on it marking it as an obstacle. There are over 32 high powered white light standards positioned along the length of the pier with the decorative lights across the archways being low wattage that would never be used for navigational purposes. If anything, the archway lights make the pier even more visible and no mariner worth his salt would ever confuse the lights along this 1,570 foot long pier as being navigational aids or markers.
This lunacy about the pier lights can easily be extended to other events on, above or around the water. The Christmas sail past that happens every year in Crescent Beach and White Rock features vessels that have been brightly adorned with Christmas lights. From photos of these boats posted online from previous years, red and green appear to be the predominant colour. I guess these events should be scuttled or sailors told to ditch the Christmas coloured lights, even though the bright red and green marker lights on the hulls are still plainly visible. Under Transport Canada's guidelines, the fireworks used in White Rock for Canada Day and the Sea Festival should exclude the colours red and green since they explode over water where they could be confused for a navigational aid. All of this of course is just as absurd as ditching green and red from the pier lights at the whim of a nameless and obviously shameless bureaucrat.
What White Rock needs to do is to get their new Liberal M.P. Ernie Klassen involved and have him contact the Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon to look into this bizarre and ridiculous situation that makes a mockery out of so many notable days and celebrations that people want to experience in White Rock. City Hall needs to file an appeal with the Transportation Appeal Tribunal of Canada (TATC) that provides a recourse mechanism to administrative actions taken by the Minister of Transport. Until this situation gets resolved, White Rock should quite simply turn off all of the ornamental lights on the pier as a way to send a message to Ottawa that this policy needs to be altered so as to not include low wattage ornamental lighting and fireworks. If push comes to shove, White Rock could even turn off the lamps along the pier, similar to what the City of Surrey did to the 220 foot long Wickson Pier in Crescent Beach where they were actually removed. This was done as a way to deter nocturnal partying and pier jumping, regardless of the threat it poses to boats travelling to and from the nearby marina at night.
Naturally yours,
Don Pitcairn
I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People
Local News
December 07, 2025
Baby Please Don't Go
Fraser Health is providing an important update to all expectant patients and families regarding maternity services at Peace Arch Hospital.
Because of a temporary shortage of obstetrician-gynecologist physicians at Peace Arch and Hospital on select dates over the holiday season, people in labour who had planned to give birth at these hospitals may be guided to another maternity site to ensure they receive safe, uninterrupted care.
Patients who are registered to deliver their babies at Peace Arch Hospital have been contacted by their care provider, so they know what to expect and feel fully supported. If they are in labour or have a pregnancy concern, patients are asked to first call the Maternity Unit, and they will be directed to the appropriate site for assessment.
If it is an emergency, patients should call 9-1-1.
She Said - He Said
Statement from the Mayor: 2026 Surrey police budget
As Mayor, a top priority of mine has always been to improve public safety while protecting taxpayers from costly tax hikes.
When it became clear that the province made the decision to move forward with the transition to the Surrey Police Service, we worked hard to secure $250 million in provincial funding to address anticipated increased costs. Since that time, we have done everything in our power to support a transition to a new, modern, and leading police force.
Late yesterday, the City of Surrey released the provisional budget from the provincially appointed Surrey Police Board. The Board’s request includes a very significant $91-million increase over the previous year’s budget. If approved, that would represent a roughly 18% property tax increase for Surrey property owners.
As Mayor, I am not prepared to support this budget now as presented. It is extraordinarily excessive, and Surrey taxpayers cannot afford it.
Our staff and Council will conduct all proper due diligence to review and scrutinize the provisional budget and work with the Board to ensure we collectively fulfill our governance responsibilities with accountability, transparency, and fiduciary prudence. And while the proposed budget is excessive, I remain committed to supporting a meaningful increase in funding to hire additional officers, as we’ve done over the past three years, to enhance resources for policing in Surrey, especially at this critical time to target priorities such as the current wave of extortions in the city.
Surrey taxpayers want to see action to improve public safety, and we’re prepared to make those investments. But they also expect us to be prudent with public money and avoid significant tax hikes at a time when affordability remains a top priority.
Statement from Surrey Police Board Chair Harley Chappell
Harley Chappel / Chief Semiahmoo First Nations
The Surrey Police Board’s role is to determine what is required for adequate and effective policing and to complete the Surrey policing transition, then draft a provisional budget that estimates what this will cost. Council’s role is to find funding sources for policing from provincial contributions to support the policing transition, reserves it earmarked for building SPS, carry-over unspent money from this year’s policing budget and, potentially, a modest property tax increase.
In preparing an initial draft of the budget, the Board understood that Council’s approval of the draft budget is not automatic. We anticipated ongoing dialogue and working collaboratively with Council to review the draft budget, similar to what occurs with other municipalities and municipal police boards. Unfortunately, the Mayor appears to want to take a different approach.
We hope that she and Council reconsider. The Board has requested a joint meeting to review the draft budget and the availability of all or some of the $69.9M in funding that would avoid a property tax increase.
With all of the things happening in the City—including public safety concerns about extortions and Mayor Locke’s call for 150 additional police officers to counter extortions—the people of Surrey will want to understand how these will be resourced and to see their Board and Council working together to ensure the policing budget meets their policing priorities.
City flags were lowered to half-mast yesterday for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, to honour and remember the 14 women who were murdered, and 14 who were injured, in the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre.
The Christopherson Steps remains closed
The second set of repairs was to have been completed by Dec. 6th. There is no time frame on when they will now reopen. Also an additional 2 feet of metal fencing is being added to the top of the original fence making it harder to climb over the fence
December 06, 2025
SPS Investigates Serious Collision
Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating a serious single motor vehicle collision in South Surrey.
On December 5, 2025, at approximately 10:35 am, SPS received reports of a single motor vehicle collision in the area of 30 Avenue and 144 Street, Surrey. SPS members attended the scene along with Surrey Fire and BCEHS. The driver of the motor vehicle was transported to an area hospital in serious condition.
SPS Collision Investigation Unit has assumed conduct of the investigation. While the cause of the collision is still under investigation, it appears at this stage that it was caused by a medical emergency, and impairment is not believed to be a factor.
144 Street between 30 Avenue and 32 Avenue will be closed for approximately two hours while the investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident, or in possession of dashcam footage, is asked to contact the SPS non-emergency line at 604-599-0502 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 and quote file number 25-107788 (SP).
Give To Our Local Food Bank
If you missed the live broadcast yesterday, the phone lines and donation links are still up and running. Remember when you make your donation indicate you would like the money to go to the south Surrey Food Bank.
Thank You
David Chesney/Editor
Start a new holiday tradition, and join us for Make the Season Kind, a full day of family-friendly programming and festivities at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Vancouver, in support of communities in need and food banks in B.C.
For 38 years, British Columbians have been generously donating to food banks at CBC/Radio-Canada's fundraiser, raising more than $21 million for food banks in B.C. since 1986.
Putting kindness to work. When you make your donation you are able to direct your contribution to the Food Bank here on the Peninsula.
By mid-day yesterday JOHN RUSTAD announced he would not fight his ousting as party leader.
Interim TREVOR HALFORD stated the party hopes to have a new leader in the next 6 months.
HALFORD also stated his leadership was interim and he would not be seeking the party leader at the leadership convention in the New Year.
MLA Trevor Halford
Rumours began circulating yesterday morning that BC Conservative Party leader JOHN RUSTAD was out as the leader of the party. Despite receiving 70% approval from the membership at the summer party convention, the majority of the caucus (elected officials) of the party had circulated a letter stating they had lost confidence in JOHN RUSTAD.
The stated reason in the letter was RUSTAD was professionally incapacitated.
Emerging from the closed caucus meeting in Victoria local MLA for White Rock/South Surrey TREVOR HALFORD informed the media he had been elected as the interim leader for the party.
Confusion continues to abound whether or not the by laws for the party would allow such a coup. The Legislature was adjourned one day early yesterday and will not return to VIctoria until February.
RUSTAD claims he may fight this all the way to the courts. Stay Tuned.
While fireworks are a popular part of our annual celebrations, fireworks have also raised concerns related to traffic congestion and safety. Recognizing both the enjoyment and challenges fireworks present, City Council is seeking public input through an online survey.
Visit www.talkwhiterock.ca/fireworks and provide your feedback. The survey is open until Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
Council will review and discuss the results at a Council Meeting in January and look forward to making a decision that reflects both the spirit of celebration and our responsibility to safety for residents and visitors.
Background
At the November 17, 2025, Council meeting, the 2026 Special Events corporate report was brought forward to City Council, requesting direction for the use of fireworks at Canada Day by the Bay and the White Rock Sea Festival and Semiahmoo Days in 2026 and beyond. Council directed staff to create a survey on Talk White Rock for residents and visitors for their input.
All Question and Answer Period submissions and their responses can be viewed on the City website.
Delegations
Council received delegations from:
Members of the Christmas on the Peninsula Society, requesting that the fee for the White Rock Community Centre remain at its current level for their rental each year.
A member of the public discussing the 2025 by-election and election planning for 2026.
Translink Presentation
A TransLink representative presented to Council on recent investments in the South of the Fraser region, including White Rock, and outlined upcoming plans. The update highlighted the King George Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project, which will terminate at Semiahmoo Town Centre. View the presentation here.
Community Policing Support Vehicle
Council reviewed a request from Community Policing for partial funding of an electric mobile support vehicle. The Society has been fundraising for the purchase and asked the City of White Rock to provide matching support, up to $14,000. Council approved this request.
White Rock Library 2026 Operating Hours
Council approved new operating hours for the White Rock Library for 2026, which will extend operating hours on Thursdays (9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)
Contract Award – 2025 Sanitary And Drainage Rehabilitation
Council considered the annual Sanitary and Drainage Rehabilitation Program and approved key contracts and funding to advance the project. The Sanitary and Drainage Rehabilitation Program is an annual capital initiative that renews the City’s sewer and drainage infrastructure using trenchless and open-cut methods.
Council approved awarding the construction contract to Superior City Contracting Services Ltd. for $488,742 (excluding GST) and awarded construction management services to R.F. Binnie & Associates for $29,690 (excluding GST). In addition, Council authorized a contingency of $155,000, representing approximately 30% of construction costs, to support the project.
Opposition To Bill M216 – Professional Reliance Act
Council received a staff report analyzing Bill M 216 (Professional Reliance Act) and directed staff to formally communicate Council’s opposition to the Province, the Surrey‑White Rock MLA, and the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM). Council further instructed that a letter be sent outlining its advocacy for meaningful consultation with local governments prior to implementing systemic changes to development approval processes and requesting safeguards such as mandatory peer review for high‑risk projects and clear accountability mechanisms.
Council Policy 168 – Lighting The White Rock Pier
Council endorsed an amendment to Policy 168 following a request from Transport Canada. Transport Canada has advised the city that, as stated in the Canada Navigable Waters Act, the pier cannot display red and/or green lights at any time, as those colours are reserved for navigation markers.
Bylaws Receiving Final Reading
Council approved the following bylaws:
Bylaws 2549 and 2564: Council and Committee Procedure Bylaw
Amendments will allow for an alternate approval process for agenda items coming from Council members, as well as regulate the use of cell phones by members of Council at Council meetings.
Bylaw 2554: 2026 Fees and Charges Bylaw
A bylaw to impose fees and charges for various services offered by the City that are not included in any other City Bylaw.
Motions
Council endorsed motions on the following topics:
Council Policy 106 – Amend the annual allowance for attending and representing the City at local community events from $1,200 to $600 per Councillor starting in 2026, with the savings redirected to reduce overall expenditures in light of current economic challenges and the need to limit non‑essential spending.
Pier Donation Box – Direct staff to remove the donation box, as it has resulted in a net loss in fundraising efforts for the Pier.
Grant Opportunity – Direct staff to explore a potential grant through SWIM DRINK FISH to support an outdoor pool in White Rock (currently being investigated through a swimming pool feasibility study).
The next Regular Council meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, and will be held in the Gallery Room at the White Rock Community Centre (15154 Russell Ave, White Rock).
IHIT investigating fatal shooting in Guildford
Jaskaran Birring
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) is investigating the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man in the Guildford area of Surrey.
Background:
On November 28, 2025, at approximately 11:40 p.m., RCMP Surrey Provincial Operations Support Unit (SPOSU) frontline officers responded to reports of a shooting near 152nd Street and 104 Avenue in Surrey.
Responding officers located a male suffering from life-threatening injuries. Despite life-saving measures, the man died at the scene.
IHIT has taken conduct of this investigation and continues to work in partnership with the SPOSU, the Surrey Police Service (SPS), the Integrated Forensic Identification Services (IFIS) and the BC Coroners Service.
Update:
IHIT is identifying the victim as 26-year-old Jaskaran Birring of Chilliwack in an effort to advance the investigation. Mr. Birring had previous interactions with the police and was believed to be involved in the drug trade.
Early indications suggest this was a targeted incident related to organized crime. Investigators are working diligently to determine the circumstances surrounding the homicide and to identify all parties involved.
Approximately fifteen minutes after the shooting, a white Dodge Ram pickup truck was located fully engulfed in flames in the area of 136th Street and 115 Avenue in Surrey. IHIT investigators are seeking information and video evidence from any witnesses who may have been at either location on November 28 between 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is urged to call the IHIT information line at 1-877-551-IHIT (4448) or by email at ihitinfo@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
White Rock Hosts Official Community Plan Update
The community is invited to view the proposed draft changes to the Official Community Plan at a Community Information Meeting on December 16 at the White Rock Community Centre.
On October 20, draft updates to the Official Community Plan (“OCP”) bylaw were presented to Council. On November 3, Council directed staff to provide an opportunity for the public to view the proposed draft changes to the OCP (view the November 3 Council meeting).
Community Information Meeting
Date: Tuesday, December 16
Time: 4 to 8 p.m.
Location: White Rock Community Centre, 15154 Russell Avenue
Highlights of the OCP 2025 Update project
The proposed updates to the draft Official Community Plan bylaw incorporate:
Feedback from residents from previous open houses, pop-up engagements and surveys conducted between February and September 2025 for the OCP 2025 Update and the North Bluff Road Corridor Study projects.
Proposed updates to land use designations and policies related to the North Bluff Road Corridor Plan.
Provincially mandated requirements based on the City’s 2024 Housing Needs Report.
Background
The City is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP) in response to new provincial requirements introduced in 2023. However, it is key to ensure that the OCP continues to reflect the community’s needs and priorities. To achieve this, through a series of public engagement initiatives, the City engaged the community to evaluate how existing OCP housing and associated policies can be revised to fulfill new legislative requirements in a manner that will align with the community’s current goals and priorities.
Additionally, the proposed updates incorporate land use designation changes and policy updates from the recently endorsed North Bluff Road Corridor Plan, as directed by Council at the July 21, 2025 meeting.
FOOD BANK DRIVE | Families and Fans, we need your help in December!
Dec. 6, 13, 20 & 22, Please bring non-perishable food items to these next home games at Centennial Arena for Sources Community Resource Centres
Dear Friends and Supporters of the White Rock City Orchestra,
The holiday season is nearly here, and we’re thrilled to invite you to our festive Christmas concerts:
Merry {Nostalgic} Christmas & a Happy {Viennese} New Year!
Friday, December 12 at 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 13 at 2:00 PM
St. Mark’s Anglican Church, Ocean Park
(12953 20 Ave, Surrey, BC)
Join the White Rock City Orchestra for a joyful and heartwarming celebration of the season! The first half of our program will transport you to old-world Vienna with traditional holiday waltzes and timeless elegance. The second half brings holiday cheer with Christmas classics you know and love, plus a fun, festive Sing-a-long for all ages.
Harley Chappel / Chief Semiahmoo First Nations
MLA Trevor Halford
Jaskaran Birring
