You probably did not get to see the new tourism campaign designed to help attract FIFA World Cup visitors to the City of Surrey. Launched last Thursday by Discover Surrey, the marketing organization for the City of Surrey, it featured the catch phrase "Surrey, Not Sorry." Unfortunately this went over like the proverbial lead balloon and after an outpouring of negative feedback from residents and criticism by Mayor Brenda Locke, the campaign was taken down and scrubbed from the Discover Surrey website. While the phrase was certainly edgy, it failed to properly reflect the nature of the city and came with a defensive posture that alluded to negative connotations about Surrey. This campaign reminds me of then White Rock councillor Gordie Hogg's brilliant slogan decades ago "Living in White Rock means never having to say you're Surrey." To be quite honest, I'm surprised that the City By The Sea does not still use Mr. Hogg's rather biting slogan about their surrounding neighbour.
I have heard that the video Discover Surrey produced to help attract FIFA visitors is very well produced and puts the City in a very positive light. The problem was not the visuals but the wording with the Surrey Not Sorry. What they need is a slogan that is direct, smart and funny that people can get behind. I have a motto I've been using for the City of Surrey for years now that I think would hit the mark. It is short, simple, plus easy to remember and understand, "Yes Surrey!" It is based on the old saying "Yes Siree" that first originated in the mid 1800s. It has a variety of spellings, yes siree, yes sirree, yessiree and yessirree that all are an enthusiastic positive response likened to "Yes Sire" or "Yes Sir." You may also know it from western movies and country ballads where Yessirree-Bob is also used. No matter the spelling, "Yes Surrey" has the same pronunciation and connotation that would be a great way to bring attention to the City and the brand.
I know plenty about catchy phrases and alternative spellings for Surrey through my years of running Surrey Shirts. I produced all of the edgy, funny and also deadly serious t-shirts that we sell. Several of these were seen by City Hall as portraying a negative image of Surrey when in fact they were statements about the gun violence problem that continues to plague our city to this day. Our designs including I Love Surrey, Tough Love, Surrey Byrd, I Love Surrey Girls, Surrey City and Surrey Sheriff use an abbreviated form of Surrey that is "SRY." Not only was this necessary for some of the designs, its connection with the short version used in texting for "sorry" was an inside joke. Surrey Shirts began when I wanted to buy a shirt with "Surrey" on it but I found that nothing was available. When I made my own, a pin striped baseball jersey with the Surrey Swoosh logo. It instantly got attention and we quickly started to make shirts for the people of Surrey. After our website initially went viral, we have continued to make Surrey apparel for residents and visitors and are proud to do so.
It is actually quite funny that Discover Surrey never figured out that "Yes Surrey" could be cleverly used to help market the city. If they had visited the Surrey.ca website they would have found the following posting for YES Surrey. It's the Youth Event Squad (YES), a group of youth who work closely with City of Surrey staff to help plan and deliver events by and for young people. YES members share youth perspectives, contribute ideas, and help shape events to ensure they are engaging, inclusive, and meaningful for Surrey’s youth community. You can join YES and work alongside City of Surrey staff to help plan and deliver events for young people. As a YES member, you will build leadership and teamwork skills, gain hands‑on experience in event planning and civic engagement, earn volunteer hours, and see your ideas come to life through City‑led initiatives. Applicants must be 13–18 years old and available to attend meetings at Surrey City Hall every other Wednesday from 4:30–6:30pm. Applications are open until May 15 at 11:59pm. After applications close, the City of Surrey youth team will follow up regarding next steps.
I will ensure that this TNT and the "Yes Surrey" slogan is brought to the attention of Discover Surrey. Hopefully they will see the merits of this simple yet effective saying that has a long and commonly used meaning. With a quick voice over, their ad campaign can get back on track with little cost or delay. The World Cup is coming and the sooner they can put this marketing debacle behind them, the better. I believe that the "Yes Surrey" play on words would be a winner and help to put the City in a good light. If it happens quickly, this negative "Surrey, Not Sorry" fiasco could become a newsworthy story with a positive outcome, helping to spread the word about "Yes Surrey!" and it's enthusiastic message. If they need somebody to make t-shirts to assist with the promotion, I know an apparel company who's motto is "We Cover Surrey" that would be glad to help them.
Here are a few websites related to this TNT that you may want to visit for more context and details.
A Special Council meeting to consider final adoption of the 2026 - 2030 Financial Plan takes place on Monday, April 20 at 4 p.m. in Council Chambers at the White Rock Community Centre.
At a time when the majority of restaurants in the Lower Mainland are fighting to keep their heads above water, the new restaurant openings on the White Rock waterfront show no sign of slowing down.
Over on EAST BEACH/Marine Drive "FUSION" has opened in the old DELUXE location. Whereas DELUXE occupied both levels in their previous short lived incarnation, FUSION will only operate on the lower level.
According to the husband wife team owners, FUSION felt like a perfect name for their new restaurant, as it's menu will have a mixture of Malaysian, Chinese and Italian dishes.
Back at WEST BEACH burger lovers anxiously await the opening of CHAI BAR.
The Chai Bar is centrally located across from Memorial Park on Marine Drive.
Further East from THE CHAIR BAR in the old locale of the ITALIAN TOUCH (and many more) it appears judging by the printing on their sign this new restaurant may be serving Arabic food.
April 18, 2026
Public Notice: Road Closures & Traffic Changes for the White Rock Farmers’ Market
Road Closures:
• Russell Avenue (Johnston Rd. to Foster St.)
• Johnston Road (Russell Ave. to Thrift Ave.)
Every Sunday from April 19 to October 11, 2026
Traffic control hours: Approximately 7 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
What to Expect:
• Clearly marked detour routes around the market area
• Traffic Control Persons on site to assist vehicles and pedestrians
• Driveway access maintained where possible
• Temporary no parking restrictions may be in place (advance notice provided)
All roads will reopen following market tear down each Sunday.
Thank you for your patience.
Gas Be Gone
The last gas station in White Rock's town centre the PETRO CANADA service station located at Thrift Avenue and Johnston road will close up operations effective April 30.
Many local residents relied on the popular gas station as it was the last full service outlet on the Semiahmoo Peninsula.
The service portion of the gas bar will remain open for the foreseeable future.
April 16, 2026
White Rock Is Never Having To Say You're Surrey
For years the phrase "White Rock is never having to say you're Surrey" has been a popular saying, at least in White Rock.
It only took a couple of decades but it appears Surrey is ready to fight back with a whole new programs of WE'RE SURREY. NOT SORRY!
SURREY has created an incredibly detailed website title DISCOVER SURREY.
Touché Surrey. Well played.
The website is broken down into very easy to read sections of Things To Do/Eat & Drink/Plan Your Trip/Events in Surrey.
A quick check on Things To Do..... there is a link for "10 Things To Do In Crescent Beach"
The dining section in DISCOVER SURREY features hundreds of features on the various dining establishments in Surrey. The personal highlight for me was discovering what appears to be a family run authentic Mexican restaurant up Whalley way.
City Council on Monday unanimously approved a motion requesting B.C.’s Inspector of Municipalities to hold a public inquiry into concerns related to governance and accountability within Metro Vancouver regional entities. “This is not about politics. It’s about accountability,” Mayor Locke added. “No public institution funded by taxpayers should be beyond scrutiny. If Metro Vancouver’s governance is sound, a public inquiry will confirm that. If it is not, the public has every right to know, and reforms must follow.”
The motion cites concerns regarding financial stewardship, fairness to member municipalities, the withholding of important financial, engineering, environmental, and other records from Surrey-appointed board directors, wasteful use of corporate assets, and compliance with legal and contractual obligations.
The motion also requests that the Inspector’s review extend not only to the broader conduct at issue, but also to any bylaws, decisions, and actions of the Metro Vancouver Regional Board, the Greater Vancouver Water District, and the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District that may have furthered those matters. The motion further requests that Metro Vancouver pay the costs of the inquiry.
April 14, 2026
The Terminator DOUG Is Back
Former Surrey mayor DOUG MCCALLUM has thrown his hat back into the mayoral race in Surrey.
All municipalities and cities in British Columbia go to the polls In October to give councils a new 4 year mandate.
MCCALLUM joins the list of already announced mayoral and slate candidates headed individually by LINDA ANNIS, MIKE STARCHUCK and BRENDA LOCKE.
- Two community members appeared before council with concerns of increasingly exterior lights on condos and houses.
- New Westminster Labour Council / Day of Mourning for workers injured on the job will be held in New Westminster April 28.
- Update on food cart program on our waterfront this summer. Council members asked staff to revisit the program to encourage a South Asian food cart be added to the mix.
- Corporate report on Westcoasters Car Club car show part of this year's 75th annual Sea Festival. Council unanimously approved using the three lots on West Beach from Oxford to Bay view street to host hundreds of vintage, custom cars and hot rods.
- Pickleball Fees for Centennial pickleball courts will now be in place. The White rock Pickleball association will pay a small annual fee in order to regulate use of the pickleball courts in Centennial Park.
- Traffic calming on Marine Drive between Cypress Street and Finlay street. This spring engineering will install split speed cushions as an interim traffic calming solution to speeding along Marine Drive.
- White Rock financial plan 2026-2030 First, second and third reading
- Proposal for Official Community Plan Amendment was approved 4-3 with Mayor Knight and councillors Cheung and Lawrence voting in opposition. Staff will now take the council recommendations for density changes, create a report bring it back to council for approval, and then schedule another and hopefully final Open House for community feedback.
- Hogg Park Community Garden / request for staff report on feasibility approved. Initially staff informed council just to have water back on the city property would run over $50,000.00
